I’m definitely an icon person.

I mean, I really love drawing my own icons: maybe, since I’m not a full-time icon designer, they’re not quite as perfect as those you buy on stock images websites or you can get sometimes for free online but at least they’re mine, I know how I did them and, if necessary, I can change them (see recycle them) in different contests. They’re kind of unique.

I totally agree with Verlee when she says:

I think designing icons is a discipline on its own. It’s an aspect of design that is often a bit underrated in my opinion.

Often designing a custom icon set requires time, energy, inspiration and the cost of it all has to be kept within the whole project budget, especially in these days of economic downturn. Add to this that the whole effort underlying icon design is hardly visible to most people.

But it’s absolutely worth of it.

In fact, displaying a good icon set plays a fundamental role in web design and users’ perception: an icon can activate a dumb blank space, express an idea that otherwise will require a long text explanation, being images such a concise story tellers. Images and icons as well are able to draw user’s attention or add evidence and put emphasis on texts, menus, form fields…

So if:

• you have to be a fast delivery guy or
• you just want to set quickly a prototype up or
• you’re fed up with your project/client and you want to cut the chase or
• you’re just NOT a bitter masochistic web designer as I am,

you might use some help: Iconfinder is for you.

Iconfinder is a pretty unique search engine dedicated to icons and, since it’s not exactly the new kid on the block,  many of you might already know it.  You can both search or browse for icons and almost all the results of your quest will be free for commercial use.

By the way, I find the website’s logo and the favicon really stunning.

Have an awesome day.