In a modern world of UI and graphic design, no one can hardly imagine a user interface without an icon. Starting from the early pre-IT era we were using icons even though we never used this exact meaning. Traffic signs, metro signs, emergency exit circuits were widely used in our everyday life.
Later, with the appearance of a Windows XP, a true problem of visualizing the actual meaning of an icon, that started replacing the classic button, arisen. Design of an icon became a complex routine and many designers had to create a hugely sized image first and then trim it down to a smaller vector version.
Nowadays, as we started getting more and more information from a screen (websites, messengers, aggregators), icons moved into a process of simplification. Already in a first iPhone, icons became highly detailed, had a flat design and calm colours. Then, an OS for Windows Phone and Windows 8 Metro interface went on stage. One colour to represent one object, no shadows, no-way a 3D or other complex forms.
Many graphic designers started to create simplified icons as a set of libraries that devalued the process of creating a unique icon itself.
Anyone can go now to Iconfinder or Flaticon and select an icon set he need from a dozen of choices.
And that’s it – you simply getting almost any icon for free or for a tiny sum of cash without a fear of seeing the same on another website or app.