Icon Maker

Icon maker

An icon maker helps you design small pictures that guide people in apps and on websites. Icons matter because they turn actions into clear signs, like a trash can for delete or a heart for like. Good icons are simple, balanced, and easy to see at tiny sizes. With basic tools, you can draw, align, and export icons for phones, tablets, and desktops, and keep a steady style across the whole set.

How do I plan a clear icon?

Start with a basic idea that matches the action. Sketch two or three versions using simple shapes. Test each one at 16, 32, and 64 pixels. If the idea is hard to read, remove details and try thicker lines. Keep angles and corners consistent with your other icons. When one sketch works at all sizes, trace it as a clean vector and place it on a square grid so the edges line up well.

What rules keep a set consistent?

• Use the same stroke width across icons.
• Keep corners at the same radius.
• Align shapes to the same grid.
• Limit colors to a small palette.

How can I export icons for different screens?

Design in vectors so scaling is easy. Export SVG for the web and PDF for print. For apps, export PNGs at common sizes like 1×, 2×, and 3×. Name files clearly, such as “home-24.png” or “home@2x.png.” If the icon will change color in code, export a plain shape without baked colors. Test exports on a real device to see if strokes look too thin and adjust your master file if needed.

Which is better, outline or filled style?

Outline icons feel light and work well on calm screens. Filled icons feel bold and stand out on busy screens. If your app uses many colors and photos, filled icons may read better. If the design is airy with lots of space, outline icons can match that mood. You can offer both styles if they follow the same shapes and sizes, but do not mix the styles in the same toolbar.

How do I keep icons crisp at tiny sizes?

Snap strokes to whole pixels so lines do not blur. Avoid very thin strokes below one pixel at the final size. Remove tiny gaps and extra points. Keep the silhouette clear even if details are lost. Compare your icon next to a text label. If the label is needed to understand the icon, consider a simpler design. Small, strong shapes help everyone act faster and feel less confused.

What are quick tips for a strong icon set?

Build a shared grid and a style guide before you draw many icons. Reuse base shapes like circles and squares. Check contrast on light and dark backgrounds. Keep names tidy so teammates can find files. Ask a friend to guess each icon’s meaning without hints. If most guesses are right, your set is clear. If not, simplify and try again until the message is easy at a glance.