iOS Which logo is the best? - 7 new designs!

[JamesFoote]

OK, this is the second poll I've had to make, but I think that the 7 new designs (10 total) I have just made open up the possibilities a little bit. Also I might as well let you know that the app shows lets you view and share App Store news, reviews and rumors in advanced ways.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

(PS: they all look better blown up!)

 

[admanimal]

None of these icons give me any clue as to what the app actually does, which is never a good sign. Trying to put a screenshot of the app on its icon is also a big mistake, IMO.

 

[Niiro13]

None of these icons give me any clue as to what the app actually does, which is never a good sign. Trying to put a screenshot of the app on its icon is also a big mistake, IMO.

You didn't see #4 and #5 where it says "App Reviews"?

Anyway, to be honest, I don't really like any of the icons.

I might consider #6 if you removed the shine (UIPrerenderedIcon).

 

[admanimal]

You didn't see #4 and #5 where it says "App Reviews"?

I saw that it said something, but didn't squint to see what. Like I said, none of these icons gives me any clear idea as to what the app actually does.

 

[firewood]

You need to find an artist who can come up with really clever symbology for "app" (not phone) and reviewing, if that's the function you're trying to convey to a user or buyer.

None of the icons above seems much better than something random, at first glance.

 

[Rojo]

I hate to say it, but these are some of the worst icons I've seen....and I've seen some baaaaaaaaad ones in the App Store.

Just hire a graphic designer to design the app for you. I would ignore an app that had an icon that looked like any of these, because I would assume it's not a very good app. Having a well-designed app will mean MORE downloads, which will pay for the cost of hiring a designer.

 

[apfhex]

Like others, I'm not a fan of any of the designs shown, and might not want an icon like that on my iPhone's screen. :/

You need to find an artist who can come up with really clever symbology for "app" (not phone) and reviewing, if that's the function you're trying to convey to a user or buyer.

How about the generic OS X application symbol (the brush, pencil, and ruler), with 5 stars below it? Some of the stars could be hollow/outlined to convey, for example, a 3 star rating. A simple, pixel-perfect execution of an idea like that would work really well IMO. Anyway, someone skilled at making icons would probably be who you should seek out.

 

[mobilehaathi]

Honestly, I'm not feelin' any of them.

 

[mickbab]

How about the generic OS X application symbol (the brush, pencil, and ruler), with 5 stars below it? Some of the stars could be hollow/outlined to convey, for example, a 3 star rating.

Nice idea, i was thinking of the app symbol before.

 

[Watabou]

Honestly, I'm not feelin' any of them.

Me neither.

 

[Alphanumeric]

The website is scarier than the icons...

 

[Jonnyfive]

My vote is on number 6!

 

[OneMike]

Seems like I'm with the majority picking #7.

However, to be honest it was more picking which I dislike the least then which I like the most.

 

[Amt]

I kind of like the second one the best. =|

 

[nakile]

Yeah, they're all kind of bad.

I have an idea, though. I think that an icon based off that dialog box icon in the original Mac OS might be neat:

But instead of random gibberish in the speech bubble you might be able to put the app store logo or something to that effect.

 

[razorianfly]

Sometimes, I think when people are designing logos, they get lost in the fact of portraying everything the application does.
Fortunately, you don't have to. That's what your iTunes app description is for.

What you want is a globally recognised logo which symbolizes you and your application only.

The key to achieving this is simple. Complement colours, use fairly unique fonts, make stand out what you want to stand out, and most importantly, keep things simple.
Being in logo design for at least 3 years as a freelancer, I can't tell you the amount of stuff I have learnt just by watching other people and their experiences.

Below is a watermarked example of an icon I think your looking for.
I based it off the original design of our current web clip icon, and I think it turned out pretty trippy.

See what you think

R-Fly

 

[179202]

I love the fact that people help so much on this forum. However, has anyone heard of the saying 'too many cooks spoil the broth'?
This is what is happening here.

