Advanced Icon Design: Optical Balancing of Dots vs. Stroke Weight
By
Helena Zhang
Summary
This article is the first in a series on advanced icon design tips, focusing on how to properly size dots (like eyes in a smiley icon) relative to stroke weight. The author explains that dots need to be slightly larger than the stroke weight to appear visually balanced, borrowing principles from type design. A before-and-after comparison demonstrates how a small adjustment makes the icon look much more balanced.
Source
Twitter / XAdvanced Icon Design: Optical Balancing of Dots vs. Stroke Weightminoraxis.medium.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledDots want to be a little bigger than the stroke weight to look balanced.
If you just apply the same thickness as the stroke, you'll end up with tiny looking eyes.
This is the first in a series of advanced icon tips. We'll cover optical effects that elevate icons from good to great, borrowing heavily from type design.
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