The internet is the perfect place for many free resources such as icons, which is good because icons are an important part of the internet, including websites and apps.
Icons have become an indispensable element of modern web design, helping make the user experience much more efficient, user friendly and just plain easier to look at. They are included in places and elements such as web pages, navigation menus, call-to-action buttons and more.
Icons help users quickly identify elements as well as guide them through whatever steps and processes you want them to go through in a quick and efficient manner. This article will go into more depth on the significance that icons play in the internet of things.
Streamlining Navigation
Using icons is an effective way to simplify website navigation. Using icons instead of text makes it easier and quicker to identify menu items that lead to different sections of a website or app. For example, using an icon of a house makes it easy to identify that menu section as a link to the home page, and using a magnifying glass icon makes it easy to identify that menu section as one that leads to the search function.
Icons make website and app navigation menus intuitive and user friendly.
Readability and and Scannability
In today’s day and age where people’s attention is limited, icons help in easily and quickly catching their attention. Using icons lets you easily point to sections of a web page where you want to lead your user’s attention and vision. For example, using a lightbulb icon can help to highlight a section with a quick tip or draw attention to important information that a reader may have skipped otherwise.
Communication Functionality
Icons serve as visual cues that communicate the functionality of elements of a website or app. This can be something such as a down arrow indicating a download button or an up arrow indicating an upload button. By using commonly recognized symbols, web designers can create intuitive elements and user interfaces that make a smooth transaction from one step to another.
Brand Identity
Custom icons can play a crucial role in establishing and reinforcing a brand’s identity by creating a memorable and consistent visual representation. By using custom icons that are cohesive in their design, personality and values, designers can establish a visual connection with people that become familiar with a brand. Some examples of this are Coca Cola, Pepsi and Nike. These are brands that are easily recognizable just looking at their logo and designs.
Accessibility
As great as icons are, you have to consider the accessibility requirements of people who are visually impaired to make it so that your websites or apps are designed for everyone to be able to use them. Providing alternative text, also known as “alt text”, allows screen readers to convey their meaning to users with visual impairments.
Designers should also use icons that are clear in their meaning so that their less of a chance for people with cognitive disabilities to get confused.
Striking A Balance
While icons are great and using them has numerous benefits in the design of websites and apps, it is essential to strike a balance when using them so that you avoid overloading your pages with too much clutter. Take into consideration the placement, spacing, size and style of the icons that you use so that they add, and not take away, from the user experience.
Software To Create Icons
To create visually appealing icons, you will need software that comes equipped with the features that let you create icons easily. Luckily for you, there are quite a few options out there. You will want them to have features such as a shape tool, a pen tool, a text tool, pathfinder operations and more.
Some of the software is listed below.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is one of the premiere vector-based graphic design tools that can be used to create icons. Adobe Illustrator, as part of the Adobe Creative Suite, is the premiere software suite that is used among web design professionals.
Adobe Illustrator can be purchased as a standalone product or as part of the Adobe Creative Suite. You can also try Adobe Illustrator as a free trial for seven days.
Sketch
Sketch has emerged as a favorite among UI/UX designers because of its focus on digital design workflows. While it is mainly known for and used to create user interfaces, it can also be used to create icons. It has an intuitive interface and a powerful set of vector editing tools that make it easy to create icons.
Sketch is available as a paid subscription or you can try it for free for 30 days.
Figma
Figma is a cloud-based design tool that is used to create user interfaces for websites and mobile applications. Users are able to use it without having to download anything, all you need is a device with an internet connection. In addition, designers also use it to create icons.
Figma offers a good set of features that can be used to create icons, including vector editing, component functionality, icon constraints and auto layout features and plugins and other resources that can help you to create consistent and stunning icons.
Figma offers a free version, which you can use to create as many icons as you want.
Icon Resources
There are many great resources where you can find icons. Some of these are free and some are paid. You will also have to take into consideration that some of these resources require you to give attribution to the source, and some do not. You will have to take a look at and read the license of each.
A great resource for icons is BestWebDesignFreebies.com. It offers free vector and PNG icons and does not require attribution. The website is well organized and easily searchable as well as providing other great web design freebies.
By following these guidelines, the icons that you use can act as a great visual guide and presentation of your online brand identity and help make your website or app’s user experience the best that it can be.