Tips for creating Icons for iPhone apps

The importance of icons can never be overstated. The smallest 57X57 icon is also like a logo for the app since that is what you see when you open iTunes or connect to the App Store.

1) Don't put words
The key to a good icon design is that it should not have any letters unless the letter is a part of the icon itself (eg Facebook logo). The words ususally also get lost in the small size of the icon, making them look more like a clutter than adding any value.

2) Create the Brand experience
The icon should showcase the app and represent as the logo for the app. Consider how well Angry birds does this.

3) Create a unique experience
Don't use the standard gloss appearance provided by Apple unless it adds to the design of your app. Instead get creative by using a new shape like the one here.

If you are a designer you will find this post to be useful to design icons.