How To Use Icons In eLearning

I have a scandalous confession to make. I’m in love with icons. I think they are brilliant. I love the way icons distill an object or concept to its essence. If you’re looking for new ways to get your message across, consider the many ways you can use icons in eLearning to clarify and add meaning.

Icon Defined

Icons communicate through an efficient use of shape, line, and color. They are reduced or abstracted versions of an object, like the simple image of a bus you see on a bus stop sign. Icons can also communicate concepts, like using a lightbulb to represent “new idea.” Concept icons are often symbols that we learn as we become visually literate.

Context and nuance. Context strongly affects the meaning of an icon. This is important when you are using icons in eLearning. For example, when you use concentric arcs with clouds, the icon represents a rainbow. When you use a similar shape with a transmitter, the concentric curved lines represent a radio signal. Nuance also adds to the meaning. A circle beneath two concentric arcs to the right is the symbol for an RSS feed. Yet when there are three arcs directly above the circle, it symbolizes a wireless signal. See the varied meanings of concentric curved lines in the examples below.

Benefits of Using Icons in Learning

You may not realize all the benefits of using icons in eLearning and other types of learning experiences. Here are some of the reasons they are exceptional.

• Quick to recognize and process. Icons embody a quality that cognitive theorists call computational efficiency, meaning they minimize the processing required for an accurate interpretation. Thus, iconic forms are quickly recognized and processed, and their meanings are memorable (Malamed, 2011).
• Builds context. The efficiency of the icon form gives learners a head start. Before they even read the text, they have a sense of what it will be about. It puts the information in context, which may save time and improve comprehension.
• Improves memory. Images can improve memory of a fact or concept when used as a mnemonic device. The principle of the Picture Superiority Effect states that people have a better memory for pictures than for words, particularly when referring to concrete objects. When images and words are used together, learners are likely to remember the image and associate it with the key point.
• Enhances aesthetics. When designed with intention, adding relevant graphics to instructional materials can improve  a learner’s aesthetic experience. Aesthetically pleasing materials are preferred by users and can increase their motivation. Well-designed materials also improve the credibility of the content.

In my book, Visual Design Solutions I discuss ways to easily create and use icons with consistency.

Icon Styles

As with all visual communication, it helps to pay attention to the visual language of each style. All of the styles shown below are appropriate to use in eLearning, though each one conveys a unique personality. Some popular icon styles include flat, flat with a long shadow, line, filled, detailed, hand-drawn, detailed and folded corner. When it’s possible, I recommend using one consistent style in a course. You can add this style to your Visual Style Guide. See the examples below.

Flat icons

These grew out of the need for quick downloads on mobile devices. The flat style is also the antithesis of the older skeuomorphic design style, which mimics physical objects. Flat icons are flexible and appropriate for a variety of uses, from assistance with navigation and functionality to enhancing explanations in information graphics.

Flat icons with a long shadow

Shadows provide more detail to the flat look. They are part of the Flat 2.0 trend, adding a little personality and interest to this minimalist design approach.

Line icons

These are extremely minimalist and thus quick to download. Objects and symbols drawn as line icons are easy to identify as the mind of the viewer fills in the missing information. These lightweight icons are ideal for navigation and buttons and anywhere you need to fit an icon in a small space. In addition, they are subtle images that won’t detract from the main message if that is your goal.

Filled icons

Filled icons are essentially silhouettes of known and recognizable objects. Similar to line icons, the mind of the viewer fills in the missing details. Unlike line icons, filled icons are more conspicuous.

Illustrated or Hand-drawn icons

If you’re looking for a hand-drawn appearance, try these icons. The lack of straight lines and 90º angles provides a casual look that conveys an informal or playful vibe.

Folded corner or Sticker icons

These have a small fold in an upper or lower corner that adds a third dimension to their look. They resemble a slightly peeling sticker. Perhaps the fold adds a touch of personality or novelty to the icon.

Detailed icons

Detailed icons are the most realistic of this visual format. They are small illustrations that provide more detail than the icon styles with more color, gradients, shading, lines or shadows. They can be hand-drawn or created with illustration software.

Isometric icons

These use a technical drawing technique known as isometric projection. This technique visually represents three dimensional objects in a way that eliminates the distortion that is created by true perspective.

Some Ways to Use Icons in eLearning

1. Icons in the User Interface

A typical place to use icons is to enhance the meaning of your menus, navigation and buttons. This is common in applications because an image plus text makes it easy for users to navigate and/or make choices. Well-made line icons are appropriate here, because they can be reduced in size and still be recognized.

 2. Icons as Bullets

Icons are ideal for game environments. Simplified illustrations fit well in small spaces and may serve as game elements. In the example game board shown below, people icons represent patients and the clock icon represents a time-out break. With the many icon styles that exist, it should be easy to find a style that reflects the personality of the game.

5. Icons in Information Graphics

Where would information graphics be without icons? They add relevance and appeal to diagrams, graphs and charts. All it takes is a quick glance for the viewer to get a sense of what the information is about as opposed to using boxes and words alone. In the example diagram below, the icons assist in the visualization of the content curation process.

6. Icons for Categorizing Information

Chunking information into categories is a standard way to help people learn. Categories provide a framework for storing information. Icons can enhance the framework because the image is associated with a category.