It won’t be an exaggeration to say that one of the most vital aspects of an iPhone app is its icon. This is because a large number of visitors browse through scores and scores of apps on the iTunes store, but are most intrigued by the apps that have an attention-grabbing icon and description. Even if your app description is not up to the mark, it is your icon, which will make them want to go through your app at least once. Therefore, you have to pay detailed attention to the design of the app’s icon.
Here are some ideas that will get you started on how to design some note-worthy icons.
1. Avoid using Text/Words
Make it a thumb rule to refrain from using words/text in your icons. Don’t forget the fact that icons are a graphical representation of the entire application and must clearly pass the idea of the app. Thus, using text/words would be a sheer waste. Avoid using up the icon space by using text as it makes the image look cluttered. Also, think for a moment, why to use text when your app will already carry the description along with the icon?
You can however, go for single letter representations, bur only when there is absolutely no way out.
2. Don’t use standard gloss in your icon
Please give the users a break from the icons with standard gloss!
In case you didn’t know, standard gloss is a default feature. When an application is built using Xcode, the icons will by default have a round beveling of their corners with a shine over the topmost part – this is the standard gloss feature. The reason this is the default option, is because it helps maintain an uniformity in the app store.
The standard gloss feature thus, totally ruins your chance of making your icons stand apart from the rest. How do you expect to be noticed if you use this unimaginative feature that is available in every other icon on the iTunes? You’ll only lose your icon among the whole lot of icons looking similar having this very effect and also because, every native icon on the iPhone devices already has it.
3. Tone it down; keep it as simple as possible
You get a 57×57 pixel space to create your icon. Utilize it to provide you maximum benefits. Make a strong concept related to your app and create your icon based on it. Keep in mind that the concept must be strong and be such that it fits aptly on the icon space; making a strong impact on the end-users/target audience.
However, don’t stuff the icon up at your will and keep it simple and minimal instead. Select colors wisely, so that your icon does not show a lack of taste. (It does not mean that you will design a plain and drab looking icon, which is again a major faux pas).
Always remember, that your icon is your first chance to impress your target users and thus, it should be convincing enough. Plan well and work out your icon to emphasize your app concept. By following the above-mentioned features, you can surely design unique icons that can grab the attention of the visitors at one glance.