Logo/Icon Proposal

[jbeguna04]

Hi good day! Im Jibbie Eguna, a graphics designer, I would like to ask for your permission to propose a new designs of logo in your application/project. I would like to help projects in open-source .I would just like to propose new designs if you are needing it. Hoping for your positive response Thank You!

[onyxbits]

Sure, go ahead

[jbeguna04]

Thank You for the response, I will submit the design soon after I finished it

[jbeguna04]

Here is my proposal for new icon, Thank you for waiting

[onyxbits]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but that won't work at all.

As far as Android apps are concerned, there are two kinds of icons: launcher and store.

The purpose of the store icon is to make your app stand out of the competition, to make your app look interesting and to give the user a first visual clue what the app might be about.

The purpose of the lancher icon is to help the user find your app drawer, typically by presenting itself as a visual metapher of what the app does (not by an artistic rendering of its name or initials)

My first reaction to seeing your proposal was: The colors are are dull and unattractive, I don't recognize Text Fiction in this design at all.

Second reaction: the left part is probably meant to depict a book. The right part seems to be derived from the letters T and F. So in order to decipher the meaning of this icon, I need to know the old icon (so new users can't understand it). Putting the app's name in an icon is not only redundant (the name is already shown below it in the app drawer), but also poses a problem for non-english speakers (icons should tell users what an app does if they can't read/understand the name).

[jbeguna04]

Thank you for all of your suggestions, I will redesign the icons and do my best on the second try

[jbeguna04]

Good Day sir, I made another set of design. Again suggestions are acceptable, Thank You!

Adaptive Icon

[onyxbits]

Again, please don't take this the wrong way, but I don't think this is going to work out (also: no need to call me sir). Let's briefly talk about the icon on the right:

1. The colors are horrible (but that's totally ok for a draft)
2. The dropshadow is wrong if the books are suppose to stand on a flat surface (needs to connect to the lower, not the upper corner of the right book).
3. It's more or less just a variation of the current icon (which already represents the app poorly).

The third point is the actual problem. I'm going to assume that you are looking for opportunities to build a portfolio to help you pitch your skills as a graphics designer. That's totally fine with me, but as far as icon design is concerned, you are not doing a convincing job. Icons are functional artwork, meaning that you not only need to know how to draw, but you also need to understand how to convey purpose. Some (general) pointers:

• Don't base your work on the original icon (unless specifically asked to do so). If you are asked to replace an icon, then there's something wrong with the original. Making a variation of the original typically results in making a variation of the underlying flaw (in case of TextFiction: a book represents the app poorly).
• Use the software, you are creating artwork for. An icon is suppose to represent the functionality of an application. Personally, I'd be more than happy to ditch the books for a better metapher (I just can't think of any, coming up with one is part of the art designer's job).
• You should also take the platform into consideration. TextFiction is an Android (only) app, it feels like you used design guidelines from IOS and Windows.
• The/One tricky part in icon design is sizes. So you should show that your design scales.
• As far as Android is concerned, the artists job is not done with doing a launcher icon. There are other assets that need to be taken into consideration as well (and the launcher must work with them): https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/1078870?hl=en
• Take the competition into consideration. Check out what other apps are listed with the app you are designing for and ask yourself how to make it stand out.
• The job of an artist is not just drawing, but also talking to the client to figure out what he wants (yeah, I know, I let you run into that trap :P).
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa_LYHAAbIk

[jbeguna04]

Good day @onyxbits, It is sad to say that there is an emergency happened. I need to go back to the province to fix some issues. I cant promise that i can finish the design for couple of days. Im verry sorry for this, i know i made this proposal to help you for the future but i think i cant finish it right now. I will just message you here when i arrived and finished the design. Thank you for everything the kindness and understanding.