63 great uses of icons in web design

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Icons are most often used to enhance meaning and afford scanning in web design. The same icons have been used again and again for similar functions and in turn they have become synonyms for specific functionality or information.

An icon of a diskette still conveys the “save” function, even though nobody uses diskettes anymore and the youngest computer users are unaware of what a diskette really is. Icons convey immediate meaning and provide shortcuts to it. Reading text requires more energy than deciphering an icon.

Icons can be used to allow for scanning and increase readability. Use icons to indicate the beginning of new paragraphs.

Icons can be used to set the mood, personality, and general atmosphere of a website. Consider the theme of your website and choose icons accordingly. What style does your site have? Mordern? Classic? Slick? Web 2.0?

Enough talking – check out these 63 great uses of icons in web design

Anders Toxboe Author

Based out of Copenhagen, Denmark, Anders Toxboe is a Product Discovery coach and trainer, helping both small and big clients get their product right. He also founded UI-Patterns.com and a series of other projects. Follow Anders at @uipatternscom.

1 comment

  • Best Website Designer on Dec 21, 2010

    This post is a good source for all web designers, as this deals with the basic of web designing, that is icons and its needs. Excellent points on the uses of icons.

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