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-Susan Kare. Mac icons by Susan Kare. Principles. Immediacy : impact and memorability through instant recognition Generality : ability to represent a class/group (remove specifying details) Cohesiveness : images in system share instantly-perceived visual vocabulary
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Principles • Immediacy: impact and memorability through instant recognition • Generality: ability to represent a class/group (remove specifying details) • Cohesiveness: images in system share instantly-perceived visual vocabulary • Characterization: focus on the few distinctive, essential aspects of object • Communicability: shared context enables correct viewer interpretation
9 Anti-patterns for icon design 1. Insufficient differentiation between icons
9 Anti-patterns for icon design 2. Too many elements in one icon
9 Anti-patterns for icon design 3. Unnecessary elements
9 Anti-patterns for icon design 4. Lack of unity of style within a set
9 Anti-patterns for icon design 5. Overly original metaphors MacOSX Guidelines: Use universal imagery that people will easily recognize.
9 Anti-patterns for icon design 6. Ignore national and cultural differences Food ≠
9 Anti-patterns for icon design 7. Images of real interface elements
9 Anti-patterns for icon design 8. Text inside icons (tricky)
9 Anti-patterns for icon design 9. Ignore platform guidelines
Designing icon sets Turbomilk’s process in four steps…
Preamble: Two rules (Turbomilk) • Before drawing any icon, elaborate its image very carefully (sketch a lot). • If you need to draw several icons, think over images for the whole set of icons before proceeding with illustrating activities.
App: help managers of small companies send invoices for work performed • work is done • invoice is sent • money is received
1. Analyze app features: • Invoices consist of lines: records on services provided, goods sold or time worked. • Lines may be “free” (not connected to an invoice), and available to “pile up”. • User can store “free” lines in a pile in the process of performing work for clients and generate invoices based on the finished lines later. • Invoices can be paid in several installments.
2. List commands requiring icons Command elements (color-coded): • objects • actions • limiters • qualifiers … become the visual building blocks for icons, a visual grammar
Qualifiers: • from invoice • completely • into invoice • into pile Limiters: • on service • on time worked • on product sold • tied up • free • unsent • sent • paid • all Objects: • line • invoice • payment Actions: • add • delete • group • show • send
3. Brainstorming element visuals Objects:
3. Brainstorming element visuals Actions:
3. Brainstorming element visuals Limiters: • line status • invoice status • line type
3. Brainstorming element visuals Qualifiers:
4. Compose icons Free line commands:
4. Compose icons Invoice commands:
4. Compose icons Invoice line commands:
4. Compose icons Incoming cash records: