Extending the Ubuntu Icon Spec.

So you have a new Ubuntu application, you’ve built it in QML with the Ubuntu SDK and now you’re going to give your app a brand shiny new icon? But you go and visit the official documentation and you go “where do I start? How do I make an icon?” Well, you’re kind of out of luck.

When I started designing app icons for folks, I (too) felt the official specification was lacking detailed instructions and explanations for the Suru design –not to mention it’s woefully out of date– which isn’t much help. My only recourse was to follow updates to the official icons themselves and to dissect the icons to determine the elements and visual principles that make up the Suru style and updates to it.

Now, that information or course of action may only be useful to someone like myself who does icon design and can see the cogs behind the images, so what is Jane or Joe app developer to do?

Not to worry, some time ago I wrote a guide that is an extension of sorts to the official documentation, breaking down the Suru-style a bit and showing how you can make an icon your self as well as provide a few resources.

Ubuntu Icon Design Guide

So if you use & find my guide useful, feel free to contact me if you would like me critique your icon or give feedback. 😊