Since then they have become both abundant and more sophisticated in their keyboard representations of varying emotions. For these computer icons, customization and modifications are not only possible but in fact expected of the user.[23]. "Emotional Expression Online: Gender Differences in Emoticon. A symbol with RoHS, RoHS compliant, or RoHS with a check mark is for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive. A circle with a line going to the bottom right that resembles a magnifying glass with a plus ( + ) or a minus ( - ) is a symbol use to represent search zoom in and zoom out. A single triangle that points to the right is the icon used to indicate the play button on audio and video media players. Icons underwent a change in appearance from the early 8-bit pixel art used pre-2000 to a more photorealistic appearance featuring effects such as softening, sharpening, edge enhancement, a glossy or glass-like appearance, or drop shadows which are rendered with an alpha channel.

Rudolph Arnheim (1969). A speech bubble symbol is used in communications to indicate there is a message that needs to be read or that someone is typing a message. When dealing with the display a light bulb symbol can also be used to indicate brightness such as a button on a keyboard to adjust the backlight brightness. Larger icons serve also as part of the accessibility features for the visually impaired on many computer systems. Computer icons are by definition language-independent but often not culturally independent; they do not rely on letters or words to convey their meaning. A question mark symbol represents a question and allows you to access help or online documentation. There are a plethora of icon creation tools to be found on the Internet, ranging from professional level tools through utilities bundled with software development programs to stand-alone freeware. A paperclip symbol used in e-mail programs and other message communication programs is a universal symbol for an attachment. An empty arrow pointing up that also resembles a house is a symbol used to represent the Shift key on computer keyboards. The first meaning is that the item is hot and could mean that it is critical, important, or popular and should be looked at first. Another GUI icon is exemplified by the smiley face, a pictogram embedded in a text message. Beyond text, there are other design elements which can be dependent upon the cultural context for interpretation. A subgroup of the more visually rich icons is based on objects lifted from a 1970 physical office space and desktop environment. The standardization of electronic icons is an important safety-feature on all types of electronics, enabling a user to more easily navigate an unfamiliar system. These include color, numbers, symbols, body parts and hand gestures. As you use your battery-powered device, the number of bars decreases to let you know how long your device has left without being charged or plugged into a power outlet. These warning icons, first designed to regulate automobile traffic in the early 1900s, have become standardized and widely understood by users without the necessity of further verbal explanations. Easily comprehendible icons will make use of familiar visual metaphors directly connected to the Signified: actions the icon initiate or the content that would be revealed. For other uses, see. A single arrow pointing to the left or (back) is a back arrow symbol that is used in Internet browsers to go back to the previous page. This symbol may also be represented by an X. ", "GUI windows: definition, advantages, origin and future", List of graphical user interface elements, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Icon_(computing)&oldid=1096807991, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Wolf, Alecia. A solid small box is a symbol used to represent stop and is used in audio and video media players to stop music and video. A symbol of a computer mouse with two buttons and sometimes a mouse wheel is a symbol used to indicate a mouse setting or a port that allows supports a mouse connection. A phone symbol is used for the RJ-11 (phone connector) used with a computer Modem. A speaker icon with no waves, crossed out, or with an "x" next to it indicates mute or disabled. This category includes stylized drawings of objects from the office environment or from other professional areas such as printers, scissors, file cabinets and folders. For example, a crescent moon key on a keyboard or the front of the computer can put it into sleep mode. Many icon editors can copy a unique icon from a program file for editing. How to print a document, picture, or another file. in Handa. This need for recognition in turn sets specific design restrictions on effective computer icons. A rectangular box with either one box or two boxes at the bottom is a symbol to represent a touchpad on a laptop and may be next to a button that turns on and off the touchpad. All icon editors can make icons for system files (folders, text files, etc. Other functions performed by icon editors are icon extraction from executable files (exe, dll), creation of icon libraries, or saving individual images of an icon. When viewing an e-mail, this icon indicates the e-mail has an attachment and, when creating a message, any icon or button with this symbol is used to add an attachment. The backspace or erase to the left button may also be represented by the symbol of a box arrow pointing to the left containing an X. Any lightning bolt symbol indicates electricity or charging. "Factors affecting the design of computer icons". An icon is a Signifier pointing to a Signified. Secondary icons of system programs are also displayed on the task bar or the system dock. An arrow pointing to the top left is a symbol that is often used to represent the mouse cursor. They are widely used in all forms of electronic communications, always with the goal of adding context to the verbal content of the message. In many computer software programs, you can hover the mouse pointer over the symbol to get a balloon tip of what the symbol is supposed to represent. Many of the above warning and cautions symbols may also be on packaging and the product contained in the package.

