Recognizing Common Design Icons
Icons are all around us. We may not realize it because so many of them have become familiar in our everyday lives and routines. But just like the phrase “music is a universal language”, icons themselves are their own language as well, recognized and understood by many people around the world.
So, what are icons and what do they do? Icons are a visual symbol that stands for something else, and they usually convey an underlying meaning. They are an essential part of many user interfaces, and if done correctly, they can communicate the core message that the product is trying to convey.
There are many benefits to using icons, such as being able to save space on a screen or surface, and having them be easily recognizable. They can make messages more meaningful and memorable, and even cross language barriers. So, let’s take a look at some common icons that are often found and used in any household.
Washing labels
This is a photo that I took of a label from a ball of yarn, which included the washing instructions. As you can see with these icons, they have the icons labeled. However, I recognized that these same icons are usually used on clothing items, where they normally don’t have a text label but are still recognized by many.
Iron
With these label icons, I realized that a lot of them tried to replicate real life. For example, there’s a symbol that looks exactly like an iron, showing that it is okay to use on this kind of material.
Machine Washable
This icon shows that the material is machine washable by showing water, and even says the recommended temperature that it can be washed at.
Dryer
The square with the circle inside represents a dryer, which looks similar to a lot of front-loading dryers on the market. This is stating if it should go in the machine or if it should be hanged to dry.
Normally, if these washing instructions aren’t recommended for a given material, you will see these icons with an X through them.
At the end of the day, these icons help your clothing remain in good quality and last a long time. If not labeled properly, and materials aren’t cared for in the right way, the fabric could rip, shrink or the colour could run when washed with other clothes. Additionally, these labels are usually written on a very small tag on your clothes, so it’s helpful that they can be shown using icons rather than very small text. You also wouldn’t want a big tag hanging off of your clothes.
TV Remote
When users pick up a remote, it is usually because they are seeking some form of entertainment. They don’t want to spend a long time trying to look for a button, especially in situations like when they suddenly get a phone call and want to pause the show that they’re watching.
Power Button
Power buttons and switches are usually labeled with “I” and “O” symbols. This “I” represents power on and the “O” represents power off. This symbol has become easily recognized on pretty much all electronic devices, as this is the main button that turns a device on and off.
Volume
An icon resembling a speaker is often used to represent volume. In this case, the plus and minus button represent an increase or decrease in the volume, so users know which side they need to press.
Source and Mute
Icons that aren’t as familiar have a text label (i.e., the source and mute button). These are icons that may only be familiar to some people, such as a younger audience. But a lot of older adults and seniors use TV remotes as well, so it’s important that it can be easily understood by them as well.
Play, Pause, Rewind, Fast-forward
These icons have become easily recognizable on many video players, even online with players such as YouTube and Netflix. Even popular music players like Spotify use icons like these.
There is no doubt that icons have helped improve people’s user experience, and have an easier time using a product. It’s reassuring to know that even if I stay in a hotel in a foreign country, I will still be able to watch TV. But it is important that they are clear, familiar, and used in the right way. I think that it’s important that icons look and remain consistent. If they change too much, users won’t be able to recognize them and will have a frustrating time figuring out what they mean.
