Types of UI Icons

Icons are the silent heroes of digital interfaces, transforming complex functionalities into simple, intuitive visuals. From the paper plane on a ‘send’ button to the shopping cart on e-commerce sites like Amazon’s website, UI icons are more than decorative elements; they’re essential tools that convey functionality and meaning at a glance.

 

Each icon acts as a bridge between the digital and real world, helping users understand actions without the need for lengthy explanations. For instance, a lock icon intuitively signals privacy or security, drawing from real-life associations that make digital interactions smoother and more accessible.

 

Icons can vary widely in style, themes, and interaction, each tailored to specific functionalities and user expectations. Grouping icons based on these criteria helps create a cohesive visual language, enhancing usability and consistency across interfaces. Let’s dive into the types of icons and how they shape user experience.

Types of UI Icons

Icons are like little visual companions that come in sets, making sure everything looks visually pleasing. These sets are carefully curated to provide users with a seamless and consistent visual experience. Let’s explore the different types of icon sets and what makes each one unique.

 

1. Resemblance Icons

Resemblance icons are the cornerstone of UI design. They act as a visual shorthand, leveraging our understanding of real-world objects to communicate functionality instantly. This universality makes them incredibly user-friendly, minimizing the need for text labels and reducing cognitive load.

 

Why they’re awesome:

 

• Instant understanding: No need for explanations, users just “get it.”
• Globally friendly: They transcend language barriers.
• Reduced learning curve: Easy to grasp, even for new users.

 

For example,

 

• Home icon: Represents the main landing page of an application.
• Search icon: A magnifying glass signifies searching for information within the app.

2. Reference Icons

Reference UI icons take a slightly more creative approach compared to resemblance icons. They use analogies and metaphorical connections to represent actions or concepts. While not directly depicting a real-world object, they leverage our understanding of those objects to convey meaning.

 

Here’s why reference icons are valuable:

 

• Engaging & Memorable: Their unique approach can be more visually interesting and leave a lasting impression on users.
• Efficiency: They can represent complex actions in a more compact way compared to text labels.
• Flexibility: They can be used for more abstract concepts that lack a direct physical object counterpart.

 

For example,

 

• Zipped Folder icon: A closed folder with a zipper closure signifies compressing files.
• Broken Glass icon: Found on packaging to indicate fragility and handle with

3. Arbitrary Icons

Unlike resemblance and reference icons that rely on real-world connections, arbitrary icons are the mystery guests of the UI icons party. They have no inherent meaning and rely solely on learned association. Think of them as tiny inside jokes between you and your app users.

 

How do they work?

 

• Repeated Exposure: Through consistent use within an app or across popular platforms, users develop an understanding of the icon’s meaning.
• Learned Association: Over time, users associate the specific visual with a particular action or concept.

 

Famous Examples:

 

• Hamburger Icon (☰): Represents a menu, despite having no resemblance to a burger. Its meaning is widely understood due to extensive use across mobile apps.
• Save Icon: A floppy disk, once a physical storage medium, now represents saving data digitally. While not everyone might understand its origin, its meaning is widely understood within the digital world.

4. Flat and Semi-Flat Icons

The icons based upon the minimalist and the 2D-dimensional approach of design fall under this category. They are clean, simple, and easy to recognize. But there is a lot of effort that goes behind describing the visual details of these icons. Color, contrast, and shadow need to be in place to help them separate from other UI elements present on the screen.

 

Here’s what makes them tick:

 

• Minimalism at its Core: Flat icons are essentially two-dimensional shapes with minimal details or textures. This simplicity allows them to scale well across different screen sizes and resolutions.
• Color Takes Center Stage: With a lack of depth or highlights, color plays a crucial role in defining the icon’s form and function. Contrasting colors ensure the icon stands out from the background and other UI elements.
• Semi-Flat Adds Subtle Dimension: In semi-flat icons, a touch of depth is introduced through subtle gradients or shadows. This can enhance the icon’s visual appeal without sacrificing its minimalist core.

 

Examples of Flat and Semi-Flat Icons:

 

• Many popular mobile apps and websites utilize flat or semi-flat icon styles.
• Social media platforms often rely on flat icons for their clean and recognizable aesthetic.
• E-commerce sites might use flat icons to represent product categories or actions.

5. Skeuomorphic Icons

The icons that are designed to provide a more natural and 3d effect on the interface are called skeuomorphic icons. They borrow design elements and textures from real-world objects, creating a more natural and familiar look within the digital interface.

 

Imagine a photorealistic notepad icon for your note-taking app or a bookshelf icon for your e-reader. These are classic examples of skeuomorphism.

 

Why Use Skeuomorphic Icons?

 

• Intuitive for New Users: By mimicking physical objects, they can be easier for users to understand, especially those unfamiliar with digital interfaces.
• Increased Engagement: The realistic look can create a sense of warmth and familiarity, making the app feel more approachable.
• Enhanced Learnability: For users accustomed to physical objects, skeuomorphic icons can act as a bridge to understanding their digital counterparts.

 

Examples of Skeuomorphic Icons:

 

• Early iOS app icons, like the notepad and bookshelf examples mentioned earlier.
• Gaming interfaces that use realistic icons for health bars or inventory items.
• Productivity apps that might utilize skeuomorphic icons for folders or calendars.

6. Glyph icons

Glyph icons are a unique category that utilizes existing symbols and characters to represent functionalities within a UI. Think of them as repurposed punctuation or simplified pictograms.

 

What makes them Glyph icons?

 

• Single Character Design: They are typically composed of a single letter, number, or symbol from a font set.
• Focus on Meaning: The chosen symbol should have a clear association with the action or concept it represents.

 

Examples of Glyph Icons:

 

• ‘#’ symbol: Commonly signifies “hashtag” or the need to enter multiple items.
• ‘+’ symbol: Frequently represents adding a new item or function.
• ‘-‘ symbol: Often used for subtracting, removing, or collapsing something.
• ‘***’ symbol:** Can signify favoriting something, star ratings, or wildcard searches.
• Bluetooth symbol (not technically a glyph icon): While commonly used as an icon, the Bluetooth symbol is a specific logo and not a character from a font set.

Concluison

In the world of UI design, UI icons are the little visual heroes that silently guide users through your interface. This blog post has explored the different types of icons, from the universally-understood resemblance icons to the more creative reference icons. We’ve delved into the minimalist world of flat and semi-flat icons, and explored the nostalgic charm of skeuomorphic design. Finally, we’ve looked at the simple yet powerful glyph icons.

 

Remember, the best UI icons are:

 

• Clear and recognizable: Users should understand their meaning at a glance.
• Consistent: Use the same icon for the same function throughout your interface.
• Visually appealing: They should complement your overall design aesthetic.

 

By choosing the right type of icon and following these principles, you can create a user-friendly and visually engaging interface that speaks volumes without a single word.

 

Let’s learn the importance of UI icons in detail- Why is Icon Design Important in UI Design

 

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