Feedback on my icon, please

scitunes

Would you click on this:



obviously the "sample" will be removed

peachpellen

IT'S TERRIBLE.

Just joking :P

I like it but it seems too busy. Then again, I'm no icons expert ^-^;

synthesis

Its bad SciTunes...try again.

Reasons:
Way too muddy. Needs more definition in color.
Color contrast is off
Colors are unappealing and flat
Rocket shape is uninteresting.

Your avatar would make a much better icon than the one you show.

Work out a few more samples and let us pick at those.
In the end...I am sure you will create something great.

scitunes

thanks for the honesty! It does me no good at all when people are being nice but not honest - so I appreciate your candor.

The problem is that the game I have been working on for 6 weeks (that goes with my avatar) is just about done, but I am waiting for the update. So for the last few days I have been working on a quick iPad project. I think it is fun and the 2 player mode is pretty cool, but I'm not quite confident enough in its sales potential to invest much on art.

I'll try a few other things.

P.S. this icon is completely unrelated to the game that goes with my avatar.

synthesis

Just get a good rocket ship image from iStock...then make the colors pop and make the shapes work.

A trick is remove all color from the icon (desaturate). Then see if it still works.
Keep the color palette simple and bright. This will help immensely.

scitunes

Would anyone with an iPad like to beta test this? Maybe it would be worth investing in some art if people liked the game enough.

Send me your iPad UDID if you are interested:

dan [at] sciTunes [dot] com

Thanks!

scitunes

Thanks for the specific tips, synthesis! I'll try that.

scitunes

Thanks, TSB!

Anyone else interested?

Send me your iPad UDID if you are interested:

dan [at] sciTunes [dot] com

Thanks!

scitunes

All of these images have been "borrowed" for now. Obviously I will pay if I end up actually using one.

expired_012

Maybe you just pay someone to make it for you. Icons are extremely important, same goes for screenshots.

For me my icon isn't really the problem, but I think I am going to be paying someone to design my screenshots for me

synthesis

The second one is not bad...but the target icon doesn't work...too non-specific and too much red. Look at you avatar and note how the yellow pops on the black background. Look for those high contrasts in color and use orange, yellow or cobalt blue or red as your main pop color with opposite colors to contrast (dust off that color wheel if necessary).

Study icons in the app store that grab your attention. Why did you take notice? Look at a "What's Hot section and note the first 3 you notice. Why did you notice them?

design219

Can you share a few screen shots of your game?

peachpellen

Tshirtbooth is right - it makes me think of a sound/idiot test app.

But you're on the right track IMHO. Brightly coloured and clean is good.

I'd like to see a screenshot too if possible.

scitunes

Totally new direction with the graphics. In the game you control the space ship the blobs try to get you.

hrsmedia

The icon seems a bit busy, maybe take out the ray background. Maybe better ship also? Just a thought..

Edit: Actually the ship looks ok, but you can't really see it properly. How about just the ship on it's own? With a nice contrasting background colour?

scitunes

The game is going to be called "Blob Attack!" so I think the blob should be part of it.

Maybe just the blob?

scitunes

hrsmedia

Could work, but I'm not too keen on the rays background. Just my opinion.
Maybe use a similar background colour/theme you have in the game?

peachpellen

I like the background; I think that last icon is getting closer.

Ultimately though it's what you want to use that matters; all of us here probably have different opinions and different things that have worked for us - but not everyone can be right.

Just keep it in mind before you make every change people suggest; there will never be a time when everyone here agrees 110% that the icon is perfect, sadly ^-^;

StusApps

I think it needs a stroke applying to the blob in photoshop, just a nice smooth black stroke around it to make it stand out. I would make it larger and relocate it the lower right of the icon so it is not fully on the screen,

hrsmedia

The background is alright, I just don't like it with the blob as it is. StusApps suggestion could make it work.

scitunes

scitunes

@ stu -

hrsmedia

Looking good, I like the blob you've used on the icon with the black background.

scitunes

Anyone else want to beta test this? (iPad)

reddotinc

scitunes said:
Anyone else want to beta test this? (iPad)

Happy to help you out dude!

// red.

synthesis

How about the UFO shaped blob sitting on top of a small earth with a starred black background? No rocket ship and tiny stars...not a big bright star.

The blob should be looking at you...not looking away.

synthesis

Maybe something like this?


its quick and dirty...but maybe it will help spawn some more refinement.
I like where its going now.

scitunes

expired_012

If you had to choose between the two in your last post, I would say the first one. Getting closer, major improvements from the earlier ones, but still needs some refinements

synthesis

It still looks a bit amateurish and cut and paste. You've got to get it so that it is clean and polished looking without the "collage" look. Bumps! and Stunt Squirrels are excellent icon examples of what works on the app store.

Keep polishing.