App icons for iOS have evolved considerably since its inception. Early on, there was a great focus on gradients, shadows, and highlights. The gradients have seen a resurgence since then, but with far more subtlety and creative use of color combinations.
Otherwise, iOS app icons are a far-cry from the graphically-intensive designs which used to be the standard across the App Store. Just as with the styling, there is also now a shift toward clean glyphs within icon apps. Previously we’d see anything from realistic 3D camera mockups to heavily-styled illustrations.
In this gallery we are going to review an inspiring selection of ten simple and beautiful app icons for iOS 11.
Midzi iOS App Icon
Midzi’s simple iOS icon provides a perfect continuation of their branding. The design is high contrast, unique, and current.
sqAR iOS App Icon
sqAR’s app icon is incredibly unique and incorporates some delightful small details. The logo mark is high contrast, and the overall visual is understated but attractive.
VideoFix iOS App Icon
Incorporating some eye-catching gradients, VideoFix’s iOS app icon is subtle but offers some depth and individuality.
Cryptonaut iOS App Icon
Cryptonaut’s app icon design is simple but perfectly executed. The bordered shapes are high contrast and form a recognizable and unique glyph.
Flinto App Icons
Flinto’s iOS app icon is simple in form with some very subtle and precisely-executed details. These include borders and slight gradients to produce a depth effect.
Daily UI #6
The color palette on this app icon instantly makes it unique. It adds the perfect amount of depth and shadowing to the simple glyph design.
Brush iOS Icon
This brush iOS icon is both playful and colorful. Despite its simplicity, it manages to create a sense of depth. The neon colors contrast excellently against the dark background.
Tenory Mobile App Icon
In one of the simplest examples, this iOS 11 app icon for Tenory shows just how effective this approach can be. The glyph is perfectly crafted and accents beautifully against the vibrancy of the purple background.
App for Moms to be
This app icon utilizes pastel colors to create the most subtle of gradients. The glyph is beautifully-formed and contributes to a design that looks attractive throughout.
Monkey.Cool App Icon
This app icon uses flat, rounded shapes to form a unique character design. The colors and alternate backgrounds are high impact while remaining simple and in keeping with iOS 11.
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