The icon needs to be clear and easily recognizable, able to display on monitors of widely varying size and resolutions. [8][9] In his work, Dr. Smith envisioned a scenario in which "visual entities", called icons, could execute lines of programming code, and save the operation for later re-execution. Roland Barthes, (1969). It was adopted by the European Union in 2003 to indicate the product is made without the following ten substances. A triangle with a lightning bolt is a symbol used to represent a warning for the potential of an electrical shock. A circle with a small hole in the middle is a symbol used to represent a CD, DVD, Blu-ray, or disc drive. Using a new icon is simply a matter of moving the image into the correct file folder and using the system tools to select the icon. Programs might display their icon not only as a desktop hyperlink, but also in the program title bar, on the Start menu, in the Microsoft tray or the Apple dock. The product should not be thrown away, but instead should be sent back to the manufacturer for disposal. The first set of computer widgets was originally developed for the Xerox Alto. They are frequently scalable, as they are displayed in different positions in the software, a single icon file such as the Apple Icon Image format can include multiple versions of the same icon optimized to work at a different size, in colour or grayscale as well as on dark and bright backgrounds. The sun symbol is used for anything dealing with a display's brightness. One or two arrows with a line underneath them indicate what direction the box should be positioned. These commercial icons serve as functional links on the system to the program or data files created by a specific software provider. For example, a speaker symbol with this over it indicates mute. For instance, the subsystem for locking files can add a "padlock" overlay icon on an icon which represents a file in order to indicate that the file is locked. Windows), on an icon which represents an object (e.g.

The standard icon is generally the size of an adult thumb, enabling both easy visual recognition and use in a touchscreen device. A symbol with two and a half triangles pointing to the right is used as the official symbol for Bluetooth. Three solid circles connected by two lines is the symbol that is often used to represent a social network sharing link on websites. While shopping and adding items you want to buy items are added to the shopping cart that can be edited later or checked out when done shopping. A symbol of a cross tilted to the right is a symbol that is used to represent an eyedropper in image and graphic related programs. A mail envelope symbol is used with e-mail and can be used for sending an e-mail or represent when e-mail is received. Assignment of an icon to a newly created program is usually done within the Integrated Development Environment used to develop that program. The graphical windows on the computer screen share some of the visual and functional characteristics of the computer icon. Four squares at a slight tilt is a symbol that resembles a window is a symbol that represents the Microsoft company. For example, this mark may be seen by a company logo or brand name that is a registered mark. A lightning bolt may also represent a power connector port. For example, your browser may have a refresh button that allows you to reload a browser to get the most recent copy of a web page. Two vertical lines is the universal symbol used for pause and is uses in audio and video media players to pause music and video. A speaker with sound waves coming from it is an indication of sound. An R with a circle surrounding it is used to represent a registered mark. A small dot or tower with waves coming from it indicates wireless and is one of the most recognized symbols today for a Wi-Fi (wireless network) signal. Icons also provide rapid entry into the system functionality. Two triangles that point to the left with a solid line on the left side of them is used to represent a function that goes back to the beginning of the track or chapter. It's shown on any product meant to be sold in the EEA (European Economic Area) since 1985 and complies with EU legislation. For example, on this page, we have several tips that can be quickly identified with the light bulb next to the word "Tip.". The microphone symbol is used on computer ports to indicate where a microphone connects or any option or button that adjust the microphone. Because of the design requirements, icon creation can be a time-consuming and costly process. These visual parameters place rigid limits on the design of icons, frequently requiring the skills of a graphic artist in their development. A plus symbol or a horizontal line crossing a vertical line is also a symbol used as an indication to increase, add, move down, or zoom in on software programs and hardware devices. The main function performed by an icon editor is generation of icons from images. For example, you could scan the QR code shown here to open the Computer Hope web page. Through color it should also provide some visual indicator as to the icon state; activated, available or currently not accessible ("greyed out"). This symbol is used for printer connections and buttons in software programs that prints a page or sometimes open a print preview. a file) a certain additional subsystem can add a smaller secondary icon, laid over the primary icon and usually positioned in one of its corners, to indicate the status of the object which is represented with the primary icon. If the editor can also make a cursor, the image can be saved with a file extension of .CUR or .ANI for both Windows and the Macintosh. Professional icon designers seldom modify icons inside an icon editor and use a more advanced drawing or 3D modeling application instead. A wheelie bin or trash can marked out by a X with a bold underline is the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) symbol for a product manufactured after 2005. A gear icon is widely used to indicate a configuration or settings option. The icon itself is a quickly comprehensible symbol of a software tool, function, or a data file, accessible on the system and is more like a traffic sign than a detailed illustration of the actual entity it represents. Although they can be customized, these text hyperlinks generally share a standardized recognizable format, blue text with underlining.