Our Concept
At The Icon Set, our concept is creating versatile, high-quality Figma icons that simplify your design process while enhancing the user experience.
Our icon pack concept is rooted in minimalism, clarity, and functionality. It provides a seamless visual language that communicates effectively across digital platforms. We aim to offer an icon set that looks great and serves a practical purpose, whether for mobile app design, website design, or software interfaces.
Our library includes over 5,200+ Figma icons meticulously designed with scalability and adaptability.Each flat icon follows our principle of clean, modern, and professional design. This way, we know they will integrate smoothly into any project without overwhelming the user interface. Available in multiple formats - such as SVG, PNG, and more, our icon pack is customizable to meet the specific needs of UI/UX designers and developers.
At The Icon Set, we believe great UI/UX design begins with simplicity. Our Figma icons are crafted to be intuitive, universally recognizable, and visually appealing – so you can deliver a modern and professional user interface.
With regular updates and new additions, our icon pack concept is to continuously provide the freshest and most relevant icons, allowing creatives to stay ahead of design trends. Whether you need flat icons, colorful, or brand icons, our concept ensures that your digital projects are always visually engaging and user-friendly.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Icons
What Are Icons?
Icons are small graphics representing a specific task, action, or information on a user interface. These tiny UI elements quickly communicate the concept, helping users instantly understand what each part of the interface does.
A UI design icon often reflects a real-life object or situation. For example, once a calendar icon is pressed, it redirects to a section about the calendar itself. The user does not need to think twice about the icon's meaning.
Icons are small graphics representing a specific task, action, or information on a user interface. These tiny UI elements quickly communicate the concept, helping users instantly understand what each part of the interface does.
A UI design icon often reflects a real-life object or situation. For example, once a calendar icon is pressed, it redirects to a section about the calendar itself. The user does not need to think twice about the icon's meaning.
Icons as a Universal Language
Why do we use icons? Simple! To replace words and make the entire user experience more animated. But this all comes down to one single aspect: icons act as a universal language, transcending cultural, linguistic, or other social barriers. This is why, with a well-designed icon pack, users can instantly understand actions or information much faster.
For example, a heart icon universally symbolizes "liking" or "favoriting" something. Users don't need to read or learn what the icon represents—they intuitively know that once they tap the heart icon, they are expressing engagement with the post or saving the item for future reference. This is the same for a gear icon for settings or even a lock icon for security or privacy.
The Role of Icons in Modern Society
Although icon packs are used in user interfaces, we can find symbols and icons all around us—from street signs to packaging to app and website design. The purpose of an icon pack in all situations is easy: they communicate actions more quickly than text would.
Think about the road signs! If you're driving a car, you need more time to read what the text says. Instead, you look at the "Stop" symbol and immediately understand that you must stop.
This is the same for Figma icons in UI design as well. This way, users can navigate through our product design much faster, making actions more intuitive.
This is the case for icons, symbols, and logos. All of these are used for visual communication, instant recognition, and universal understanding. When we think about Nike, we immediately think about their swoosh logo. Everyone has become so aware of it that there is no doubt about it. Whether we're talking about flat icons, symbols, or logos, they aren't just functional but have also become iconic (no pun intended) representations.
Chapter 2: The Historical Evolution of Icons
Icons in Ancient Civilizations
Iconography is the oldest form of communicating with one another. From Ancient Egypt to Mesopotamia, China, and beyond, icons were the main form of communication – whether it was through pictograms, hieroglyphics, or even ideograms.
People from these early civilizations used visual symbols to convey messages, share knowledge, or keep records. Although they were more abstract, they all came down to one thing: illustrating complex ideas through simple visuals instead of writing down the ideas.
Even more so, iconography has also been widely used in medieval and religious contexts. In the medieval period, we can see icons used in manuscripts and church art – all conveying spiritual narratives and other religious concepts. Because of these, icons were more than just decorative; they held a spiritual significance and were extremely important to religious practice.
One thing is clear: iconography has been extremely important in human history from the earliest religious symbols and has shaped the way we communicate nowadays.
Icons in Early Graphic Design
As we evolved, we moved past abstract symbols to more to-the-point and flat icons that expressed complex ideas simply.
One of the earliest examples of how icons were used in our modern world was the development of transit maps. Creating a set of icons and pictograms that would illustrate the entire train map was absolutely revolutionary. Not only did it eliminate the need for text, but it also opened the doors for multiple ways of using images and symbols in our modern everyday lives.
Even more so, as printing and advertising became more popular, a domain also grew along with branding. One of the earliest ways of establishing and creating a brand? The logo. Even back then, companies used their logo to express their brand's essence. For example, the red triangle for Bass Brewery is one of the earliest registered trademarks, becoming a symbol of quality and tradition.
