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Iconography Research

Apple ‘Safari’ Icon

This icon has been creating using a design which represents the functionality of the application, a compass symbolises the function of a search engine as we would use a compass to guide us when lost or in order to locate the correct path. The style of the icon is relatively simple containing only three colours, however, there has been use of varying tones to introduce shading in order to portray a depth to the icon. I would present that the icon suggests emotions of excitement and opportunity through the association of a compass which alludes to adventure and discovery.

Zoom Icon (Mac)

This particular icon is incredibly straight forward and simple, the icon represents a video camera which summarises the function of the application – video chatting. The icon interprets only two basic shapes – a rectangle and a triangle, both have been modified ever so slightly using curving and cropping. I believe that this is a very affective and attractive icon, it is easily understood and recognised for the application it represents, it is sleek and the simplicity of both shape and colour portray a modern appeal.

 

Apple ‘Photos’ Icon

Unlike the two previous icons, this example differs slightly using a more abstract image opposed to strictly functional. the icon represents the spectrum of colour which makes up our photographs – as well as anything seen by the human eye. Each colour presented overlaps one another portraying the depth of possibility to colour. I would suggest that this icon portrays emotions of curiosity and fascination through the implication of possibility that the spectrum of colour represents.

 

Each of the icons I have presented are in the MacOS format, the structure on which is consistent across all of a circular format. This varies between devices, such as on the iPhone and iPad where all icons are made up of a square with rounded edges. However, despite the variation depend on device, each device itself has a consistent structure which makes its icons recognisable.

Rob Janoff & The Apple Logo

One of the most famous icons on earth is the Apple logo, this was designed by Rob Janoff in 1977. Since then the logo has incurred some small altercations but the basic structure has remained unchanged. The longevity of Janoff’s design is a testament to how affective simplicity really is, a truth that continually serves and remains in contemporary design today. In a 2013 interview Janoff simply stated “If you have a computer named after a piece of fruit, maybe the image should look like the fruit?”.

Published inVIC107

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