Easy Steps to Better Icon Design

No doubt, you can find some well- designed vector icons that are

inexpensive and easily available online. Thousands of high – quality free

and premium icon sets are available.

But before you choose anyone, you must aware of the difference

between “not quite good enough” and “premium quality” icons as it has

a great impact on the design.

In this article, we will discuss principles of effective icon design in six

steps including the basics of sound icon design, consistency, legibility

and clarity.

Three Attributes of Effective Icon Design

Icons that are well-designed follows a methodological approach to the

three major attributes that make up any design. Even if you are creating

a single icon, consider these attributes in an iterative approach.

Structure or Form

Structure is the most basic part of an icon. The most successful icon

designs follow simple, recognizable patterns or forms. The primary

geometric shapes – circle, square, and triangle – create a visually stable

foundation for icon designs.

Character

The character of an icon is made up of the elements that are shared

within a single icon and across an icon set.

Identity

The “identity” is the soul of an icon which makes it unique. Identity

determines whether or not it “works”. Character and Identity often

overlap. Identity elements shared by several icons become part of the

Character of a set.

The Six Steps

ALWAYS START WITH A GRID

Here is a guide to help you create the underlying form of each icon

design. Avoid putting any part of the icon in “no go zone” space unless

absolutely necessary. The purpose of this space is to create some

breathing room around the icon.

START WITH SIMPLE GEOMETRIC SHAPES

Start your icon designs with the major shapes like circles, rectangles and

triangles. Start with the shape tools in Adobe Illustrator.

BY THE NUMBERS: EDGE S, L INES, CORNERS, CURVES AND

ANGLES

Inconsistency in corners, curves and angles can diminish the quality of

an icon.

PIXEL-PERFECTION

Pixel-perfect alignment is important when designing for small sizes.

Aligning the icon to the pixel grid will make the edges perfectly crisp on

straight lines and more crisp on precise angles and curves.

USE CONSISTENT DESIGN ELEMENTS AND ACCENTS ACROSS

ICONS

The elements that build aesthetic unity can still tie the set together.

USE DETAILS AND DECORATIONS SPARINGLY

Icons should quickly communicate an object, idea or action. Too many

small details will introduce complexity, which can make the icon less

recognizable. The level of detail is an important aspect of aesthetic unity

and recognizability of the in icon set.

MAKE IT UNIQUE

The number of talented designers are creating high-quality icon sets

every day. But many of them rely on the trends or the styles of the most

popular designers. As creative web designer, we should create something

out of the box by exploring some other areas such as architecture,

typography, industrial design, psychology, nature where we can find the

inspiration.

Hope this article you create premium quality icons. For more details see

here. Master in web design practice.

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