Icons

Icons are metaphorical, graphic representations of ideas, objects, or actions that are pretty much a standard part of mobile app design. Users encounter them in navigation menus, forms, buttons, inputs — you name it. However, their aesthetic role is secondary.

Apart from making an interface more visually appealing, icons fulfill other roles:

• Help users identify actions and complete tasks faster
• Minimize clutter on the screen (especially relevant for mobile interfaces)
• Eliminate language barriers
• Improve brand recognizability

Many designers want to create unique sets of icons for their products. However, if people can't identify the icon's meaning at a glance, they slow down when completing their tasks and get frustrated.

Stick to generally recognized, familiar icons and avoid overdoing design. The fewer the details, the faster users recognize the symbols and move forward with their flow.