Logo Windows icon software company Icon SoftwareIcons DownloadsF.A.Q.Contact  
Icon Software
Graphic Software
Icons Downloads
Order Icons
Windows icon sets
Icon Design
Support
EnglishDeutsch - GermanРусский - RussianEspañol - SpanishFrançais - FrenchItaliano - Italian日本語 - JapaneseNederlands - Dutch中文(简体) - ChineseNorsk - Norwegian
Get Ready Icons
Basic guidelines of icon design


1. Look at Icon Design Holistically
Icons fit within graphic systems. If they are crafted for desktop software or Web pages, an icon is one of many graphic elements that need to work in unity harmoniously. Carry this logic when you work icon sets as well. Icons can be appreciated for their aesthetic solutions individually, but they don't work on their own. Evaluate your icons in relation to the graphic interface you're applying them to. Be sure that every icon differs from surrounding icons, while still acting together as a whole.

2. Consider Your Users
You will need to make different considerations if you're creating an intranet for a private company, in comparison toa product that is sold internationally. When developing icons, cultural considerations are vital. Symbols may differ for typical elements you may use for your designs.

3. Design for the Size the Icon will be Used At
If you pick a vector format and draw your images in Illustrator, there is strong temptation to shrink the design, and try to use it at any size. This doesn't work with icons. What looks good at 512px will be a blurry smear at 16px. Icons should have a base design that is used as a guideline, but each output size needs to have its own modified design.

4. The Icons Should Remain Simple and Iconic
With operating systems now promoting icons that scale to large sizes (512px by 512px is extra large for an icon), the temptation grows to get creative with your designs. While a level of realism can add character to an icon design, it should not restrict its ability to function simply and efficiently.

5. Use Consistent [Lighting, Reflections, and Shadows]
It's obvious that the photographism you put into your designs all function in the same way. If you set a spot light coming from one direction then stick with it. Or you risk losing the consistent design of your icons. Also consider the light arrangements of the interface your icons will be placed in. If the light source of your icons is contradictory with the Web site or software design you're using them in, then the design will be unrealistic.

6. Use a Limited Perspective
The range of perspective within your icon pack should work in union. If you picture objects being looked at from directly above then keep this concept. If you rotate one at a specific angle, then be sure all the icons will look good at that angle also. Imagine a photo camera being placed at a specific vantage point and looking at all the objects from the same perspective. This helps to create unity in your icon designs.

7. Draw Similar Icon Set Styles
Lighting and Perspective certainly take part in styling of an icon, but there are lots other things to consider as well. If you're aiming to fit your icon into a grunge-style Web site design, you'll likely be applying texture to the style of the icon's design.



 Standard Toolbar Icons

Standard Toolbar Icons

 Science Toolbar Icons

Science Toolbar Icons


Icon editor 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

XP Icon editor 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

Icon converter 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

Icon editor and builder 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 converter 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

Cursor editor 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

Viewer 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

Customize desktop icons 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 editors