Icon Library: More Than A Blog Supplement To Icon Shock

By Author: James P Clarke
Total Articles: 1
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Icon Shock has established itself as a go to graphic resource for stock quality icons that caters a wide variety of styles and themes at an affordable price. It stands out from similar services in that it also offers a great way to connect clients for further knowledge advancement.

Icon Library ( http://iconlibrary.iconshock.com/ ) is a key site in Icon Shock's strategy of providing an excellent service, serving as the main means of connection for clients so they can be kept up-to-date with the new icon set releases, so they can explore new trends to apply to their websites.

The website can be accessed from the link provided before or by accessing the Icon Shock website ( www.iconshock.com ) and clicking the "Blog" tab at the top. Its appearance is very similar to the one presented at the parent site, making navigation seamless for both new and existing customers.

Icon Library is not only a commercial information source, and aside for new stock icon set release announcements it also provides insights on the icon design ...
... process, teaching clients how they can create new icons or adapt the one they already have and that way improving their presentation and communication with customers.

The navigation bar at the top eases content browsing. The "Home" tab allows going back to the blog homepage; clicking "Stock icons" will direct you to Icon Shock's main website to browse the different stock icon sets offered; "Free icons and icon lists" displays posts with resources related to free icons, be it from Icon Shock itself or from featured designers; "Tutorials and articles" focuses on being an informative tool, with guides in the icon-making process, insights in current trends and recommendations for improvement in web design; "Contact us" provides a better connection with the designers for inquiries and questions that may surface.

Just below the navigation bar a slideshow displaying icons produced by Icon Shock is presented, giving a first-time impression of the expertise and knowledge that the Icon Library is able to share in its contents. The slideshow includes icons from various categories and styles and clicking on them will direct to Icon Shock for expanded information on the stock icon sets available. The slideshow can be paused and resumed if needed.

Blog posts can be accessed in full form by clicking their titles or by following the "(more...)" link at the end of the post summary. Post are always full with descriptive images that allow for a clear communication of ideas and, specially for tutorials, an important visual aid. Comments can be posted with no required registration, making the blog an open communication channel to express opinions or questions regarding the posted content.

In addition to blog posts, the website's right column features subscription via RSS or Twitter and sharing buttons for popular sites Twitter, StumbleUpon, Digg and Facebook. Below these buttons, a showcase can be found with highlights of the different stock icon sets being offered at the parent website. Clients are then able to subscribe and receive complete information, including articles and product information, having a handy resource to interact with in order to advance their projects, and also share this information with their peers, increasing the feedback that can be transmitted between all parts.

The stock icon sets displayed in the right column are randomly shown with every visit, giving visitors an experience which is always fresh each time they read the blog; providing examples of the styles that can be achieved to enhance the experience on the designer project, from flat minimalistic designs to glossy 3D icons with perspective.

Articles themselves are very detailed, with sections that allow a step by step progression; guides are greatly benefitted from this since readers will be able to get involved and practice between each of the sections. While being extensive, articles avoid being tedious by adding visual aids and example pictures for every paragraph.

A great example on how the quality is reflected at Icon Library can be found in the article "Icon design, the ultimate guide" which explores in depth the various icon design styles and how can they be achieved. It excels by accompanying text with clear and big pictures, resulting in an easy reading process, being effective in instructing and guiding. Tutorials follow this style in a similar way, being friendly and accessible to both starter designers as advanced ones who wish to refine and update their knowledge.

Another interesting feature at Icon Library is its interviews, which give a deeper insight on how professional designers have become what they. Interviews allow these designers to share their knowledge and experience to inspire readers; in addition to this displaying an often-forgotten human side in their work, by talking about their lives and hobbies outside the design environment.

Although the name is Icon Library, icons are not the exclusive scope of the blog, covering wide topics in web design, including logo design and typography. With this, the array of services and learning tools is diversified and improved, becoming a knowledge hub. One can see the concepts taught on the different articles applied in the site itself, complementing with linking to third parties that expand on related topics.

The convergence of information provided at icon Library makes it even more than a supplement to Icon Shock, becoming a resource itself that plays side to side with the content offered at its parent. The blogs gives a look under the hood in the thought processes on how concepts come to become visual tools of communication, offering the high quality products created the same principles they teach.

In conclusion, Icon Library sets an example on adding value to a main product and it is an interesting proposal in connecting a business with its customers. The blog lets clients experience the design workshop with the help of electronic means, exploring trends, techniques and having an open space for expression and learning. Icon Library is a neatly integrated service that approaches clients to a do-it-yourself goal, improving their creativity and skills.