My first job in college was to create several dozen 16×16 icons for an engineering software package. Obviously at this level you work per pixel since every pixel counts.
In the app store, icons need to be 57 x 57 pixels. While this allows you to do quite a bit, it’s still a small space to work in.
When designing the icons for Caster, I wanted to convey a sense of movement and power as well as display something representative of the game.
Here’s the icon I came up with for the first version of Caster:
While I like this icon because it’s clear, I don’t really like how it looks. I decided to do a new icon for the next update for Caster using this source art:
Click HERE to download a high res version.
Here are a few icons I came up with:
I think I’m going to go with with the last one.
Hopefully this will help it stick out a bit more.
Which icon is your favorite and why?
July 20th, 2009 on 9:07 am
I like the 5th one the best. I like seeing more of the anime-style detail on the hand and face. Also, I like having a little more reduced energy blast coming from the hand.
July 20th, 2009 on 2:30 pm
I saved them as webclips on my springboard to get a better feel. I think I agree with your pick but I actually preferred the darker colors of the original icon. These seem a little faded or something?
July 20th, 2009 on 2:32 pm
Argh, that link didn’t work. This should
July 20th, 2009 on 4:39 pm
Wow, thanks for the help Shawn! That was very insightful. I’ll be sure to look into upping the contrast.
Thanks!
July 20th, 2009 on 4:45 pm
I’m sorry if I missed the posts I just got on this blog but what’s coming in episode 2? Also why was caster lite taken off the app store
July 21st, 2009 on 2:09 am
I’d go for the 5th one. That black and white gradient ain’t that special, if you get what I mean.
July 21st, 2009 on 8:51 am
Definately the 5th, it’s the one that would catch my eye the best on a tiny iphone screen.
July 21st, 2009 on 10:02 am
@Dylan
Episode 2 will launch a new format with multiple shorter episode releases per chapter.
The new chapter is called the Lydonia Chronicals.
The lite version was pulled because I dropped the game to .99 temporarily.
The price has gone back up and the lite version will come back after the release of the next update.
Thanks!