Our brains process images 60,000 times faster than words. So, use icons to aid in a better understanding of specific processes.
Icons allow you to associate real-world actions with a simple image. Check out the trends for icon design this 2023. You’ll surely grab and retain the attention of your market, whichever platform you put them on.
Importance of Icons
Everywhere you look, you’ve most likely seen an icon describing an action you must take. Whether it’s the icon for sending an email or an emoji we send to friends, icons dominate our daily lives.
We have David Canfield Smith and graphic designer Norman Lloyd Cox, who collaborated and gave life to access to the relationship between user interaction and machines. After thorough research, results from a study on icons say that they effectively increase software usability, applications, etc.
But vice versa when misused. It confuses and reduces the navigability of anything from website design to applications and software. That’s why you need icons.
They express and simplify complex ideas with beautiful visuals that everyone appreciates and understands. Icons are a powerful tool to connect with customers and strengthen your marketing scheme.
How to Create an Icon
Create the perfect icon set for your business. You’ll be connecting with your market worldwide in no time with your icon design. Follow our miniguide below and utilize icons to better your business processes.
- Research Is Your Best Friend: Being unique online is essential. Ensure that the icon you’re creating doesn’t end up with a similar design to others since we don’t want you to deal with trademark and plagiarism malpractices.
- Mood Board: Akin to logo design and website design, you need a mood board to bounce ideas. Let’s say you’re a gardening business. You want to show your customers the environmental impact gardening has on ergonomics through an infographic design. So you add icon styles, illustrations, color schemes, and typography that inspire you to create your icons to better explain the environmental impact.
- Icon = Concept: The example above is creating an infographic that shows the environmental impact of gardening on gardening. So your icon will deliver precisely that. It could be the scenery or the action of gardening for your icon. Your icon will flourish if you have a concept behind your design.
- Start Designing: Now, you can start creating the design of your icon itself. Add the finishing touches, like choosing one of the trends below and ensuring it’s simple. It also needs to have the correct size. Check the choices below for reference.
Small Icons:
- 12 x 12 px
- 16 x 16 px
- 24 x 24 px
- 32 x 32 px
- 48 x 48 px
Medium Icons:
- 64 x 64 px
- 96 x 96 px
- 128 x 128 px
- 256 x 256 px
Large Icons:
- 512 x 512 px
- 1024 x 1024 px
5. File Matters: Ensure you save your final render with the proper file compression. It’s usually in a .ico format, so it’s the appropriate size for the icon online.
Icon Design Trends 2022
You learned about the importance of icons and how to create them. Now, check out our collated list of icon trends this 2022. We divided them into nine categories just for you.
Hand-Drawn/Doodle Icons
If you want something more unique and a bit more taxing, draw your icons. It could be physical or digital icons; you’ll surely grab the attention of your market.
You can have doodle style or just plain artistic drawings to express actions and ideas for your business. You’re giving yourself a refreshing and friendly look at your market.
Find inspiration from the hand-drawn designs below.
Conservative, Free Icon Design by Emmanuel Creations
Conservative, Free Icon Design by luiz otavio I DESIGN
Food Restaurant Icon Design by typeo1978
Icons with Perspective (Depth)
Another icon that plays with the eyes of your market is perspective design. It could give a 3D design to your icons, but the images here are richer.
It also plays with shadows to direct the eyes of your market. Give them something fascinating to look at as they navigate your website with perspective icons.
Find your fresh icon look below.
Bold Icon Design by Melanie
Elegant, Business Icon Design by nafizrahat
Modern, Marketing Marketing Icon Design by galin ganchev
Illustration Icons
Convey a concrete idea through illustrated icons. Compared to hand-drawn icons, illustrations depict mostly sceneries and general images rather than individual ideas like hand-drawn.
Find the perfect illustrated design below.
Elegant, Best Icon Design by an-illust
Elegant, Best Icon Design by Raoul Camion
Playful, Computer Icon Design by INKKO
Abstract Icons
Are you looking for a single image to express multiple emotions? The abstract design is the best for you. This design allows you to wow your market and incites curiosity in them.
Check out the ideas for abstract designs below.
