On August 9, 2016 | By Maryellen Lazzaro | Design, Icons, Tips
The Power of Icons
In graphic design, an icon is a small symbol or pictogram that represents an idea, action or program. When used online or in print, icons can be powerful illustrations, especially for a recurring subject.
For instance, Maryellen designed in Illustrator the medical specialty icons shown here. One captures cardiology (bottom right) and could be used effectively whenever that service is being marketed or written about, whether it be in a brochure, on a web site, in a newsletter, for signage, on banners, or used as the art for a logo. Others icons shown here represent OB/GYN, sports medicine, primary care, ambulatory care, lab, neurology, hand surgery, ophthalmology and weight control.
When used consistently, a single icon or a family of icons can become…well, iconic. Icons serve as a shorthanded almost navigational cue, immediately previewing the information for the audience.
Tip 1. When designing an icon think about how it can translate to one flat color as well as multiple colors. Also, when creating a series of icons use a style that makes the icons individually unique (to avoid redundancy) but still feels like a family collectively.
Tip 2. When looking to purchase an inexpensive icon from a stock house, seek out flat vector-based images. Ideally, if you have the ability, modify the stock icon to better reflect your organization’s branding.
> If you need help creating an icon or series of icons or if you are interested in purchasing any of the icons shown here, give Lazzaro Designs a call or shoot us an email.
Maryellen Lazzaro is pleased to add Burke Rehabilitation & Research to our client roster. Maryellen is designing a Development Committee Orientation Manual. The 50+-page manual will be prepared in MS Word to make it easy for Burke to regularly update the content.