Icons can make a huge difference in user interaction, especially for a web design being viewed on mobile. Icons give the visitor an instant visual prompt on what the company is offering, if they are designed well! I created a set of icon designs to convey the various aesthetics treatments supplied by one of my customers, for a new web design project.
Small Format Illustration
Of course a good icon needs to be instantly recognisable, even if it is extremely small. And I gained highly relevant practice for this kind of illustration style while working for a glitter tattoo company, creating illustrations that had to be instantly recognised in small format.
And simplicity is key, using the fewest amount of shapes or rounded corners. Also, ensuring your illustration is symmetrical always makes the drawing look correct. Using bold, thick lines and shapes is essential to ensure the drawing is clearly visible in small format.
Custom Illustration
I believe that icons add a lot of value to any website, and aids in the user experience. Yes, there are many icon sets that you can purchase from stock imagery companies, but I believe that creating your own set of icons can really add a bit of individuality to a website or mobile App project.
Creating a nice set of icons is an artform in itself, if you are presented with a specific company style, with certain products or services, a good icon design needs to be universally recognised.