---
description: Why a symbol should not just look nice, but be recognisable in every state.
url: https://www.schmalzl.tirol/en/blog/2026-02-05-icons-konsistent-gestalten
lang: en
date: 2026-02-05
deutsch: /blog/2026-02-05-icons-konsistent-gestalten.md
---

# Small icons, big differences

_5 February 2026 · Archive date_

A small symbol has to do a surprising amount of work. It should hint at a function, fit in with other symbols and stay recognisable even in a tight space. A good design therefore starts with a simple question: what should people understand here?

For an invented book list, three functions might be enough: search, add and remove. Their symbols should share a stroke width and have a similar optical size. Canvases of the same size do not guarantee that the drawings actually look the same size.

## A symbol needs several views

A light symbol on a dark background can work well and then disappear on a light button. Likewise, a very fine line can look pleasant on a large screen, but be barely visible at a small size.

A test should therefore cover different backgrounds, small sizes and the focused state. A simple design of your own is enough for this. The meaning must not depend on colour alone; a label or a clear explanation supports the symbol.

[Elemental SVG documents tools for editing SVG graphics](https://docs.elemental-fm.com/svg/features), and the [theme documentation](https://docs.elemental-fm.com/theme/features) describes the related design area. The useful idea behind it is handling recurring decisions in one shared place.

## Variants with a common basis

When a symbol appears in several states, its shape should stay recognisable. Active, busy and unavailable can look different without inventing a new sign each time.

This creates a small, understandable system. It needs neither a huge collection nor elaborate decoration. A few symbols of your own, easy to recognise and with a clear meaning, help more than many finds in different styles.

## Original finds

These links were the starting point for this post. The assessment in the text is mine; the linked posts are not my own tests.

- [Customising SVG icons for FileMaker](<https://elemental-fm.com/elemental-svg>)
- [Customising SVG icons for FileMaker](<https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ds6DWYfBH/>)
- [Editing FileMaker themes more clearly](<https://www.elemental-fm.com/elemental-theme>)
- [Editing FileMaker themes more clearly](<https://www.linkedin.com/posts/on-behalf-of-daniel-wood-filemaker-weetbicks-share-7432186983881371648-NR1d>)

> **About the date:** This post was written on 11 October 2026. The archive date matches the earliest related find in the collection, not a publication at that time. Technical assessments and sources added later refer to the time of writing.