Icons are visual representations that convey meaning. In user interfaces and graphic design, icons serve as intuitive symbols to communicate ideas and actions.
When creating icons with Stable Diffusion, it is important to provide prompts that clearly describe the icon’s purpose, style, and essential visual elements. Here are some best practices for writing effective Stable Diffusion prompts for generating icons:
Specify the Icon Purpose and Message
Clearly state what the icon aims to communicate. For example:
- “An icon for saving files”
- “A recycle bin icon”
- “A play button icon”
Define the Visual Style
Icons tend to use simple, bold shapes and clean lines. Specify the desired visual style in your prompt:
- “Flat design style”
- “Line icon”
- “Solid black icon on a white background”
- “Minimalist icon using only basic shapes”
Include Essential Icon Elements
Describe any essential symbols, shapes, or details the icon should incorporate:
- “A floppy disk symbol to represent saving files”
- “A trash can pictured from a slight angle above”
- “A right-facing triangle to signify play”
Set the Composition
Indicate how geometric shapes and elements should be composed within the icon:
- “Centered composition”
- “Triangle overlapping a circle”
- “Two gears interlocking”
Define Size and Aspect Ratio
Many icons are designed within a small square canvas. Specify the desired dimensions:
- “32 x 32 pixel icon”
- “128 x 128 pixel icon”
Request Multiple Variations
Generating several variations can help achieve more options to choose from:
- “Three variations of a send email icon”
- “Five concepts for a contact icon”
Here are some full prompt examples for generating icons with Stable Diffusion:
Minimalist 32 x 32 pixel icon of an old school video camera in retro VHS camcorder style, flat line art, black and white64 x 64 pixel icon of a life preserver ring in flat cartoon style, centered composition, solid red with white outline on transparent background128 x 128 pixel icon set of 5 concepts for an alarm clock icon in solid black on white background, simple circular clock face with two triangles for alarm bellsWhen iterating on prompts, focus on clearly specifying the icon purpose, style, essential elements, composition, and presentation to achieve an effective icon that intuitively communicates meaning at a glance. Analyze what’s working well in the AI generations and refine the wording to improve results.
Prompt Structure
Structure your prompts using the following framework:
- Specify icon purpose and message
- Define visual style (flat, line art, etc.)
- Include essential icon elements and symbols
- Set composition of elements
- Define exact size and aspect ratio
- Request multiple variations
Following this structure will help you efficiently communicate exactly what you want to the AI.
Prompt Length
Ideally keep prompts under 75-100 tokens in length. Stable Diffusion can process longer prompts but shorter prompts tend to achieve better results.
Keyword Categories
When writing icon prompts, use keywords in the following categories:
Purpose: saving, deleting, uploading, playing
Style: flat, line art, solid color, minimalist
Elements and Symbols: triangles, circles, squares, arrows
Composition: centered, diagonal, overlapping, foreground and background elements
Presentation: size, aspect ratio, color, background
Useful Websites:
- Icons8 – Icons and illustrations
- Noun Project – Icons categorized by common topics
- Iconfinder – Free and premium icons
Hope this gives you some good starting points for generating icons with Stable Diffusion! Let me know if you have any other questions.