In an attempt to remedy this situation, Japanese icon site, icongator.com recently release part one of its quality traffic signs icon set. This is the first part of a new icon series that will be release in parts over the course of the next 6 months. Until now, most icons on Japanese sites that target icon searchers have been dealing out older style .gif images that blink on and off, which is typical of those that were created when the Internet and web design was in its infancy.
Japan is approximately 10 years behind the western world in terms of what is available on Japanese sites, for those using local Japanese search. On icon sites that are run by American webmasters, a person looking for quality web icons can easily find an abundant supply. However in Japan, until now, this has simply not been the case.
The web icons in the traffic signs icon set are made from “vector graphics” and have been saved as .png files. What is really unique, and possibly a first, is that for future releases the icons are likely to include the original source vector graphic files. What this means to the user of the icon set is that when enlarging or making the icons smaller, they will keep their smooth shape, and will always have a look of quality. Seichiro Matsuyama of http://www.icongator.com said, “With this free icon series we really hope to change the direction of icon creation in Japan. We realize how frustrated people have become, and are looking to ease their tension with higher quality icon sets.”
This first of the traffic icon set on offer by the site compliments an earlier set launch of sales tag icons. According to sources behind the scenes, the sales tag and price tag icons seen here http://www.icongator.com/
Typically an icon represents something for use in the computer industry, for example a download arrow, or an RSS feed icon. Icongator.com is breaking away from this traditional mold, and is taking icon design in a different direction by trying to develop icons that represent things that can be found in daily life. This is the reasoning behind the traffic sign and sales tag icons. Both of these are items that a person is likely to encounter on a daily basis.
When asked about what she thought of the newest series that is set for launch, company secretary, Keiko Yamashita said, “I think they’re very cute. At first I didn’t like them, but now they have really grown on me. I’m glad to be working for a company that can help people of all ages find what they are looking for.” The first set in the series can be seen at http://www.icongator.com/
Unlike other icon sites, icongator.com does not charge for the icons that they develop and release. New sets are constantly being created and released to the general public. Most of the sets have no restriction, and can be used commercially or for personal use. What this means to the average designer who needs icons is that they can use them in client web design projects, or on their computer at home. For those who have been searching for quality icons on Japanese icons sites, this really is a first.
