Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an XML-based vector image format for two-dimensional graphics with support for interactivity and animation. The SVG specification is an open standard developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) since 1999. SVG images and their behaviors are defined in XML text files.

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HTML 5 is the structure of our web pages. It is the markup that represents the DOM (document object model).

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In this course, we will dive into a number of different ways we can create, optimize and integrate an SVG icon set. There are pros and cons to each method, so we’ll dissect each approach so you can make an informed decision for your project. We will learn how to use build tools to automate the process of creating, manipulating and optimizing icons. We’ll take a look at how to use CSS to manipulate styles on an SVG and even how to integrate your SVG icons in a React project.

Just like a bitmap image, you can compress an SVG by removing various pieces of code that aren’t necessary to it rendering properly. This reduces file size & download time, ultimately leading to a faster page load speed. You’ll learn how to automate the process of compressing your SVGs using `svgo` in the command line.

For a full list of options and plugins available to use with `svgo`, [check out their documentation](https://github.com/svg/svgo).

Note: This lesson assumes you have `npm` installed.

Optimize SVGs for Better Performance using svgo

Since an SVG is really just an image, it can be included on a page just like any other image, using an `img` tag. This is simple to implement, easy to resize and has the benefit of being cacheable.

There are a couple downsides to this approach, however. You can’t modify the SVG attributes such as fill or stroke; once the icon is included, there isn’t much you can do to change its appearance. Also, each icon you include creates an HTTP request, potentially impacting page load speed.

If you’re looking for an easy way to implement just a couple of icons that don’t need to change, this is a viable option.

Include an SVG with an Image Tag

Learn how to set an SVG as the background image of an element. Background images can be resized by changing the `width` and `height` of the element containing background image, so it’s easy to create multiple sizes of the same icon. 

However, each background image creates an HTTP request, so be aware of your page load speed. With this approach, you are unable to change attributes on the SVG such as fill or stroke.

If you want the ability to display icons at different sizes and don’t need to change their appearance or their interaction styles (such as on `:hover`), this could be a good option for you.

Add an SVG as a Background Image

Learn how to set an elements background image to embedded SVG. This method has an added benefit of not incurring any HTTP requests, as the SVG is simply embedded into the CSS. They can also be resized by changing the `width` and `height` of the element containing background image, so it’s easy to create multiple sizes of the same icon using this approach.

If you’re looking for the ability to display icons at different sizes and want to modify the SVG interaction styles (such as on `:hover`), this is could be a good option. One negative to adding the interaction styles is that it requires you to duplicate selectors and the SVG markup; the more icons you have, the larger your stylesheets will become.


Add an SVG as an Embedded Background Image

In this lesson, we’ll explore the process of combining all of your SVG icons into one SVG sprite, to be included directly into markup. We’ll use the command line, along with the `svgo` and `svg-sprite-generator` npm packages to automate the process of compressing the SVGs and creating the sprite.

_Note:_ This lesson assumes you have `npm` installed.

Combine Multiple SVGs into an SVG Sprite

Learn how to use an SVG sprite to display your icons. Sprites are great because they add only a single HTTP request, are easy to add to markup and can be sized easily with the help of the `background-size` property.

This is a good option if you know the icons aren’t going to change much and you don’t mind manually editing the SVG sprite.

However, adding/editing icons once a sprite is created is cumbersome to do by hand, because you have to know the size and position of each icon and modify accordingly.

Add an SVG Sprite as a Background Image

n this lesson, you’ll learn how to write a SCSS mixin to generate styles for variations of background-images. We’ll look at using SCSS lists to interpolate dynamic class names and property attributes and output icons at different sizes.

If you need the ability to add or edit icons on a regular basis, having a SCSS mixin do the heavy lifting of calculating `background-position`, `background-size` and creating selectors will save you lots of time and manual work.

_Note:_ this lesson assumes you have an understanding of SCSS, mixins and already have a process to compile SCSS.

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Automate SVG Sprite Background Image Variations with a SCSS Mixin

In this lesson, we’ll learn how to embed an SVG sprite into markup and reference it throughout the page using the SVG “use” tag and fragment identifiers.

This has become the standard way of displaying SVG icons because of the ability to dynamically style individual parts (especially interaction states). Also, because the SVG is just markup embedded on the page, it creates no extra HTTP requests. However, the block of SVG needs repeating on every page where icons are used.

Embed SVG Directly In Markup with the “Use” Tag

Learn how to load a single SVG icon set from an external URL in order to take advantage of caching. This has the added benefit of not needing to include the same chunk of SVG on every page where icons are displayed. Since it’s the same resource being requested for each icon, the browser can cache the file as well.

_Note:_ The SVG must be hosted on the same domain as the requested page.

Some older/less feature complete browsers don’t support this functionality. If you only care about the latest browsers, you can get away with not using a JavaScript polyfill (but you should still provide some sort of fallback). However, the [svgxuse polyfill](https://github.com/Keyamoon/svgxuse) can help provide a cross browser experience, with the added necessity of a JavaScript dependency.

Style an SVG Icon with CSS

 Learn one way to render SVG icons as a React component. You’ll learn about the dynamic nature of SVG by passing props to a component that modify the icons properties such as colors and size.

You'll learn how to set up a stateless functional component, set up prop types and add a set of default props.

One benefit to building an individual icon component is that only the SVG markup needed for that icon will be rendered, instead of having to load an entire set of icons and only using one of them. Also, different attributes can be overridden using props, making theming and integration simple.

Create an SVG Icon System

Damon Bauer

Course Content