My free icons

Design free icons, a relatively old branch design for computers, "which originated at the dawn of the first graphical operating systems.

1. Introduction. Design icon, a relatively old branch design for computers, "which originated at the dawn of the first graphical operating systems. Rooted in the era of the Mac, this art form has migrated from Windows to a modern web design. Now the icons haunt us everywhere, and we simply cease to notice them, taking their presence for granted. And precisely because of this, rare designer thinks about design or creation of a common concept of placing icons on a site created them. And by the way thanks to this same fact, I decided to create a series of articles that you begin to read.

2. Features of the application. Feature of the icons just obvious. Enough to cast a "abstract" view of any professionally made Web-based resource or desktop Windows, and understand that icons are used only in user interfaces. Improved site navigation, increased usability, the lifting of pages viewed, here are just a few of the problems that can solve a careful application icons.

3. Building interfaces. Before the direct creation of images is examined in detail the concept of the site interface. In the simplest case, the site has a navigation interface, so that only links to subsections of the site. More complex resources, such as Web mail, free hosting and other-oriented on-line with the user, have to its credit up to a dozen separate user interfaces, each of which requires careful consideration and individual attention.

It is worth mentioning the so-called "auxiliary" user interface. This term should be understood elements that are not included in either a specific section, a "floating" on the page, together with the general content. For example, the buttons i (More)>>> (details)? (Reference material), etc.

Note. There is a perception that the interface is unique and combines everything that is designed to work directly with the user. I hold a different opinion and divide all the interfaces on their functional purpose.

4. Stylistics clearance. Finally, having understood the concept of the site interface can move to their immediate clearance. Here is to provide some very important points: a) All the icons, all interfaces have a common style. b) The size of the icons in the interface is uniform, but different interfaces may also be different. c) All the icons should be intuitive. d) The icons can never be at the forefront of perception. e) The various interfaces are disjoint.

And now more about what I had in mind. Item a. Stylistics icons dictated by the overall style of the site. The content of images can be absolutely anything, based on naturally from soobrozheny expediency, but the design must be unified. The user should not see a bunch of colorful images, logically among themselves not omnibus. For example, to create a common style, you can use a specific color scheme (Netscape Navigator and the entire line of products this company), a single-term representation of objects in the icons (eg all the objects in two dimensions or 3D under strictly defined angle), or finally use some common or element in all the compositions (an unusual shadow, irregular shapes, etc). Examples are countless. The style icon is dictated only by the style and design of the site designer's imagination. Item b. Since the overall style of the icons the same, then nothing prevents their sizes vary from interface to interface. It is only logical that the elements of the auxiliary interface may not be identical to the size of the elements, for example, the navigation interface. And it is also logical that all elements of the navigational interface, like any other, must have not only the general style, but the total size. Non-compliance with this rule leads to chehorde on the page and consequently confuses and scares the user. Item c. The most intuitive point. If the user does not understand what you mean by a picture of the icon, it is unlikely that he will push for it. Will not help as no tag ALT, no text caption (size of icons is often impossible to use the signature is longer than 10 - 15 characters). At this time formed a number of "stamps", which allow not "reinventing the wheel" clearly define the purpose of any icons, but this topic is one of the following articles. Item d. The interface is a helper page element, allowing the user to more quickly and comfortably get to that, for what he actually came to the content. This and only this single purpose interfaces. If "fun button" no longer perform its function of a unitary, then further use the site must be questioned. Naturally a "healthy" proportion of creativity must be present at all, but too far not worth it. If you have the opportunity to hold a focus group, then spend it. In the most basic case, we can just gather all your friends and drive to their particular perception of how the site entirely, and its individual components, in particular. By the way Make it a rule, always consult. No matter what level of knowledge of the person giving the advice and their opinions. It is important that you can look at their work through the eyes of strangers and may find subtle bugs for you. Item e. The intersection of interfaces, the imposition of them on each other, one of the most common "sins" of multifunctional portals. Often not an advanced user can not cope with so much opportunity to gather in one place. It creates fear, a sense of their own inadequacy and other negative emotions that do not add love to the site. Separate multiple interfaces, distribute them around the page, do not let their visual effect. I've listed the basic rules of stylistic interfaces. Of course, it's not all, the rest comes with experience, but compliance with at least five of these rules allow you to avoid embarrassing errors common to all novice web designers. 5. Layout elements Very often the design of the site there is a problem oversaturation. When the number of functions of a single interface passes for every imaginable and not imaginable boundaries. Naturally, in such a situation, the use of icons for each function, to put it mildly, unwarranted. For example, open a web browser Internet Explorer and look at the top of the screen. In piktogrammnom as there are only the most frequently used buttons. Backward, forward, stop, reload, etc. All the other features are hidden in the numerous menu. The same rule can be applied to the site. Highlights the most popular features icons, everything the user will not use all the time, should be struck out of the common interface and make it accessible, for example, on a separate page, the entrance to which is implemented by "Settings" button (well, for example). I wanted to write an article on piktogramms schedule, but it turned out for the most part about the interfaces. Promise in the following materials do not go to extremes and write strictly on the topic, but I hope that this article will at least in some help. Gladly listen to your feedback.