Mobile App Icon Design: Vector Workflow Essentials
Master mobile app icon creation with vector workflows. Learn size requirements, design principles, and optimization techniques for iOS and Android.
Graphics & Design Experts
Our team of experienced designers and developers specializes in vector graphics, image conversion, and digital design optimization. With over 10 years of combined experience in graphic design and web development.
Mobile App Icon Requirements
App icons are among the most viewed brand elements. Vector-based workflows ensure your icons look perfect across all devices and app stores.
Platform Requirements
iOS Specifications
iOS Icon Sizes:
iPhone: 60×60 (@2x, @3x)
iPad: 76×76, 83.5×83.5
App Store: 1024×1024
Total files needed: 10+
Android Specifications
Android Icon Sizes:
mdpi: 48×48
hdpi: 72×72
xhdpi: 96×96
xxhdpi: 144×144
xxxhdpi: 192×192
Play Store: 512×512
Why Vectors for Icons
Scalability Need
Scale Requirements:
Smallest: 16×16 (favicon)
Largest: 1024×1024 (store)
Range: 64× size difference
Solution: Vector source
Quality Consistency
Vector ensures:
Design Principles
Icon Fundamentals
Design Principles:
Simple, recognizable
Works at small sizes
Unique silhouette
Appropriate for platform
Platform Conventions
Platform Styles:
iOS: Rounded square, clean
Android: Adaptive icons, material
Windows: Square or badge
macOS: Detailed, 3D permitted
Vector Workflow
Design Process
Icon Workflow:
Sketch concepts
Refine in vector
Test at sizes
Adjust details
Export all formats
From Concept to Vector
Design Steps:
Hand-draw ideas
Scan or photograph
Vectorize with Vectosolve
Refine in design software
Prepare for export
Size-Specific Design
Adapting to Scale
Size Considerations:
1024px: Full detail
512px: Main elements
144px: Simplified
48px: Essential only
16px: Silhouette only
Detail Reduction
Simplification Strategy:
Large: All details visible
Medium: Remove fine details
Small: Core elements only
Tiny: Shape recognition
Color Strategy
Platform Colors
Color Guidelines:
iOS: Vibrant, gradient-friendly
Android: Material palette
Store: Stand out in grid
Context: Competitive analysis
Color Optimization
Color Tips:
Limit to 2-3 colors
Test on light/dark backgrounds
Consider accessibility
Match brand colors
Technical Considerations
Adaptive Icons (Android)
Adaptive Structure:
Background layer: 108×108
Foreground layer: 108×108
Safe zone: 66×66 center
Masked: Various shapes
iOS Specifics
iOS Requirements:
No transparency
No alpha channel
sRGB color space
Square asset, system masks
Export Workflow
Automated Export
Export Strategy:
Design at 1024×1024
Set up export presets
Batch export all sizes
Verify each size
Organize for delivery
Asset Catalogs
iOS Asset Organization:
AppIcon.appiconset/
icon_20@2x.png
icon_20@3x.png
icon_29@2x.png
...
icon_1024.png
Contents.json
Quality Testing
Size Verification
Testing Checklist:
□ 16px: Recognizable?
□ 48px: Clear elements?
□ 144px: Details visible?
□ 512px: Store-ready?
□ 1024px: Perfect quality?
Context Testing
Test Environments:
Device home screens
App store grids
Dark mode
Light mode
Notification bar
Common Mistakes
What to Avoid
Common Errors:
Too much detail
Thin lines that disappear
Low contrast elements
Text in icons
Non-vector sources
Prevention
Start with vector:
App Store Optimization
Store Visibility
Store Considerations:
Stand out in search
Clear category signal
Memorable design
Professional quality
Competitive Analysis
Analysis Process:
Search your category
Screenshot competitor icons
Identify patterns
Find differentiation
Test standing out
Update Strategy
Icon Updates
Update Workflow:
Modify vector source
Re-export all sizes
Update asset catalogs
Test thoroughly
Submit update
Version Control
Versioning:
/app-icons
/v1.0
source.svg
exports/
/v2.0
source.svg
exports/
Conclusion
Mobile app icons require meticulous attention to detail and a robust vector workflow. Starting with vector graphics ensures your icon looks perfect from the smallest notification badge to the largest app store feature. Use Vectosolve to convert concepts quickly, then refine for professional results.