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Creating Icons

A guide to creating new icons that are consistent with our visual style.

Why it matters

Custom icons can communicate unique concepts that standard libraries miss. However, they must be built with the same grid, stroke weight, and visual logic as the rest of the set to feel native. Inconsistent icons break immersion and lower perceived quality.

Creation Playground

Visualize the underlying grid and geometry used to construct consistent icons.

Size Context
16px
24px
32px
48px

Construction Principles

Pixel Grid

Align points to the pixel grid to ensure icons look sharp on all screens.

Geometry

Build icons from basic shapes (circles, squares, rectangles) for consistency.

Optical Correction

Adjust visual weight so icons look balanced, not just mathematically equal.

Simplicity

Reduce details to the essential essence. Less is more at small sizes.

Creation Checklist

  1. Artboard Size

    Use a standard artboard size (e.g., 24x24px) for all new icons.

  2. Safe Area

    Keep content within a safe area (e.g., 2px padding) to prevent clipping.

  3. Stroke Alignment

    Center strokes or align them consistently (usually center or inside).

Previous: Usage Guidelines Next: Stroke Style