Can be drawn in a simple, geometric style (this can save you a lot of work later on).a book is probably too generic in our case) Somewhat specific to the app’s domain (e.g.Ideally, the metaphor you choose should have these attributes: Now that we have a few options, let’s see which ones are viable. Later (as in, “read later”): Clock, timer.Reading, the activity: Couch, reading light, tea/coffee, glasses.How about related non-objects? Maybe we can find some more interesting objects that way:
Let’s start with related physical objects: My process for brainstorming metaphors is quite similar to the one I use to brainstorm names: I come up with a few ideas for physical objects, put them in a thesaurus to find more related ones, and repeat that until I have a list with at least a few viable candidates. Let’s try an example: Remember the Reading List app we designed in a previous tutorial? Let’s make an icon for that! These kinds of metaphors can work, but they make it harder to see at a glance what the app does, and don’t fit in as well with the rest of the system. Completely random objects or symbols (e.g.Heavily stylized symbols or logos (e.g.There are also anti-patterns for metaphors which should be avoided, if possible: A simplified/stylized version of the app’s user interface (e.g.Physical objects vaguely related to the app’s domain or an older analog version of it (e.g.Physical objects directly related to what the app does (e.g.There are no hard and fast rules for this, but ideally your icon metaphor should fall into one of these categories: some kind of physical object, symbol, or other visual artifact that symbolizes your application.įinding a good metaphor is a fuzzy and sometimes difficult process, as it’s often hard to find a physical object many people will recognize as related to the domain of your app.
The first thing you need is a metaphor, i.e. Yes, technically the music is the same even if you have a terrible cover, but a great cover can capture the spirit of the album and elevate the quality of the thing as a whole. Think of the app icon like an album cover for your app. A high quality icon can make people want to use an app more, because it’s a stand-in for the quality of the entire app. The icon can help explain at a glance what the app does, and serves as an entry point to the rest of the experience.
But of course a great app also needs a great icon before you can release it to the world.Īfter the name, the app icon is the most important part of an app’s brand. You’ve designed your app’s interface, and found the perfect name for it.
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