Mxmln/blog

Where would you draw the line?

2010-03-27T01:25:00.000-07:00

As most freelancers, I work hard for a living. Helveticons took me over 600 hours to create, so I can't even begin to describe what I felt when the first purchase came through. Standing on your own feet makes you evaluate what to spend your hours on.

At the time I was working on Helveticons Extras, more iconsets in the same category started to arrive. I've always felt good about competition since it makes you work even harder on your own goals. The competition also seemed to aim for a different market segment than I did.

Shortly after releasing Helveticons Extras, one of the rivaling icon sets also released their second edition. I found this through some users on twitter comparing my iconset to his and pointing out some obvious similarities.

Strangely enough I had never really reflected about the similarities between the icon sets, but this made me look into it. So, I purchased these icon sets and made a table which compares Helveticons and Vital Vector. The result was rather disappointing, I felt almost breathless while looking at the comparison.

The reason I'm writing this and showing the comparison for public display is that I simply cannot tolerate anyone taking my icons and then re-selling them at a lower price. I have no sacks of gold for lawyers, nor time for such a lengthy process, but this clearly is a breach of my license agreement.

Here's a link to the comparison table that shows a side by side (and fill) comparison between the sets.
(updated 12:00 / 03-27-2010 with 10 more icon comparisons now a total of 80 icons)

Helveticons 245 Royalty-free icons

2009-08-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

I have been busy this summer releasing my biggest icon set yet, and this time its for sale. 245 Royalty-free vector glyphs / icons avalibe at Helveticons.ch. And im currently working on the next Helveticon set to be released this winter. Don't miss to download the 22 free Helveticons folders at the site.

Yo.se identity and interaction design

2009-02-19T03:17:00.000-08:00

I'm proud to say that Yo.se is now live for the public (invites only). Yo is a new bold swedish social web app. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the team and the creative process behind Yo. I am responsible for the identity and interaction design.

Netcom Icons, Commercial project

2008-10-13T04:45:00.000-07:00

I created these icons for the largest Norwegian mobile carrier, Netcom. In collaboration with Jimmy Royal. Work was short but sweet.

Little BIG Folders, A Knitted Os X Folder Replacement, 22 icons.

2008-09-07T10:05:00.000-07:00

Little BIG Folders, Yes Its a Completion of my concept Knitted folder idea i had wayback. I got alot of response from the community at macthemes to complete the folder set. As i worked on the folder i couldn't help associating it with Little BIG Planet™. An upcoming PLAYSTATION 3 game. The design direction in the game is handmade playful design. And that's exact the same style i was going for. After making a "Sac boy" as the user folder symbol. It was extremely clear to me that this was a Little BIG Planet™ Folder set. This is my tribute to the folks over at Media Molecule. An "unofficial" folder replacement for all the fans of Little BIG Planet™.

And the funny thing is i don't even own a PS3. I will miss out on this game, but not on the inspiration.

Desktop Preview

Download iContainer or Zip.

I love knitting, Icon Preview

2008-09-02T06:23:00.001-07:00

I love knitting, well not really but it is the name of my new concept for a folder style. well i don't know if il continue working on this one.. my time is limited as always.

IKEA - HYLLA, Mac Os X Dock

2008-05-26T03:21:00.000-07:00

Download Os X dock

Playfire - Gaming community, Logo designed

2008-04-24T06:29:00.000-07:00

Playfire is a new gaming community, And the founders asked me to design their new logo.

Playfire.com is currently in a closed invite only beta, and guess what i got 3 invites left. So if your a hardcore social gamer hit me up with a mail, maximilian.larsson [at] hyperisland.se and we could discuss our favourite games of all time.

WALL-E ❤ EVE Adium Icon

2008-04-08T05:20:00.000-07:00

Finaly got time to do an Adium icon of The Wall-E / Eve icon

Download The new Adium icon.

WALL-E ❤ EVE (Unofficial Icon set for Os X)

2008-03-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

This is the Unofficial icon set for the animated movie WALL-E. The set currently only contains EVE. I'm not going to spoil anything go watch the HD trailers at Apple.com. I just love how well made the characters in the movie are. I think i have watched the trailers about 50 times and counting. So this is my personal tribute to the movie and every one that had something to do with creating the movie. Great work Pixar & Disney, You inspire me. And i can't wait to see this movie.

