Another thing to consider is that sometimes the way a monitor displays color really varies, so that icons that look really wonderful on one screen can look weird on another. So I wonder if that's an issue we have going on here!
The "first" icon is very impressive, then--I really thought you added the text afterward, it's so nice and clear!
I like "smile" too, and I agree that it works nicely with two people in there! I actually have this weird desire to try shifting the image to the left, so that we only see a bit of the important smile and see a bit more of the man looking at the smile? Almost teasing the viewer to want to see more of the main, focus-smile. I'm not sure it would work, but it's the way I instinctively want to play with the picture.
As for the "past" icon, you're dealing with something I have major problems doing--distinguishing two small people against a large landscape. Here's an icon by orangelusik that I think does it very well (and I'm constantly trying to imitate, because that's how I learn to make better icons):
As far as I can tell the icon works so well because the coloring focuses the attention in the correct places...that said, I have no idea what coloring this required!
I like the alternative "past" icon a lot. Maybe I'm weird, but I tend to like icons with a lot of empty space.
Also, that third icon in "colour" is totally wonderful-- I like way you extended the shadows, and only used pink but managed to use multiple tones of the color.
I enjoy the mega-rambling! I sort of over-think things in my world, including icons, so it's really fun to talk through all these concepts with you!
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The "first" icon is very impressive, then--I really thought you added the text afterward, it's so nice and clear!
I like "smile" too, and I agree that it works nicely with two people in there! I actually have this weird desire to try shifting the image to the left, so that we only see a bit of the important smile and see a bit more of the man looking at the smile? Almost teasing the viewer to want to see more of the main, focus-smile. I'm not sure it would work, but it's the way I instinctively want to play with the picture.
As for the "past" icon, you're dealing with something I have major problems doing--distinguishing two small people against a large landscape. Here's an icon by
As far as I can tell the icon works so well because the coloring focuses the attention in the correct places...that said, I have no idea what coloring this required!
I like the alternative "past" icon a lot. Maybe I'm weird, but I tend to like icons with a lot of empty space.
Also, that third icon in "colour" is totally wonderful-- I like way you extended the shadows, and only used pink but managed to use multiple tones of the color.
I enjoy the mega-rambling! I sort of over-think things in my world, including icons, so it's really fun to talk through all these concepts with you!