What are some best practices for matching icons and symbols with your color scheme and typography?

Prior to visual planning, I like to do a deep dive into the brand's competitors from both a market and visual standpoint (Who are they? What are their products and positioning? What colors do they identify with? What do their brand assets look like? What story does the brand tell? Etc.) This helps me understand the whitespace, which we can leverage to create a different, more compelling narrative.

When I match icons and symbols with my color scheme and typography, considering the purpose and audience is paramount. The choices I make must resonate with the users and serve the project's goals. For example, if I'm designing for a healthcare app, I opt for clear, universally recognizable icons with soothing colors that instill trust and calm. For a gaming interface, however, vibrant colors and dynamic icons better capture the excitement of the audience. Understanding who will interact with the design and what their expectations are guides me in creating a visually appealing and functional interface. Tailoring these elements to the audience ensures the design is not only attractive but also effective.

Stroke width is the most important element of icon design. Too chunky and detail is lost, too thin can create a sparse look. Find a happy medium and apply this consistently to your icon set.

Simpler is better. Icons should be clear and self explanatory. As a good rule of thumb, if you half close your eyes and can still see what the icon is then it works well. This is also a particularly important consideration for accessibility.

Fewer colours are better. You want your colour usage to be clear and well thought through. Use the fewest number of colours you can use on your icon set, and in most cases 1 colour is ideal. Keep colour consistent across all of your icons.

When matching icons and symbols with my color scheme and typography, I prioritize consistency and contrast. It's crucial to select icon colors that harmonize with the overall palette but still stand out enough to draw attention. For instance, using a bold color for icons against a subdued background enhances visibility without clashing. I also consider the emotional impact of colors—choosing hues that evoke the right feelings and complement the message of the text. Ensuring that icons have sufficient contrast not only adheres to accessibility standards but also enhances readability and user engagement.

When aligning typography with icons, consistency is key. I always ensure the icons and text share similar visual weights and styles, which helps create a cohesive and harmonious design. This alignment goes beyond mere aesthetics; it improves user comprehension and interaction. By carefully matching the boldness and formality of the typeface with the icons, the entire layout feels more intuitive and accessible. Choosing icons that resonate with the typeface's characteristics—whether modern, classic, or quirky—enhances the overall visual narrative and reinforces the brand message effectively.