Icons in the Digital Age
In the digital age, icons have a whole new meaning, yet they continue to serve their fundamental purpose: simplifying communication. Today, icons are small symbols used in graphical user interfaces (GUI) for websites, mobile applications, or other digital products.
Believe it or not, the first icon appearing on a graphical user interface was only in the early 70s!
The Xerox Alto, developed in 1973, is often referred to as one of the first to use icons in a graphical user interface (GUI), including icons that represent files, folders, and even applications. Although Xerox Alto wasn't quite a "consumer" machine, it all led to the release of Xerox Star, being the first consumer model to use UI icons.
All of these influenced the implementation of icons in personal computers. In 1983, Apple launched the Apple Lisa, which included user interface icons almost identical to those of Xerox. This led to the creation of Macintosh's icons, which were legen-wait for it-dary.
Susan Kare, who designed the Apple icons, stated, "I believe that good icons are more akin to road signs rather than illustrations, and ideally should present an idea in a clear, concise, and memorable way. I try to optimize for clarity and simplicity even as palette and resolution options have increased."
Chapter 3: Types of Icons
1. Pictorial Icons
Pictorial UI icons represent visual representations of real-world objects. For example, a calendar icon for the calendar section, a camera icon for photos, or even an envelope icon to illustrate an email message. Pictorial Icons are the most basic and commonly used type of icons in the design process and can be found in universally understood actions.
Their recognizable nature ensures that users instantly understand what they must do or what actions to perform without confusion. When choosing the perfect icon pack for us, we must ensure that it contains these pictorial icons as they are the ones that improve user experience.
Examples of Pictorial Icons: file folder icons for documents, camera icon for photos, clock icon for setting an alarm, home icon for navigating to the homepage.
2. Abstract Icons
Abstract icons are icons that don't directly represent physical objects in their realest form, but they do symbolize actions or ideas through shapes. For example, the Wi-Fi signal icon or the cloud icon for online storage. Because they do not exist in a tangible, physical form, UI/UX designers rely on symbolistic imagery to express what they might look like.
This is why abstract icons express conceptual actions, such as "uploading" or "syncing." However, do not use abstract icons for well-known objects. Imagine seeing an abstract shape for a trash can. It would confuse everyone because they are used to universally recognized items.
Examples of Abstract Icons: a Wi-Fi icon for wireless connectivity, a rephresh icon for a circular arrow icon, a Bluetooth icon representing the letter B in angular lines, and a cloud icon for online storage.
3. Functional Icons
Functional UI Icons represent the specific action, command, or function that is illustrated. This means the icon will perform the same functionality as the illustrated object. For example, the magnifying glass represents "Search," the play icon expresses a call to action to play the file, and even the phone icon encourages us to call someone.
Similar to pictorial icons, this type of icon pack allows us to understand the action that we must perform quickly. Even more so, these are the most found regarding app icons.
Examples of Functional Icons are a magnifying glass for searching, a floppy disk icon for saving (despite being an outdated technology), a Notes icon for taking notes, and a phone icon for calling someone.
4. Brand Icons
Icons are not just visual symbols used in the user interface. Instead, we can also use icons as logos and make them part of a brand's visual identity. However, unlike other types of icons, these symbols represent a way to recognize the brand and understand its personality. Whether it's Nike's swoosh or Apple's iconic half-apple logo, these favicons are created to express a message.
Just like all icons, we've seen a transition from bulky, completely detailed icon logos to more minimalistic and streamlined designs. This modern aesthetic of favicons allows us to focus on the essential: communicating our brand ideas and messages clearly and efficiently. Such brand icons can take different icon forms, whether it’s 3D, skeuomorphic, or even a simple flaticon.
Examples of Brand Icons: Nike's Swoosh icon, X's X icon, Apple's half-apple icon, Facebook's F icon, and Discord's smiling game controller icon.
5. Flat Icons
The most commonly used icon set in a UI design usually has a flaticon style (or at least a semi-flat one). They are known for their clean, simple, and minimalist model, primarily due to the fact they lack complex details and focus on clear lines. However, UI/UX designers employ flaticons because they have a high visual appeal and contrast, making our UI design more modern.
Google's Material Design icons, Android icons, and iOS icons are prime examples of this trend. These icon packs rely on flat design principles to create universally recognizable icons that look good on all screens and devices.
Examples of Flat Icons: Thin icons, Line icons, Solid icons, Duocolor icons, Duotone icons
6. 3D Icons
Do you want to make that hero section pop? Use 3D icons! Unlike flat icons, 3D icons offer a sense of movement and even vibrancy to the entire product design, making them more modern and visually appealing.
Unlike skeuomorphic icons, 3D icons incorporate perspective, shadows, and highlights to give the appearance of a physical object integrated into real life. Plus, if you're more into maximalism design, 3D icons can contribute to creating a dynamic and interactive user interface.
