The Power of Icon Usage in Web Design
- 26 July 2011
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The Power of Icon Usage in Web Design
Icons can bring extra illustration to a layout, and can help attract attention to any object or element. In their truest form Icons act as a metaphor for text - it is therefore important that you get the metaphor perfect. Increasingle highlighted these days - clear communication of a website is a vital part of its usability. The user needs to be able to immediately know what the icon is saying!
When to Use Icons
As a Button - Icons work very nicely as buttons. They look clean, and replace boring text with colorful illustration. Many designs feature this technique, and there are many ways that it can be done.
With Text on a Button – Also, it is a good idea to use icons on buttons along with text. It calls attention to the button and the color will attract the user’s eye.
Support and Call Attention to Information - Icons are to replace text. Use icons to show information, instead of writing it out. Use icons to compliment text and information too. Icons can be an excellent way to support text and add that extra little “umph” to a good website.
With Titles and Headers – The use of icons is a great practice to use to call attention to important elements. Icons are very commonly used with headers and titles. They had a visual aid to the text of the header, and bring the user towards the header.