Knowledge Base

Mobile Games University - ASO 101: Perfecting your app icon design

How the right app icon can increase visits and conversion

Mobile Games University - ASO 101: Perfecting your app icon design

A crucial asset for your app store optimisation is the creation of an eye-catching app icon.

Should your app appear in a user’s search on the App Store or Google Play, you’ll need to ensure you have an icon they’ll want to click on.

Without a click-through, your work on descriptions, screenshots, and even the game itself, could amount to very little.

It may not be an exact science, although some could argue certain image types are more successful than others, but there are methods and considerations to keep in mind when designing a good app icon.

Below we’ve selected a few guides to help you on your way.

5 simple steps to designing the perfect app icon
PocketGamer.biz brings you five tips to follow for creating your app icon.

How to design your app icon
App Annie delves into creating an app icon, how to test it and why it’s important to your success in this two-part guide.

Part 1

Part 2

How to design better app icons
This article and video look at best practices for app icon design and how to create something memorable with the limited space.

How To Design Better App Icons from Michael Flarup on Vimeo.

How to create an iOS 8 icon in Photoshop
Photoshop expert Aaron Nace’s tutorial covers the process of creating icons for iOS 8 in the powerful editing tool.

Apple’s own advice for UI design and app icon creation
Apple offers its own advice on avoiding common mistakes and designing instantly recognizable icons.

As well as these videos (only viewable through the Safari browser), you can view the presentation for the 2015 WWDC conference session and the presentation slides for the 2013 talk.

Best practices for great iOS UI design

Apple Watch design tips and tricks

Apple and Google’s official guidelines
Apple and Google both offer official tips for app icon design in their extensive iOS and Android documentation for game developers, detailing best practices and where applicable, size guides.

Apple’s app icon guidelines

Apple’s icon and image size guidelines for iOS devices

Android icon design guidelines

More Android icon design documentation

Help us improve this course with new links or suggest a new course you'd like to see to mgu@pocketgamer.biz.


This was part of the Knowledge Base topic Knowledge Base: App Store Optimisation 101. For more articles in this topic click here.
Head of Content

Craig Chapple is a freelance analyst, consultant and writer with specialist knowledge of the games industry. He has previously served as Senior Editor at PocketGamer.biz, as well as holding roles at Sensor Tower, Nintendo and Develop.