This type of icon is mainly found in gaming interfaces and VR and AR environments. 3D icons excel at bringing characters, controls, or even objects to life with realistic depth and detail, helping create a more immersive experience.
7. Skeuomorphic Icons
Skeuomorphism design is all about having a nostalgic look. For this reason, skeuomorphic icons offer a more detailed look—whether it's the lines, shades, or even colors. In fact, this type of UI icon is known for its realistic 3D look. For example, Instagram's initial logo featured a detailed, skeuomorphic design of a vintage camera—with realistic textures, gradients, and shadows.
As we move towards a more minimalist and flat design, skeuomorphic UI icons need to be more flexible in modern digital interfaces. For this reason, you will be less likely to see app icons with a skeuomorphic style. However, it might resurge in certain contexts, such as gaming and VR.
8. Animated Icons
Animated icons are a dynamic evolution of traditional UI icons. Whether they start as pictorial or functional icons or adopt a specific style, like 3D icons, animated icons are directly integrated into the design interaction process. They can be triggered by certain user actions such as hovering, clicking, or even scrolling, bringing elements to life through movement.
This use of motion from our icon pack adds interactivity to the entire product design, making the user experience and the aesthetics of the user interface more engaging and interactive. With animated icons, we improve our whole UI UX design and increase our chances of increasing user satisfaction and the number of returning users.
Even more so, animated icons are more and more implemented into product design, as micro-interactions have become the latest UI UX design trend. Plus, let's face it: animated icons are much more fun than static ones (especially when/if used right).
Chapter 4: The Psychology of Icon Design
How Icons Influence User Perception
One thing is clear: symbols and suggestive images help users quickly identify functions or features faster than text.
This is due to our brain's ability to process visual patterns more efficiently than reading a text. The visual cortex, which is located at the back of our brain, allows us to process much more information simultaneously. For instance, instead of having to read "save," our brains have become wired to associate the Floppy Disk, allowing us to make decisions faster.
At the same time, the text should be simple enough so that the user can immediately understand. For this reason, there's little room for experimentation. With UI icons, on the other hand, the possibilities are endless. Whether you want to adopt a flat icon set for a more minimalistic feel or a skeuomorphic icon set for a more nostalgic and detailed aesthetic, icons are suggestive enough to allow us to play with the style and the perception we want users to have.
In fact, studies show that well-designed icons can increase comprehension, improve recall, and enhance user satisfaction. And the reason? Simple: they shape user perceptions, guide their navigation and interactions, and contribute to a better UI/UX design overall. And the result?
In fact, studies show that well-designed icons can increase comprehension, improve recall, and enhance user satisfaction. And the reason? Simple: they shape user perceptions, guide their navigation and interactions, and contribute to a better UI/UX design overall. And the result?
Increased number of Returning Users
The Emotional Impact of Icons
Not only does our brain recognize shapes much easier, but icons can also evoke specific emotional responses after seeing specific colors or styles.
Icons are more than functional elements in UI design. They're also components that can help us, as UI/UX designers express certain feelings and personalities through their design.
For example, a rounded icon can feel friendly, while sharp edges might convey danger or even seriousness. At the same time, the blue color of icons might express a calming effect, while a red notification badge will automatically explain the urgency of the action. And that's not all! Both flat icons and animated icons can also add a touch of dynamism, making the user feel excited about using the user interface.
Cognitive Load and Icon Simplicity
Yes, incorporating UI Icons into our design is a must! However, some UI/UX designers make one mistake: adding too many icons or even combining icon styles. As UI/UX designers, we must understand the balance between simplicity and recognizability.
Figma Icons can change the look and feel of our UI/UX designs, so we need to choose them wisely when implementing them. Icons that are too complex can confuse users, while overly simplistic icons might lack clarity—especially when it comes to specific abstract icons or non-universal flat icons, like arrow icons, people icons, and so on.
Think about your users! Whether they're accessing your digital product for the first time or the hundredth time, the user must understand exactly what you want to express immediately. This is especially the case when using an icon pack.
Chapter 5: Iconography in Different Design Contexts
Icons in Web Design
Indeed, icons are minimal elements within the web design. However, they significantly impact the user interface and the entire user experience.
In most cases, icons serve for navigational purposes. They help the interface visually communicate actions and assist users in locating different sections of a website. By using icons,
UI/UX designers can provide intuitive cues that guide users through the interface.
Unlike mobile app design, where app icons are the primary focus of the navigation bar, icons are used as supplementary elements in web design to improve the entire user experience. This is also the case for buttons, call-to-action elements, and other interactive components, where icons provide visual support.
An icon set is also used in web design to describe features. A website is about presenting information to engage the user and make them want to learn more about it. However, seeing too much text might overwhelm them. This is where icons come into play! UI Icons can describe our products and services functions and features in a more engaging and fun way.
