Week 9 Page 5: Directional Graphics and Icons
Using Graphics to Create Unity and Eyeflow
Directional graphics and icons are important contributors to site unity and flow. A consistent style and set of graphics and icons can really tie a site together. Here are some ideas for incorporating graphics and icons into a design.
Use a Consistent Style
Your graphics and icons need to look like they belong with each other and to the rest of the site. If you have a triangle theme in the main design, use triangle graphics as supporting elements (don't use circles). In the following design, the main illustration has a red outline theme. Note that the icons in the design reflect this same style:
In the design below, icons are used as a texture in the top banner and then as graphic highlights for the content below.
Use Icon Sets for Consistency
If you need icons for a site, consider downloading a vector set or using Bootstrap or WordPress icons. This way any directional graphics or icons in your design will have the same look.
- Free vector icons: http://www.flaticon.com/ Links to an external site.
- Glyphicons for Bootstrap: http://getbootstrap.com/components/ Links to an external site.
Use Icons and Graphics Creatively
Consider alternatives to standard icons such as arrows, forward/back triangles etc. and look for interesting alternatives (provided they are understandable). This site uses curly brackets as the forward/back icons for a slide show. These icons are certainly in keeping with the mood of the design but do you think they are understandable to a user?
http://studiohbd.com/invitations/#
Links to an external site.