( EVE is a great icon replacement for Os X Automator )

Download Icontainer or Zip.

Pain is Golden Icon Preview

2008-03-11T10:19:00.000-07:00

Just some random illustrations while exploring different styles for a client project.

Maybe il release this little golden fellow as an Os X icon someday.

折り紙 / Origami icons released

2008-02-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

This Origami icon set contains five paper cranes.

Download iContainer or Zip.

Blackmail, 14 icons released

2008-02-14T05:49:00.000-08:00

Only mail you dont want, And the only Mail replacement you ever wanted.

Download iContainer or Zip.

Mindfuck / Optical illusion icons released

2008-02-12T07:56:00.000-08:00

Mindfuck, Optical illusion, Impossible figures, Paradox design. Its all too confusing, A icon tribute to the Impossible figures father Oscar Reutersvärd, who was the first artist to make a Penrose triangle a.k.a. Tribar.

6 icons total in black and white variations.

Download iContainer or Zip.

Back in Black, 21 Folder Icons

2008-02-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

Back in Black Folder Replacement for Mac Os X, Black is never out of style.

"looks awesome in coverflow"

Download iContainer or .Zip

iTunes Replacement

2008-02-05T11:27:00.001-08:00

The era of Cd's is over, Digital music is here to stay. So associating music with Cd's is pretty odd in this digital world. I haven't bought a music cd since Y2K.
So i refreshed the old iTunes icon with a thing that is strongly associated with itunes, Coverflow!

Download iContainer or .Zip

Blackmail Preview

2008-01-16T13:25:00.000-08:00

Preview of Blackmail, Work in progress.

Mindfuck / Optical illusion icon

2008-01-15T04:24:00.000-08:00

Classic optical illusion, Still work in progress.

Gloominess Update, Now 50 icons

2008-01-13T14:43:00.000-08:00

Gloominess icon set expands to 50 icons after public demand.

Download iContainer or .Zip

Download Dōmo-kun Icon

2008-01-13T14:36:00.000-08:00

What would a sunday be without a Icon Release?

Download the Domokun icon

Download Gloominess Icons

2008-01-08T04:49:00.001-08:00

Download iContainer or .Zip

Weighted Companion Gloomy

2007-12-07T17:08:00.000-08:00

Portal meets Gloomy and as you can see the result is a Weighted Companion Gloomy. This icon will be release with the Gloominess icon pack.

Hyper Island Folder (Updated)

2007-11-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

This is a tribute to the best new media school in the world. I was a member of Crew 11 and sevrved 2 years in Hyper Island. This folder is for all the hard working people in Hyper Island. Keep your files organized.

Download .zip

The 7th Freedom Folder

2007-11-20T14:51:00.000-08:00

A folder icon for Mac os X 10.5 (Leopard). Made it pitchblack with digital blue light bursting out from the opening. Made several versions of this folder icon, work still under progress.

Gloominess icon preview

2007-11-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

Today i got some time to redeem that creative itch i got, So i made this tribute icon to the naughty adult bear Gloomy. Gloomy is originally created by the Japanese designer Mori Chack (森チャック) and owned by a Japanese company called PONY CANYON. This is a icon from one of my upcoming icon sets this one is called Gloominess. This is my tribute to the super cute Gloomy. Took about 5 hours from idea to completion on my iBook G4.

どーもくん / Dōmo-kun

2007-11-15T10:32:00.000-08:00

Made this minimalistic icon of Dōmo-kun, not yet to be released to the public but hey at least you can have a sneak peek. If you don't know what Dōmo-kun is click here. Also created a highresolution wallpaper.

Click the image for original version (2560 x 1600)

Chesterfield Leather Wallpaper

2007-11-14T10:46:00.001-08:00

Click the image for original version (1920 x 1200)

Chesterfield purple leather got this idea for a desktop wallpaper awhile back when I were in Tokyo, Japan. Scribbled down a note about the idea in my sketchbook, and today I got some free time to create it. Chesterfield has a classy feeling over it, made the wallpaper with a sexy touch of purple. Thought it would look good on my new MacBook Pro that will be arriving in a couple of days.

Hello world!

2007-09-11T01:43:00.001-07:00

Mxmln.com transforms from a portfolio in to a blog about the work of Maximilian Larsson. You can still find the old portfolio here.