How to Create Cute Cartoon Icons Using Midjourney

Creating custom icons for your projects doesn’t have to be complicated. With Midjourney, you can make adorable cartoon icons without advanced design skills.

In this post, I’ll show you how to create simple, cute cartoon icons that will add personality to your websites, apps, or social media.

Build Your Base Prompt for Midjourney

The foundation of creating great cartoon icons in Midjourney is a well-structured prompt. Here’s the base prompt I’ve found works consistently well:

A cute cartoon [subject] icon in [color] color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Let’s break down this prompt to understand why each element matters:

1. Subject Specification

A cute cartoon [subject] icon

This tells Midjourney exactly what you want to create. Being specific about the subject is crucial. For example, “octopus,” “bear face,” or “mushroom” gives clear direction.

2. Color Definition

in [color] color scheme

Defining a color scheme helps Midjourney create a cohesive look. You can specify a single color like “purple” or a combination like “orange and yellow” for more complex subjects.

3. Style Elements

simple lines with black outline edges, white background

This part defines the technical aspects of your icon. The black outlines create definition, while the white background ensures your icon is easy to use in different contexts.

4. Design Approach

The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design

This instructs Midjourney to create icons with a modern, clean look typical of vector graphics. The flat style works well for icons because it’s clear even at small sizes.

5. Specific Exclusions

–no shadows

This parameter tells Midjourney to avoid creating shadows, keeping the design truly flat and simple. It’s important for maintaining that clean cartoon look.

Example Prompts

Here are some example prompts I’ve used successfully. Each follows the same structure but creates a unique icon:

Octopus Icon

A cute cartoon octopus icon in purple color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Water Drop Icon

A cute water drop icon in blue color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Bear Face Icon

A cute cartoon bear face icon in brown color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Fire Icon

A cute cartoon fire icon in orange and yellow color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Mushroom Icon

A cute cartoon mushroom icon in red and white color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Carrot Icon

A cute cartoon carrot icon in orange color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Fish Icon

A cute cartoon fish icon in gray color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Cloud Icon

A cute cartoon cloud icon in blue color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Star Icon

A cute cartoon star icon in gold color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Diamond Icon

A cute cartoon diamond icon in red color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Penguin Icon

A cute cartoon penguin icon in black and white color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Bird Icon

A cute cartoon bird icon in yellow color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Car Icon

A cute cartoon car icon in red color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Dolphin Icon

A cute cartoon dolphin icon in blue color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Balloon Icon

A cute cartoon balloon icon in red color scheme, simple lines with black outline edges, white background. The illustration style should be flat, minimal with vector graphics and a simple design. –no shadows

Tips for Improving Your Icon Prompts

While the base prompt works well, you can make adjustments to get even better results:

Be Specific About Features

Instead of just saying “bear,” try “bear face with rounded ears.” The more specific you are about key features, the better Midjourney can understand your vision.

Try Different Color Combinations

Don’t limit yourself to single colors. Combinations like “red and white” for a mushroom or “black and white” for a penguin can create more interesting and recognizable icons.

Add Emotional Qualities

Words like “happy,” “sleepy,” or “curious” before your subject can give your icons more personality. For example: “A cute sleepy cartoon bear face icon…”

Test Style Variations

While the flat style works well, you might try variations like “kawaii style” or “chibi style” to get different types of cuteness in your icons.

Making cute cartoon icons with Midjourney is surprisingly simple once you understand how to structure your prompts. The key is consistency in your approach while allowing for creativity in your subjects and colors.

What cute cartoon icons will you create first? Start with something simple, and as you get more comfortable, try more complex subjects or create themed sets of icons for your projects.