Icons

=**Icons**=

Icons are small representational images that are usually in the form of symbols which are found on a graphical user interface. The purpose of icons is to simplify the interactivity between user and system. They are typically found on desktops, toolbars, and within applications themselves, and are usually designed to suggest the action they would perform when clicked.
 * //What are icons?//**

Typically the user would single click or double click the icon, and would result in some sort of action. This action involves several results, some include being redirected to another page, opening a program or file, which also contains icons. Besides icons being able to be clicked, they can also be dragged, dropped, rearranged, copied and deleted.
 * //How do we use icons?//**
 * //Example 1//: The //"trash"// icon indicates exactly its purpose -- that is to do away with something. A user would "//throw away"// a file into the trash//,// so to speak, because he or she does not want the file anymore. The same user could //"empty the trash//" if he or she wants to get rid of the file completely. By doing so, he or she will not be able to retrieve the file.
 * //Example 2//: When we click the internet icon, it results in the opening up of a web browser. This browers is a page with multiple icons we can click. These icons enable us to interact with the system. (To name a few: the refresh icon, or the back and forward page icons)
 * See examples of Mac OSX icons [|here]

The design of Icons are usually very simple since not much detail can be recognizable when its size has to be taken into consideration. The way it is interpreted also has to be easily understandable. For example, again, the //"trash"// icon looks like a trash can and thus it is easily and universally recognized as the container where we can throw away things we do not want. Sizes of icons range from 16 by 16 pixels to 128 by 128 pixels, depending on the operating system and display settings.
 * //What do they look like?//**

//**What are types of icons?**//

__//Symbolic icons//__: Uses images to represent an action, object or concept at a higher degree of abstraction. Best used for easily recognizable objects. Examples are the icons for a car function for unlocking or locking a door. The padlock looks nothing like the actual control but we are familiar with the image of a lock to make the connection that when we press the button it will either lock or unlock the door.

//__Similar icons__//: Uses visuals that are analogous to an action, object, or concept. Most effective when representing simply actions, objects, or concepts. For example, a right turn sign.

__//Example icons//__: Uses images that are commonly associated with an action, object, or concept. Best used for complex actions, objects, or concepts. For example an airport sign is an icon of an airplane opposed to an actual airport.

__//Arbitrary icons//__: Uses images that have no relation to the action, object, or concept. The relationship has to be learned. These icons should be used for cross-cultural and industry standards that will be used for a long period of time. Therefore people will be exposed to the icon long enough to build the relationship and to understand it. For example, the radioactive sign. A sign that resembles nothing to the concept but we learn it for our own safety.

There are many different situations for different types of icons but the main reason why we use icons is because its effective. It is effective because they are fast to read, can be understood across cultures, and reduces the amount of space taken up.


 * References**

Butler, Lidwell, and Kritina Holden. __Universal Principles of Design.__ Massachusettes: Rockport Publishers, 2003. "Icon Definition." The Linux Information Project. 19 June 2005. Linux. 08 Jan. 2008 <[|http://www.linfo.org/icon.html>.]

Created by: msotto