Consider users

Each time you create or add an icon to your designs, think about the users you're designing for. You want the icons you choose to be inclusive, accessible, and easily understandable for all of the users that your product will reach.

Keep in mind these three best practices when it comes to using icons in designs:

• Make icons universal.

  • Consider whether an icon is culturally or geographically specific before adding it to your designs.
  • Your goal should be to include icons that everyone recognizes and understands, regardless of their background.
  • For example, most users are familiar with the idea that the house icon means "home" which can help everyone navigate your app.

• Consider including a text label.

  • Usually, text labels are included in small font directly below an icon.
  • Including a text label ensures that users who use a screen reader or a new adopter of technology are able to identify the icon.
  • In addition, a text label can clearly describe (in one word!) what the icon means, like writing the label "Search" under a magnifying glass icon.

• Keep branding clear.

  • Everything across your app needs to have the same color scheme, the same font, and and the same style.
  • For example, check out the icon set for the Material Design website, and you’ll notice that the color and design flow well between each icon set, and none of the icons look out of place.