immixdesign.com

When designing a good icon or icon series there are multiple things to take in to consideration.

The design must be simple.
Often times there is too much emphasis on shading and gradient and you loose the symbolic representation that the icon is trying to display. Start with a detailed draft of your icon and break it down to the bare bones of the design. Decide what is crucial and what is additional flare.

Consistency is key.
There must be a clear visible language that is carried throughout the series. Color and shape are a direct way to relate the icons and create a cohesive unit. Perspective and drawing technique can also provide consistent elements to the icon design.

Clear and precise.
If your viewer is having a hard time distinguishing what the image is, the icon is not doing its job. Using a combination of well know symbols and your own creative touch can allow for easy recognition.

Immix has recently created a series of web icons for Architechtronics that represent their five areas of technology. The design is clean and simple, which was accomplished through the use of bold colors and direct lines. Each icon is unified within a double circle that coincides with the appropriate color and shadow. Recognizable imagery was utilized to depict each area of technology.

Take a look at the series!