💁 Our Expert Suggests: Tool for designing icons: My Experience and Suggestions
As a first-time app builder working on a gym application, I recently encountered a problem regarding icons. Icons are an essential part of any app, and I needed a variety of icons to represent different exercises in my app. I turned to the r/iOSProgramming community for advice on what tools and resources to create iOS icons. In this article, I will share the suggestions I received and provide my insights on these tools.
Midjourney is focused on something other than creating app icons. Instead, it is a generative artificial intelligence program and service that generates images from natural language descriptions. A San Francisco-based independent research lab, Midjourney, Inc, hosts it. The tool is currently in open beta and allows users to create artwork using Discord bot commands.
With Midjourney, you can create simple icon designs by describing them in natural language. This innovative platform utilizes generative artificial intelligence to transform your textual descriptions into visually appealing icons. By leveraging the power of Midjourney, even users without extensive design skills can effortlessly generate custom icons that align with their creative vision.
One user suggested using SFSymbols, an Apple app that provides a comprehensive collection of vector symbols for various purposes. While SFSymbols may have only some icons you need, it is a great starting point and can save you a lot of time. I recommend exploring SFSymbols to see if it has the required icons.
Another popular choice mentioned by a user was Affinity Designer. This tool offers excellent support and provides helpful tutorials on YouTube to assist beginners. Affinity Designer's iOS version, in particular, works seamlessly with the Apple Pencil, making it easy to design icons quickly and efficiently. If you own an Apple Pencil, this could be a fantastic option.
Iconfinder and Feather Icons:
For those who prefer a broader selection of icons, iconfinder.com and feathericons.com were recommended. Iconfinder offers a mix of free and paid icons, while Feather Icons provides a set of customizable open-source icons to match your app's colour scheme. These platforms provide various choices and can help you find specific icons that suit your needs.If you work with SVG icons, Speculid might be a valuable tool. It automates the conversion from SVG to app icons and image sets, making the process more efficient. Additionally, speculid.com provides a source for icons you can mix and match to create custom icons for your app.
Platforms like fiverr.com can be a great resource if you prefer to outsource icon creation. Fiverr allows you to hire graphic designers at affordable rates. You can find talented professionals to create high-quality icons tailored to your requirements.
One user mentioned the value of a subscription to nounproject.com. This platform offers a vast collection of high-quality icons in vector format. The benefit of using vector icons is that they can be easily customized. Noun Project's subscription is a worthwhile investment for developers who frequently require icons for their projects.
In conclusion, numerous tools and resources are available for designing icons for iOS applications. Each suggestion I received offers its unique features and advantages. The choice ultimately depends on your preferences, budget, and specific icon requirements. You should explore these options and experiment with different tools to find the one that best suits your needs.
Remember, creating icons for your app enhances its visual appeal and usability. Take the time to choose icons that effectively represent your app's functionalities and align with its overall design. With the right tools and resources at your disposal, you can create stunning icons that enhance the user experience of your iOS application.
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