Today , Android published a helpful web log post put up up a list of blueprint hint for developers slaving away over newfangled app icons , encouraging them to expend shadows , textures , and micro detail . We ’re view Android grow up into its own distinguishable visual identity — self-governing even from Google mothership .
The listcomes courtesy of Roman Nurik , of Android ’s Developer Relations , who explains that “ as high denseness screens on both phones and tablet get ahead popularity , it ’s significant to verify your catapult icon is crisp and high quality . ” Nurik ’s backsheesh include :
Icons should be three - dimensional , with a slight linear perspective as if take in from above , so that substance abuser perceive some astuteness .

Designers should avoid simple square / rope icons and alternatively prefer for unique figure .
rocket launcher icons should be simple at the macro grade but still detailed at the micro level ( for instance include subtle edge effect , gradients and texture ) .
void mimicking ocular elements and vogue from other platforms ( suggestion , pinch ! ) .

In direct contrast to the iOS guidelines we sawApplepresent at WWDC , it seems that Android is actually further designers to piece on redundant drop apparition and glossy reflections . Which is the accurate opposite of Google ’s new excogitation directive .
Last month , Google Art Director Christopher Bettigpublished society - wide-eyed visual guidelinesthat detail how design should be draw near , right down to shading and perspective . Interestingly , they take issue quite a bit from today ’s Android directives . For example , Google ’s stance is that UI icons should be reductive pictograms , free of unnecessary shadow and detail :
Which definitely conflicts with Android ’s tips , which encourage edge impression , gradients and texture :

It ’s not a bad thing . In fact , it ’s really interesting to see Google and Android going freestanding ways as far as intent is concern . Google protrude off with a jolly dirty report for graphic design , if not drug user experience design . The most famous anecdote , of course , is that the party did stacks of testing rounds to square off which of 41 shades of blue was most contributory to their UI .
But over the retiring two years , Google has pass a considerable amount of time and resources try out to nail down a consistent aim charge across their divers product ecosystem . This inconsistency between Android and Google does n’t mean they ’re failing — just that there are vie ideas about what make a solid piece of intent .
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