Icons in Mobile App Design
According to ASO (App Store Optimization), the icon is the most vital UI element in app design. As UI/UX designers, we all know that designing for mobile screens or even smaller screens requires better organization of how we place our elements. The reason is simple: the space is automatically smaller than on larger screens.
We sometimes need more space for text or certain buttons. The solution? App icons.
This is why app icons usually tend to replace text. App icons, like the "hamburger" menu, the magnifying glass for search, or even the home icon, have become universally recognizable symbols that can be used independently to improve navigation efficiency. However, these must be placed in a way that makes sense to the user while also not causing confusion or visual noise.
Think about WhatsApp! The navigation bar (the most important part of mobile app design) lets us quickly switch between screens. However, if you want to access more features, WhatsApp combines text and icons. This dual approach ensures that icons provide visual shortcuts while also offering clarity to the actions.
Consistency and Clarity in Icon Design
Maintain visual consistency in the use of icons throughout the user interface. So, make sure to choose an icon pack that is uniform in its visual style, size, and even placement to create an intuitive and easily recognizable design language. This will help our users build familiarity with both the design and our icons, increasing the overall user experience.
Think about it! Let's see two scenarios. In the first scenario, you visit a bookstore blog and see the "book" icon, which takes you to a section of recommended books. In the second scenario, a monkey is the button icon that takes you to the recommended books list. There's no doubt which scenario communicates the meaning more clearly.
At the same time, when you look at the Arrow Icon – whether it's an arrow up or down, you'll see that both straightforwardly express the directions. The consistent use of the arrow icon ensures that users can quickly grasp the meaning, regardless of the context in which they are used.
This is why, when looking for an icon set, we must be careful! Free icons that we find on the internet might be really cool. However, if they lack consistency, they might negatively impact our entire UI UX design.
Scalability and Adaptability
Our icon pack should be clear in terms of meaning and visual clarity. In most cases, icons will be the UI elements that guide the user through your digital product.
This is why it is important to use an icon pack that can be clearly understood at various sizes and across different devices. Like any other image, symbol, or UI element, scalability ensures that our UI/UX design will look good no matter where it is displayed—whether on a small mobile screen or a large desktop monitor.
When we look at an icon, we shouldn't have to zoom in on our screen. Even more so, it should be clear and manageable, too. So, make sure to integrate an SVG icon pack that can be scaled without losing quality.
Simple is Better
Avoid complex Figma icons. This is the number one rule when working with an icon set. The more complex our icons are, the more visual noise and cognitive load they will have, especially on mobile app design or smaller screens.
When picking which icon to introduce in the UI design, prioritize its functionality and purpose rather than its appearance. Yes, aesthetics are important for making our UI design prettier. However, icons should primarily serve a functional role: helping users understand the meaning of the respective action.
So, stick to simplicity! An icon set can look good even when simple (Like The Icon Set).
Use Universal Icons
The most important aspect of an icon pack is to be universally recognizable. Try to use symbols that visually represent the idea in the most basic way – instead of metaphorically. For example, a profession like a musician can be conveyed through a microphone icon. This is especially true with already-established visual representations, such as Settings, Home, Search, etc.
With such icon sets, users can quickly understand an icon's purpose or function without looking at text explanations. This provides a more intuitive and user-friendly interface. At the same time, using universal icons can also prevent us from mistakenly using insensitive icons that might have different meanings or even icons that might not be accessible.
For example, the "OK" hand gesture is often used to indicate confirmation or approval. However, believe it or not, this simple icon has a different meaning in certain situations. While the thumbs-up icon can be considered "OK" for most of us, it is associated with a rude and vulgar connotation in Brazil.
Chapter 7: Check out The Icon Set 🚀
Are you looking for a specific icon or an icon pack?
The Icon Set has got you covered! From flaticons to brand logos to favicon elements, app icons, and so many others, The Icon Set is the only design resource you'll need to bring your projects to life!
Access our ultimate Figma Icon Library of over 5,200 icons! We've created a complete icon pack for modern and professional UI/UX design.
5,200+ Icons in 5 Styles: Line, Solid, Duo Color, Duotone, and Thin
Created with Variables: Designed with variables that can be reused across multiple design projects
Extensive Variety: From communication icons to navigation icons, arrow icons, and so many other general icons – all beautifully organized in 16 categories
Customizable: Our Figma Icons are easily customizable, allowing you to adjust colors, sizes, and styles – everything you need in just a few clicks!
Created by Designers for Designers: We think about the little details, so you don't have to! We've created a complete icon pack for your design needs!
Free Icons Pack: Our Icon Set includes a free version of 520+ free icons that you can use in unlimited projects.
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Line, Light, Duotone, Duocolor and Solid