THe icons suggested are good ones, a lot better than the originals in this thread. The one I'd go for? Application symbol with the 3 stars filled and two outlined. That says 'app ratings', which is easily linked with app reviews. That's the best suggestion so far.

While the above poster has given good advice, the silver icon with 'A' is as pointless as me putting a cat on an icon and giving it to you.

An icon needs to be:
-Simple
-Descriptive
-Eye catching

Do those 3 things and you're not far off a perfect icon for your program.

 

[razorianfly]

I love the fact that people help so much on this forum. However, has anyone heard of the saying 'too many cooks spoil the broth'?
This is what is happening here.

THe icons suggested are good ones, a lot better than the originals in this thread. The one I'd go for? Application symbol with the 3 stars filled and two outlined. That says 'app ratings', which is easily linked with app reviews. That's the best suggestion so far.

An icon needs to be:
-Simple
-Descriptive
-Eye catching

Do those 3 things and you're not far off a perfect icon for your program.

Your absolutely correct in everything your saying, and your suggestion is a great one.

While the above poster has given good advice, the silver icon with 'A' is as pointless as me putting a cat on an icon and giving it to you.

The application icon created above was a draft, and was not meant in any way to represent any final means of logo for 'Apper Reviews'.
I simply aimed to show that an application icon or logo should be simple, and effective - without the clutter.

R-Fly

 

[PhoneyDeveloper]

An icon needs to be:
-Simple
-Descriptive
-Eye catching

I'm going to agree on simple and eye-catching. I think you're kidding yourself if you believe that you can describe what an app does with an icon. There should be some tie-in with the icon image and the app but memorable is more important than descriptive. If the tie-in isn't that obvious I don't think it matters.

I downloaded the source for WordPress. Their icon is a big 'W'. Descriptive? Don't think so. Memorable? I think I can remember which app goes with the big W.

Complicated icons with lots of little parts that explain what the app does wouldn't be as good as a big W.

BTW, same with names of apps. Ever heard of Excel, Powerpoint? Not descriptive. Memorable.

 

[mcdj]

I think you're kidding yourself if you believe that you can describe what an app does with an icon.

Don't tell that to Apple.

To the OP. You are dealing with a square format for an iPhone icon. But you keep trying to make the (vertical) iPhone the focus of the icon. Stop. The sides of your current icon designs are superflous colors that neither help describe the app or make the icon visually memorable. Icon real estate is precious. Use the entire square area. Don't limit yourself by trying to represent the iPhone. Your customers already know it's an iPhone application.

I'm also not sure Apple would let you nick their Apps icon for your own app. Maybe they allow it for the iPhone, but they tend not to lend out their icons.
What about something simple...? (ps the name I've given this icon might make a decent catchy name for your app.)

 

[Rojo]

I like this one a lot!
The only thing I might change is the "A"'s reflection. With the stars on top of it, it has a bit of a cluttered look there, when the rest of it is so clean. I'd say get rid of it, or maybe move the stars...?

 

[grimjim]

Actually, the point's moot, because Apple won't let you use any of them, as they all have a picture of an iPhone on them. It's one of Apple's guideline's that you may not have an icon that depicts Apple products or logos. I forgot that when I submitted my app, and Apple were, shall we say, kind enough to remind me...

 

[mcdj]

With the stars on top of it, it has a bit of a cluttered look there, when the rest of it is so clean.

Don't forget, you're seeing it at over 200%. At 60x60, you barely see the reflection.

 

[opeter]

OMG, the "icons" in OP's post are very ugly...

However, i like mcdj's icon. Nice, simple, slick and effective.

 

[Tilpots]

I like this one a lot, but I think instead of just the "A", you might just write out "App Review" to make it really tell what the App is all about. Love the stars, too.

To the OP, your designs really don't tell the story. Make it obvious. All the design in the world is useless without the function, and in your case, the function is to clearly let the user know what this app is.