Tips on Choosing Good Icons
Computer icons are graphical symbols that represent a property, function, or entity.
Icons in computer applications are used to execute commands and open programs or documents in a fast manner. The functionality behind the icons can be accessed by clicking on the icons. Numerous icon designers offer a variety of icons over the internet that can be used for different purposes. These pictorial miniatures, which are symbolic representations, convey instant meanings. A high quality icon can be expected to provide the user with a pleasant experience, which in turn increases production. The touchstone method for buying good quality icons are briefed in the following paragraphs.
ABC of Selecting Icons
As there are numerous websites in the internet that offer icons, you have to pick up the right website that offers quality icons. The touchstone method to identify a quality icon producer is the website itself. Browse through as many number of website as you can and select a few website that visually impressed you and that offer the kind of icons you need. Then check for the quality of the website in terms of aesthetics, design, usability, language standards, payment modes, years of experience, client reviews, etc. As most of the client reviews are made up ones look for reviews outside the site. Or you can try contacting the so called clients to make sure the testimonials are true. If these are genuine, then you can proceed further. Else the website is either spam or has substandard products.
Cost is one other thing to be noticed when buying quality icons. Although there exists a though competition in the field of designing, quality icon designers can only charge reasonably because of the labor involved. If the websites offer their products for a trivial price then you got to think twice as the products may be of low quality or they may be outdated. After narrowing down the number of website to two or three, you can start examining the icons for their quality. Most of the quality websites offer free download of icons for the clients to examine.
Once you have downloaded the free icons you can have a closer look to check if it fulfills the criteria mentioned in the touchstone method. The touchstone method includes the following tests. Check if the icons are provided in all file extensions, such as formats .png, .ico, icns so that you can choose the icons according to your operating system. While .PNG is suitable for Windows applications, toolbars, mobile phone applications, Linux applications, and websites, .ICO is for Windows applications and .ICNS is for Macintosh applications.