Icon design is the process of designing graphicsymbols to represent physical objects (pictograms) and abstract concepts (ideograms). In the context ofsoftware applications, anicon often represents aprogram, an action, or data on acomputer.[1]
Though the design of icons has existed as long as pictograms and ideograms have, modern icon design primarily exists in maps, public infrastructure likewayfinding, and user interfaces for video games, computers, and mobile devices. Physical venues and events make use of either existing symbols from governments (such as theDOT pictograms) or custom icon designs. Custom icons are most visible asapplication icons,favicons, anduser interface toolbar icons on computers and mobile devices.[2][3]
Modern app icons have a maximum size of 1024×1024 pixels or greater, however icon design involves creating artwork at various sizes for legibility.[2] At smaller sizes, designers often eliminate or reduce unnecessary details while exaggerating important details. Especially forlower-density displays, icons arehinted at various sizes similar to digitaltype design by aligning shapes to pixel boundaries as to ensure visual clarity. Icons may also need to be altered for different display modes, such asdark mode. The design of icon sets includes consideration to a shared elements, such as a color palette, perspective, and style.[4][5]
The process of icon design includes defining a metaphor, drawing an illustration, creating any necessary alterations for various sizes, and occasionally assembling files into a folder,ICO file, orICNS file.Vector icons in apps and websites are usuallySVG files.
Due to their high visibility and relation tologo design andbranding, new app icons are frequently criticized.[6][7][8][9]
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