 |
|
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
 | |
|
|
The most typical mistakes in icon design?
#1 Insufficient differentiation between images It often happens that within one pack of icons, we have icons that look similar and it is very difficult to tell what is what. If you miss the legends, you can very easily get the icons mixed up. #2 Too many elements in one icon The cleaner and more laconic the icon is, the better. It is advisable to set the number of objects in one single icon as low as possible. Nevertheless, MicrosoftÒs designers, inspired by the new icon format introduced in Windows Vista, tried to go big and created bloated icons to proof worthy their over packed budget. #3 Unnecessary objects An icon should be easy to read. The fewer objects it holds, the better. It is better if the complete image is relevant and not just a part of it. That means, you have to understand the context your icons will be used at. Look at the database icons, for instance. The pack may look fine at a first glance, but if the software (or a specific toolbar) deals only with databases, we can (and we must) delete the irrelevant part. #4 Non-unified style within a pack of icons It is a unity of style that unites several icons into a set. The uniting property can be one of the these: color scheme, layout, size, drawing style or a combination of several such properties. If the set only contains a few icons, the creator can keep some rules in his head. However, if the icon set is large and there is more the one designer working on this task (for example, icons for a new OS), then specific guidelines are created. Such guidelines describe in detail how to draw an icon so that it perfectly matches the rest of the pack. #5 Spare details in small sized images Progress does not stand still: interfaces have gained the potential to use semi-transparent objects, the number of possible colors to use became unlimited and there is currently a trend towards 3D icons. But is it actually all that useful? Not necessarily! Especially if we are talking about icons sized 16?16 or smaller. #6 Overly original metaphors Choosing what is to be included in an icon is constantly a compromise between reconcilability and originality. Prior to a metaphor (image) is developed for an icon it is smart to consider how it is done in other products. Maybe the best solution is not in inventing something original but rather in adopting the existing solution. #7 National or cultural characteristics not being considered It is always helpful to consider the conditions in which your icon will appear. A key aspect here is national characteristics. Social customs, surroundings and gestures can vary radically from nation to nation. For example, a mail box appears to be a great symbol for a ÓMailÔ icon. But you will see all the different types of mailboxes in different countries. In that situation, you should either make your icon resemble the mailbox that is typical for the userÒs country or state, or pick a more universal illustration like a post stamp. #8 Images of real GUI parts in icons The manual on designing icons for Mac OS X warns us: ÓAvoid using Aqua interface elements in your icons; they could be confused with the actual interface.Ô But all in vain! There still are lost of icons that can be viewed as a couple of separate ones. #9 Text inside icons This fault is usually seen in application icons. Naturally the first thing that crosses your mind when working on an application icon is to use the applicationÒs logo. What is wrong about the text embedded into the icon? First of all, it is strictly language-related and so forces localization. Secondly, if the icon is done in a small size, The text is not readable. Thirdly, in the case of software icons, this text is duplicated in the caption of the application. #10 Outside the pixel framework As a rule, this problem occurs if you use a vector format for creating your icons. In large size everything looks pretty and clear; but in real life the icons are small, and under rasterization anti-aliasing blurs the objectsÒ edges.
|
Standard Toolbar Icons
|
ArtIcons Pro can find, extract, edit and create Windows icons in color depths up to 16 million colors. Import and export icon images, create and handle icon libraries. It supports the new icon format introduced in Windows XP (8-bit transparency). Download it |
|
IconXP can edit and create Windows icons in color depths up to 32-bit True Color. It supports the new icon format introduced in Windows XP (8-bit transparency). You can customize desktop and folder icons. Download it |
|
Any to Icon allows you to convert multiple BMP, JPEG, GIF, PNG, WBMP and WMF images to Windows icons in one action. It also breaks down entire icon libraries into individual icons. You can change color resolution and size to create customized icons. Download it |
|
IconUtils is a complete icon and cursor solution. IconUtils package can edit icons and cursors, manage icon and cursor libraries, convert icons into images (in various graphic formats) and vice versa, customize Windows desktop and folder icons. Download it |
|
Icon to Any allows you to convert Windows icons and cursors into BMP, JPG, PNG, GIF, ICO, CUR, WBMP and RC formats. It has a wizard interface. It's simple to process multiple files at once. You can find icons and make images for use on Web pages. Download it |
|
ArtCursors allows you to edit Windows cursors in color depths up to 16 million colors. You also can search files and folders for cursors, import and export cursor images and create cursor libraries for better and more efficient storage. Download it |
|
AhaView supports all popular graphic formats, including JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, ICO, CUR, ANI, WBMP. You can browse images in thumbnail mode, view pictures full screen with zooming features, convert images to JPEG, PNG, BMP formats and manage files. Download it |
|
CustomIcons is an ultimate tool for customizing the icons on you desktop, in Windows Start menu and many other locations. Using CustomIcons you can easily replace default Windows icons with the ones to your choice. Download it |
Icon Software | Graphic Software | Icons Downloads | Order Icons | Windows Icon Sets | Support
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Refund Policy
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Refund Policy
Copyright © 2000-2022 Aha-Soft. All rights reserved.
|
