Deciding the Icon and UX Visual Selection: Responsibilities and Practices

If you're wondering who is responsible for the selection of icons and the visual design in user experience (UX) design, the answer is not straightforward. This task often lies at the intersection of responsibilities among UI/UX designers and visual designers. Let's delve into the multifaceted nature of this process and explore the roles of different stakeholders.

Understanding the Tasks: Who's Involved?

When it comes to selecting icons and handling UX/visual design, the roles can be fluid and context-dependent. Typically, the responsibility might fall on a visual designer, a UX/interaction designer, or even a combination of both. Each person brings their unique perspective and expertise to the table.

Visual Designer's Role

A visual designer focuses on the visual aspects of the product, ensuring that the user interface is aesthetically pleasing and functions effectively. They are responsible for creating visual elements that align with the brand's visual identity, such as icons, buttons, and other graphical elements. The visual designer often starts by generating ideas and iterating through a series of options to find the most suitable design.

UX/Interaction Designer's Role

A UX/interaction designer focuses on the user experience and the functionality of the interface. They ensure that the design is intuitive and meets the user's needs. In the context of icon selection, the UX designer considers how the icon will fit into the larger system of controls and functions, and whether it will be recognizable and meaningful to the user. For example, a UX designer might suggest an icon based on its metaphorical relevance and how well it fits with other icons in the interface.

The Compromise

Once the visual and UX designers have presented their ideas, a compromise is usually reached. This might involve a back-and-forth discussion and iterative design process to refine the icon to meet the needs of both functionality and visual aesthetics. The final design is then presented for final approval. However, as the passage suggests, sometimes external pressure can derail this process:

At which time some ass-hat with an MBA comes in and art-directs the entire UI in the review and makes it something ridiculously confusing and a random color.

These external influences can impact the final design, often leading to a less coherent and less user-friendly end product. Therefore, it's crucial for designers to have a strong basis for their design choices, supported by evidence and user research.

Research on Icons and UX Design

Research on user interfaces that rely heavily on icons has shown that icons alone may not be the most effective way to enhance usability. Icons are beneficial when combined with their text labels, as the label provides context and meaning that the icon alone might lack. For instance, a plus sign might indicate the addition of an element, but the phrase "Add to Cart" provides clarity and specificity.

This suggests that the utility of an icon lies more in its ability to anchor and support a textual label rather than serving as a standalone visual cue. Therefore, when selecting icons, designers should consider the icon's role within the broader context of the user interface and ensure that it complements the text labels for maximum clarity.

Conclusion

In summary, the responsibility for selecting icons and handling UX/visual design is often shared among visual designers, UX designers, and even stakeholders from other departments. The final design should be supported by a clear rationale and backed by user research to ensure that it meets the needs of both users and the business. Icons should be used as visual anchors that reinforce textual labels, enhancing the overall usability of the interface.