What is an icon?

Icons are an indispensable part of the daily work with computers and an essential component of the graphical user interfaces that make up contemporary software design. Icons are small graphical images. They are found on the desktop and in the programs and are activated by clicking or double-clicking them.  They are visible and comfortable to use. Icons represent various applications and provide an easy and quick access to them. These small pictures may stand for files, programs, operation system elements. When you click the icon, certain command is executed (e.g. open folder). They are small-sized and usually have a square form. They are very convenient to use and differentiate between different modules within web interface applications.

Creation of icons depends on the operation system you use. In the Windows XP operation system the best option is 16, 32 and 48 pixel icons, whereas in Windows Vista 256x256 are most commonly used. There may be icons of various sizes for one and the same application. Usually icons are standard and advanced systems designate them by default. The type of an icon is determined by the file type. Icons for graphic files may look like a small copy of the image in the file itself. Contemporary interfaces can do this with documents, presentations and other non-graphic files as well. It is not necessary for the icon to be static. The icon for the internet connection in the Windows system displays data transfer in progress.

Principally we select an image that corresponds to the program which the icon represents. Thus, an envelope may be used for the icon for an e-mail program and a music note may be the picture of the media player icon.

Structurally, stock icons are small and have universally accepted sizes, varying within the range of 16 x 16 pixels up to 48 x 48. Icons for Macs can be bigger – 128 x 128 pixels. Every icon is made up of several images with transparent ends in order for the screen to be seen through the outer parts of the icon. So, it looks as if the icon is skimming about its place on the desktop.

Icons consist of several images in various colors and sizes in order for Mac OS or Windows to determine the most suitable form for screen display in all concrete applications. This depends on the number of colors that are exhibited on the screen, as well as on the place where the icons will emerge. Icons displaying on Windows task bar are typically 16 x 16. However, the ones on the desktop are 48 x 48.

One icon contains within each file and groups of icons are arranged into libraries. “ICO” is the extension of Window icons. Mac icons’ extensions are “ICNS”, “RSC”, “RSRC” and “BIN”.

The conventional icons characterizing the operation systems sometimes do not meet the requirements and taste of all users. Nowadays there are many people or companies that design and create new icons. They may be just separate ones or groups of icons united by one theme. Icons that are specially designed for someone are usually used instead of traditional ones existing in the operation system of your computer. The purpose of this replacement is to bring individuality, show attitude or emotion.

It is less difficult for most people to find the program or file they need by its interesting and noticeable appearance, not by its name. Custom icons can make the use of your computer simpler and more pleasant, can give your desktop different appearance or you can just enjoy collecting or looking at them.