Simple icons are among the principal features of minimalistic design. Moreover, simple icons along with other elements of design should be used moderately. Reduce the amount of simple icons. Use them only where it is absolutely necessary. Optional simple web icons are to be refrained from repetition or eluded. They may serve multiple functions.
Limited amount of color, reserved shades, clear elements, soft lighting are being used for simple web icons design. Simple web icons are produced out of elegant and simple elements which do not distract internet site visitors from the main navigation and web page idea.
Rules for simple icons design:
- minimal usage of duplication
- less amount of graphical elements
- maximum intuitive clarity
- clear typography in simple web icons
- less icons
Simple web icons and minimalistic design
Don't forget about lightweight background textures and patterns. They are also essential for the design and content perception as well as simple icons. The background pattern or images shouldn't grab all the attention of your visitors. The eyes should focus on the web page content or some main blocks. Building the background use a light simple shade. This makes it secondary compared with the foreground items like simple web icons.
Clear typography is another prominent feature of the lightweight and clear design. Simple icons names (if there're any) should be precise, meaningful and equivalent to their function. Also use understandable and enough large font for headings on simple web icons.
Also for creating a great clean simple icons design you may use enough white or empty space. Extra spaces keep elements separate and thus more readable and simpler to work with. Some extra space between simple web icons will do your design no harm at all.
Generally the minimalistic trend is not entirely minimal. Despite its great amount of white space there are still some simple icons, light textures, neat styles and bold fonts. Remember minimal is not exactly the same as simple. Initially minimal meant plain typographic excluding images and styling. But contemporary design demands something much more than black text on white background to make the internet site distinguish among thousands of other plain webpages. Add more zest to your website layout with a help of some unusual coloring, catchy simple icons, half-transparent and lightweight textures and patterns. Also reduce elements of design to the most essential items.
Simple is often used as a synonym of smart. While creating the modern website design you should bear in mind the eternal truth stating that genius lies in simplicity. Simple icons look fantastic and professional especially for a clean business style design.
