Iconography is an important element of web design. It, as its name suggests, refers to the icons that, often invisibly, accompany texts.
These icons, if well chosen, help the perception of texts by visually symbolizing what the text tells us in words. In semiotics, this is called redundancy – the accumulation of two or more signs that symbolize the same thing. In design, however, this redundancy is often necessary and useful.
One of the most common icons in the world is the international symbol for saving content – the floppy disk. Call icon – phone, email icon – letter. These icons are so common that they do not need text, which saves space and allows the designer to collect more options.
On the other hand, it often happens that on different websites the same icons are used for the same thing. Often, such gaps in the associated meaning are observed even on the same site. Therefore, most icons do not have a specific meaning. They are used for decoration.
Tip
As discussed, icons contribute to the perception of a given text without it being read (or available). If it is well selected (or widely distributed) the icon can also exist independently and convey the meaning we need (which is the original function of this design element).
Decoration
In addition to being a tip or conveying meaning, icons, as long as they are well selected, can of course serve a purely decorative purpose. Like photos and illustrations, icons can play a visually balancing role for certain amounts (and sizes) of text.
They could visually enrich a series of steps or other equivalent paragraphs.
Branding
As long as you have (or are) a good designer, iconography can also support you in terms of branding. Of course, the basic functions of icons should be preserved, but with creativity and diligence, you could build your own library of icons to accompany your texts, both on the site and off.
By adding icons to your communication materials, their style, as long as they are distinctive enough, will become part of your brand.