Colorful, Bright Entertainment Icon Design by nas.ok
Colorful, Entertainment Entertainment Icon Design by nreimer
Colorful, Square Entertainment Icon Design by julia.gnedina
Thick Line Icons
Next, we have icons with thick lines. It’s different from the next line-style icon below because of, as the name suggests, the thickness of the lines.
Thick lines emphasize their respective subjects. Whether referring to an item, a person, or a group, these icons will make you emerge in the industry to find your target market better.
Get ideas from the thick-lined designs below.
Bold, Serious Icon Design by julia.gnedina
icons for product features and warranty for new web site by TTK
Retro Icons by Abiyoso28
App Icons
Refurbish your processes and new apps by making them look like Google or Apple’s application style. From hovering style to line art, these square icons are a great way to start 2023. Find the perfect one for your business below.
Professional, Elegant, Store Icon Design for a Company in United States by Dedy Christian
Elegant, Modern, Winery Icon Design by tervezoarts
Bold, Modern, Health And Wellness Icon Design by Omee
3D Icons
This 2023 focuses on 3D design because of its perspective-defying characteristics (anaglyphs and action) and real-world representations. Now dabble with a unique color palette through color psychology or the color wheel, and voila!
Check out your unique 3D icons below.
Flexible & smooth 3D Icons Pack by maximilian chanba
Hyper63 Iconography by Victor Korchuk
Swile – Set of static icons by Aleksander Buksza
Emoji Icons
Next, we have the most popular visual for texting friends, family, and co-workers; emojis. In 2023, they are taking the iconography industry by storm since they are not just for texting anymore but for icons for your business.
They are fun and trendy, making your brand look memorable and #relatable. Try getting emoji icons for your business below.
Bold, Playful, Taxi Icon Design by designman
Elegant, Playful, Tv Icon Design by tapstudio
Modern, Playful, It Company Icon Design by Leemel
Icons with Muted Colors
Next, we have icon design in a trendy muted color palette. These earthy tones are great for companies because their soft colors pay homage to Mother Earth or just as a professional color palette. Pick the best-muted color icons below.
Professional, Serious, Business Icon Design by tapstudio
Elegant, Playful, Printing Icon Design by Clara Bird
Serious, Modern, Agriculture Icon Design by Elena 9
Gradient Icons
Gradients are uber popular in all types of graphic design. Whether they’re shades of bright colors or dark colors, your icons will benefit from the colorways here.
Unlike last year, gradients were paired with 3D design. This 2023, they stand alone and are ready to give your brand a fresh new vibe. Check out your following gradient designs below.
Professional, Elegant, Store Icon Design by BlackK@t
Marketing Icon Design by TechWise
Modern, Upmarket, Store Icon Design by Synthesis
Line Style Icons
This style is under minimalistic icons, but it’s more focused on lines paired with colors in shapes to highlight your brand’s color palette. It’s the perfect pair for attention-grabbing, simple icons for your business.
Use line-style icons through the designs below.
Bold, Company Icon Design by Sofia Pereira
Modern, Company It Company Icon Design by luutrongtin89
Professional, Bespoke Architecture Icon Design by luutrongtin89
Circular Icons
If you want to focus the eyes of your market when they look at your icons, this is the best choice. Circular icons give your brand a more rounded (heh, get it?) and professional look for aspects of your website and profile design. It can help differentiate the information you want to convey to your market.
Find your circular design below.
Bold, Company Icon Design by typeo1978
Restaurant Icon Design by BOXagency
Playful, Club Icon Design by GEK (agentfortysix)
Hovering Icons
Think of these as icons that have transparent backgrounds and look like they’re floating. They’re a fun twist to this list’s typical and other trends.
Check out the hovering icon designs below for inspiration.
Color Mode Button: Going for dark to light & dark to light by Levi Jones
Icon Button Hover Animation UI,UX Design by AyhanALTINOK
New Transaction Hover by Mauricio Bucardo
Create Your Hip Icon Design Today
And there you have it! Our complete list of icon trends to use for 2022. Use them for your favicon, social media posts, business cards, and even letterhead and email signature design to provoke action from your market.
If you need more help with your graphic design needs, you can tap our community of freelance designers or create your visuals through our logo maker and more at BrandCrowd.
Happy designing!
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Written by DesignCrowd on Tuesday, July 26, 2022
DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.