address book icon

padu · 5 Sept 2020, 12:51

So far I never heard any complains about the apps icon.

That may be due to the fact that several icons do indeed resemble physical objects, but looking at icons on the phone, details become very subtle. I've only now realized the notes app icon resembling a sheet of paper with solid horizontal lines (which I don't like).

One more thing to be considered is convergence (I didn't do any test with that so far). On a desktop screen, the now subtle skeuomorphism might become obtrusive again.

Take the old icons face (maybe even more generalized)

The person is fine as is.

and use the colored right side of the other icon.

I'm not convinced. For one, well, I can only repeat that I quite like the absence of any physical reference in the current icon (without the bookmark). Second, you're using a trick, to bring back the colour. Regardless of whether this trick works out, I have hard time seeing how to transpose that trick to other icons. For a singular icon, I'd rather not go that route.

but it is not facilitating an object. (As long as humas don't count as objects.).

I think a stylized human is perfectly fine. You don't carry humans in your pocket or bag and touch and snatch them several times a day. It refers to the non-materialistic idea of a person here.

The line is indeed blurry. For a mailing app, I think an envelope would again be fine. Don't know exactly why. Maybe because an envelope is an ephemeral/elusive object that is coupled to an action. Folding a letter then putting it into the envelope, writing down the address, throwing the envelope into the postbox. On the other end ripping up the envelope, throwing it away. Maybe just because an envelope already has a geometric shape that naturally blends well with other abstract icons.

padu · 5 Sept 2020, 12:58

@padu said in address book icon:

One more thing to be considered is convergence (I didn't do any test with that so far). On a desktop screen, the now subtle skeuomorphism might become obtrusive again.

Leading me to the question if convergence was an idea back in Canonical times already or if this was born when UBports took over?

danfro · 5 Sept 2020, 13:21

@padu To be honest, I have no objections whatsoever against using items/objects for icons.
An icon needs to fulfill two aims:

make sure an app can be recognized by the icon
look nice

To fulfill the first target, it generally helps if the icon somehow represents the apps purpose and users can guess by the icon what the app will be going to do.
But that does not need to be the case. It can also be represent a logo or brand (Telegram plane icon for instance).

And yes I tried to keep/add the colors. Why? I like colors. The world is not black/white. Life is not black/white. So I personally would like to have as many colors as are good for visibility. Surely too much coloring is bad and distracting.
I personally do not like the single color icon sets used by Microsoft Office or some LibreOffice styles.
My draft just tried to follow your idea of not using objects. Removing colors was not my idea.
And with other apps using objects (Dekko=envelope, notes=paper sheet, Recorder app=microphone, uTorch=bulb, settings=cogwheel, ...) I don't think we need to overdo this.

I would suggest, until we do have other icon proposals, we should leave the existing icon as it is. If we can not come up with a satisfying new icon, we may as well leave the old one.

dobey · 5 Sept 2020, 15:04

@padu said in address book icon:

Leading me to the question if convergence was an idea back in Canonical times already or if this was born when UBports took over?

It was always the idea, before even Ubuntu on phones existed.

padu · 5 Sept 2020, 19:38

@danfro said in address book icon:

@padu To be honest, I have no objections whatsoever against using items/objects for icons.

No problem, I'm just throwing in some ideas. Some may be good, some may be bad and some may need some time to get comfortable with.

But that does not need to be the case. It can also be represent a logo or brand (Telegram plane icon for instance).

I'm mostly concerned about core apps. As for logo-like icons, those will sometimes integrate exceptionally well, because someone else already did the job of abstraction. Well, sometimes they will stand out, but there's nothing wrong with that. In a diverse ecosystem, there's no way to enforce a uniform style, anyway.

And yes I tried to keep/add the colors.

Danfro, I didn't mean to offend you.

danfro · 5 Sept 2020, 19:43

@padu Don't worry, I am not offended. I hope you aren't either. :smiling_face: I was just stating my intentions.

And thanks for the ideas. @CiberSheep knows I am the same. :grinning_squinting_face: Let's see what good comes out of that. There is always room for improvement.

padu · 5 Sept 2020, 20:22

@dobey said in address book icon:

@padu said in address book icon:

[...] if convergence was an idea back in Canonical times already or if this was born when UBports took over?

It was always the idea, before even Ubuntu on phones existed.

OK. But I can't seem to resolve that twist in your answer. Support punch card input method?

dobey · 5 Sept 2020, 21:32

@padu The design principles of Unity were always based around the idea of bringing Ubuntu to more devices, and is based partly in the old Ubuntu Netbook Remix UI design.

UBports didn't come along until much later, in 2015.

padu · 6 Sept 2020, 15:52

@dobey OK, thanks for the clarification!

mateo_salta · 15 Apr 2021, 01:00

the account picture(person on left) in the contacts app is part of the old icon design, so yes i think this icon should get an update

Keneda · 15 Apr 2021, 02:25

@mateo_salta
Not too much then :grinning_face_with_sweat: