Website Design Jacksonville, here’s a few thoughts on one of my favorite design elements that many web designers in Jacksonville, just don’t get. I’ve always said, “Apple can say in an icon what Microsoft says in a paragraph.” Icons have been used for a long time in website design, however that doesn’t make choosing the right lcon any easier. I’m sure you’ve come across websites before where the lcons don’t align with the rest of the design. Best case, it can be something you overlook. Worst case, it can detract from the impact of the website.
It takes time and careful thought to determine the use of each icon. Sometimes it’s the small details that are the most important. It’s the little details that help to maintain the flow of information across the site. Besides just navigation, icons can help a reader to understand the context of your website, and even in understanding the overall message of your website.
In this article we’re going to cover the importance of choosing the right icons for your website. If you’re looking to upgrade your web design, get in touch with our website design Jacksonville team today here at C7, we’d love to help.
Icons should be appealing
Your icons should be memorable, and appealing to the eyes. You’ll want them to stand out and catch the attention of your readers. People usually tend to remember things that are beautiful, so you’ll want your icons to induce this effect. However, make sure they aren’t too flamboyant where they don’t fit into the rest of your site.
Icons should be universally understood
You don’t want your icons to be confusing. The last thing you want are your visitors to have to spend extra time trying to decipher what your icons are actually depicting. Think of it as roadsigns that are directing your user to the next destination. You’ll want them to be unique, but not too unique that they leave the reader baffled as to where the icon is going to lead them.
Icons need to be consistent
If you don’t have consistency in your icons, then you can break how information flows on your website design Jacksonville. You’ll also want your icons to have the same color scheme as your site. You want them to integrate nicely with the rest of your website design.
It’s important to ensure that they maintain a consistent shape throughout your website as well. Like music, visual elements should have a flow, tempo and melody to them. They play a big part in making your visual music sound amazing.
Icons should compliment the theme
Your icons need to compliment the overall theme of your website. Just like you choose fonts to compliment your website design, you’ll want to do the same with your choice. Will your icons be comical, creative, techy, rustic, organic or very clean and plain? All of these have applications but remember as a website designer Jacksonville, you are creating a user experience that should drive your browsers toward defined goals. It may be to educate, entertain, inform or sell a product or service. Whatever it is, if you want to be a pro, you must design with purpose and focus. Good icon design is part of the challenge.
Icons should have a purpose
Make sure to choose them that are functional as well visually stimulating. The main purpose of your icons are to direct your users somewhere. Point them in the right direction… quickly. Make sure not to include any over stylistic elements that detract from that functional goal. In the case of less really can be more. Right Microsoft?
In summary, the purpose behind your icons needs to be understood to be properly implemented in your website design Jacksonville. It’s one of those small things that can make a huge difference in user experience of browsers. I hope this article has given you a better idea at how icons can impact the design of your website. If you want to move forward with your website design, get in contact with our website design Jacksonville team today.
