Icons are everywhere. They show up in navigations, apps, product features, and calls-to-action. Done well, they make an interface feel clear and help support interaction. However, when done poorly, they confuse users and undermine trust.
So what are the best practices for utilizing icons in design effectively?
Here’s a quick framework to help you think about icons, including the good habits to keep, and what to avoid.
Do: Keep it simple
Icons should communicate at a glance, and help enhance the messaging. Complex icons don’t scale well, and only cause confusion instead.
Best practice: Stick to simple, recognizable icons that still work at small sizes.
Do: Stay consistent
Your icons across your app or website should look like they belong together. That means the same stroke weight, corner radius, and overall style throughout.
Best practice: Pick a single icon library or create a system of your own — and stick with it.
Do: Use familiar metaphors
Use what people know: A magnifying glass for search. An envelope for email. A heart for “like.” The best icons borrow from symbols people are familiar with.
Best practice: Use practical icons for the paired text. If a user has to stop and think about what the icon means, it’s not working.
Don’t: Reinvent the wheel
Wanting to be different isn’t always the best approach. Designing a clever “new” icon for something universal (like search or home) usually just adds confusion.
What to avoid: Abstract or unique icons that make users guess.
Don’t: Mix and match styles
Pulling icons from different sets might seem harmless, but the inconsistency is noticeable. It makes your design feel sloppy instead of intentional.
What to avoid: Combining thin outlined icons with bold filled icons.
Don’t: Rely on color alone
Icons should communicate through shape first. Color can act as an accent, but it shouldn’t rely on it to send the message.
What to avoid: Icons that lose all meaning when viewed in grayscale. Duotone icons or more complex shapes are guilty of this.
Design to Dollars takeaway
Consistent icons equal consistent experiences. And consistency builds confidence, professionalism, and predictability, which directly impacts whether people bounce — or buy.
See you next time,
