Benefits of using SVG icons in web design

Are you a web designer, graphic designer, or developer looking to enhance how your website looks? SVG icons might be the answer you are looking for! From improving accessibility to enhancing overall aesthetics in design, there are many benefits that come with using SVG icons.

In this article, we will explore how incorporating SVG files into your designs can provide numerous advantages and unlock diverse possibilities within your work. We’ll cover topics such as why these graphical elements can add an extra layer of customization, amplifying engagement among users on websites, and their ability to bring functionality to your development projects.

Equipped with all of this knowledge and an appreciation for the differences between vector format files versus traditional bitmap images, let’s dive right in on a journey learning about all things related to the SVG format!

What are SVG icons?

Designers are constantly searching for new techniques to add more personality and interactivity to their sites. Enter SVG icons. But what exactly are they, and how do they work? SVG, or Scalable Vector Graphics, is an XML-based format used to display vector graphics on the web. XML, or eXtensible Markup Language, format is a flexible, text-based language used to organize and share data. It uses custom tags to describe the information’s structure, making it easy for humans and computers to read, helping different systems communicate effectively.

Unlike traditional image formats such as JPG or GIF, SVG images are infinitely scalable without losing quality. By using CSS to style these icons, designers have complete control over their appearance, making them an incredibly versatile tool. Plus, their small file size means they won’t slow down your site. In short, SVG icons are a game-changer for web design, providing new ways to add visual interest and interactivity to any site.

But SVG icons aren’t just for looks; they can enhance the user-friendly experience of a website by simplifying navigation and conveying important information visually. By incorporating SVG icons into your web design, you can create a more intuitive and engaging user experience that will leave a lasting impression on your visitors.

Size matters

As the world progresses, web design has become more refined and intricate to ensure high functionality and usability. SVG icons have therefore played an important role in this, not only due to their sharp resolution and compatibility across devices, but also because of their incredibly small file size. Their slender nature is all thanks to their vector DNA, whereby visuals are made up of mathematical equations instead of the use of heavy pixels. This translates to faster loading times, saving both users and developers from unnecessary delays. Furthermore, the small file size means more room for other important assets. Savvy developers have embraced the power of SVG icons and recognize their ability to elevate user experiences to new heights. As more people aim to create user-friendly digital products, SVG icons have become an essential tool in the designer’s arsenal.

Customization

If you’re looking to edit SVG icons, you’ll want to have a basic understanding of CSS. This stands for “Cascading Style Sheets” and is used to add style and formatting to HTML documents. By using CSS, you can change the color, size, and shape of your SVG icons to make them match your website’s style. Additionally, designers can incorporate animation to bring SVG icons to life and add an engaging element to a web page.

In addition to their coding abilities, designers will have the freedom to take their SVG icons into vector editing software such as Illustrator or Figma, customizing them visually with no restraint. This just goes to show how versatile this format can be, as it speaks to both background developers and designers who may not speak computer language.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing SVG icons and the result is an intuitive and visually appealing experience for the user. Just remember to save your SVG file separately before making any changes so that you can always go back to the original if needed. Happy editing!

Five useful tips when using SVG icons

1. Use a sprite file: To reduce the number of HTTP requests, you should use a sprite file containing all your SVG icons. Using a sprite file reduces page load time and enhances website performance.
2. Minify SVG code: To further reduce the size of SVG icons, you should minify the SVG code. Minification removes all unnecessary white spaces, making the code smaller and faster to load.
3. Use semantic naming: To make it easier to use SVG icons, you should use semantic naming for each icon. Using semantic names makes it easier for developers to find and use the icons.
4. Use fallback icons: To ensure that your website remains accessible to users without SVG support, you should use fallback icons. Fallback icons are raster images that display in place of SVG icons for users without SVG support.
5. Test compatibility: Before using SVG icons on your website, you should test their compatibility with different browsers and devices. This testing ensures that your website remains accessible and functional across different platforms.

Pros and cons for using SVG assets

As with any design element, choosing between SVG and bitmap icons comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. While SVG icons can be easily scaled up or down without losing any quality, bitmap image icons tend to be more detailed and have a higher resolution. However, it is important to also consider the bigger picture when incorporating icons into your design. For example, SVG icons are generally smaller in file size and can decrease the load time for your website or application. Additionally, SVG icons can be manipulated using CSS and JavaScript, adding a layer of interactivity and customization that bitmap image icons may not offer. Ultimately, the decision between SVG and bitmap image icons depends on the specific needs and objectives of your design project.

SVG icons in Gogeticon

All icons available on Gogeticon will present you with various file formats for download:

Free users

• PNG: Bitmap or pixel based format with limited editing capability.

Premium users

• SVG/EPS (Vector): Scalable vector graphics and vector files that can be edited via coding or vector design software.
• PSD: Files can be opened and edited using Adobe Photoshop or any other raster-based software.
• CSS (BASE64): Encoding schemes are commonly used when there is a need to encode binary data that needs to be stored and transferred over media that is designed to deal with textual data. This encoded scheme is helpful for web building development.

When on the search for icons in Gogeticon and the SVG format appears, it means you have scalable vector graphics within your grasp! Once downloaded, you will be able to edit them in your favorite vector-based design software such as Figma and Illustrator or in CSS.

Designing websites is never straightforward, no matter how experienced you are. Yet, with this introduction to SVG icons, you will have learned the fundamental advantages of saving file space, enjoying the freedom of customizing, and benefiting from its ability to provide the functionality to your web design projects.