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What makes a good icon?

July 1st, 2009

A well-designed icon is instantly recognizable, makes an impression, and is easy to learn and remember. Here are some guidelines that should be followed in order to create effective icons:

• Create the icon so it is easily associated with its meaning. For example, an icon that represents a function should clearly show what task is to be performed.  You may want to show the icon to others for feedback.  Don’t tell them its intended purpose.  If it’s a good icon they should be able to quickly identify it.  If they get it right away you’ve done your job.  If they don’t understand it take notes so you can revise it.
• Use universal imagery.  By using symbols that are already recognized as representing specific tasks and objects, it builds on the user’s prior knowledge and it will make it easier for users to use the program instead of making them learn new symbols.  Instead of using letters, words, or signs that are specific to one culture or language, use generic imagery to increase accessibility to an international audience.
• Keep icons simple.  Keeping them simple will allow them to be understood without being distracting.  This will also help to create scalable icons.  Sometimes a design looks great at 256×256 but looks completely unrecognizable at 16×16.  You should make sure that your design scales well by keeping it simple.
• Keep the style consistent with other icons in the set.  Using a consistent style will give the application or website a unified and professional appearance.  While each icon should use the same style, it should still be clearly different from other icons around it to avoid confusing icons with their neighbors.

- Christine Daughtry

 

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