Icons
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Definition
Icons in calm technology function as visual mnemonics that work with our natural pattern recognition abilities, conveying meaning through simple, recognizable forms that can be processed pre-attentively. Unlike traditional interface icons that demand attention, calm technology icons are designed to remain in our peripheral awareness until needed.
Summary
The design of icons for calm technology differs fundamentally from conventional interface design. While traditional icons often aim to attract attention through vibrant colors or detailed designs, calm technology icons operate more like environmental cues we encounter in the natural world. Think of how we recognize a door handle's form from our peripheral vision - we don't need to focus on it directly to understand its function.
Calm technology icons achieve their effectiveness through what's called "quiet design" - using simple, archetypal forms that our brains can process without conscious effort. This builds on our evolved ability to recognize basic patterns and shapes in our environment. Just as we can instantly recognize a tree's silhouette without analyzing its individual features, well-designed calm icons convey their meaning through fundamental forms that speak to our innate pattern recognition capabilities.
The power of calm icons lies in their ability to communicate without demanding attention. Consider how we recognize the meaning of a doorway without consciously processing its visual elements - the form itself suggests its function. Similarly, calm icons should convey their meaning through their essential form rather than through learned symbolic associations that require conscious interpretation.
Design Principles
Effective calm technology icons should:
- Use archetypal forms that map to natural pattern recognition
- Remain readable in peripheral vision
- Work at multiple scales and resolutions
- Avoid unnecessary detail or decoration
- Function through shape rather than color (color can enhance but shouldn't be required for meaning)
Implementation Guidelines
When designing icons for calm technology:
- Begin with the most basic form that conveys the essential meaning
- Test recognition in peripheral vision
- Ensure the icon works in monochrome
- Remove elements until reaching the simplest effective form
- Validate that the meaning is understood without conscious focus
Examples
- Power symbols: The simple line through a circle instantly conveys on/off state
- Door icons: Basic rectangles with swing lines indicate direction of operation
- Audio indicators: Wavelike forms suggest sound without requiring detailed examination
- Navigation markers: Arrow forms that can be recognized through peripheral vision
Common Pitfalls
- Overcomplicating forms with unnecessary detail
- Relying on symbols that require learned association vs. trying specifically to create icons that work with (see Calm Tech Principle VIII. Leverage familiar behaviors to introduce new ones https://www.calmtech.institute/calm-tech-principles)
- Using color (vs. shape) as the primary means of conveying information
- Creating icons that require focused attention to understand (this takes the user out of the task, like a conversation or flow, and forces a stopping point).
Further Reading
- Weiser, Mark and Brown, John Seely. "The Coming Age of Calm Technology" (1996)
- Gibson, James J. "The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception" (1979)
- Abdullah, Rayan and Hübner, Roger. "Pictograms, Icons & Signs: A Guide to Information Graphics" (2006)
- Norman, Donald. "The Psychology of Everyday Things" (1988)
- Case, Amber. Principles of Calm Technology (2014)
