Initially launched as a straightforward icon library, Icons8 has since evolved into a far more robust platform. After using it across a wide range of projects over the past few years, it has proven to be an essential component of the design workflow. Here’s why it may become a valuable asset in yours as well.
Today, the platform features a collection of over 1.4 million icons across 115 distinct style categories. This extensive range ensures compatibility with virtually any visual style, from minimalistic line art to vibrant 3D illustrations.
It has even ventured into music, offering royalty-free audio tracks for video projects. Icons8 has systematically eliminated all the places where designers typically have to switch contexts and hunt for resources.
Icons8’s library stands out for its stylistic consistency. Its straightforward search system lets you type your needs, filter by style, type, or designer, and even upload an image for visual search, saving countless hours matching design elements.
System-specific collections (iOS 17, Windows 11, Material Design) Creative styles (3D Fluency, Color Hand Drawn, Arcade) Specialized aesthetics (Neon, Glassmorphism, Skeuomorphism) Practical variations (Outlined, Filled, Duotone) Each style pack contains thousands of icons – the Color collection alone has over 12,700 icons! This means you’re never left hanging mid-project when you need that one specific icon to complete a set.
The format options have been a lifesaver, too:
PNGs up to 1600×1600 pixels SVGs (either as individual files or sprite sheets) PDFs for print projects The built-in editor lets you customize colors, add text, apply outlines, create compound icons, add overlays, and more – all without leaving your browser. You can export non-simplified SVGs and open them in your vector software of choice for deeper edits.
Animation That Brings Interfaces to Life Icons8’s animated icon library includes over 900 motion graphics available in formats such as GIF, JSON (Lottie), and After Effects. This collection has proven to be particularly valuable in design scenarios where subtle motion enhances user engagement—for example, during app onboarding sequences, where improved animation usage has been linked to higher completion rates.
The animations are intentionally designed to be informative and attention-guiding rather than distracting. They serve functional purposes in interfaces, helping users navigate or understand actions more intuitively.
Note: Effectively implementing these animations may require a moderate level of technical expertise. While tools like Lottie simplify the process, there remains a learning curve for those unfamiliar with integrating animated assets into digital environments.
Lunacy: An Unexpected Design Solution Source: Icons8
While exploring the Icons8 ecosystem, many users come across Lunacy , the platform’s dedicated graphic design application. Initial impressions may include skepticism—after all, the market is saturated with design tools. However, testing Lunacy on older Windows hardware often reveals surprisingly strong performance.
Unlike many Electron-based applications, Lunacy is a native app that runs efficiently even on modest systems. Originally developed as a Sketch file viewer, it has matured into a comprehensive design solution compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The user interface will feel familiar to those accustomed to modern design software. What distinguishes Lunacy, however, is its seamless integration with the Icons8 asset library. Designers can access icons, illustrations, and stock photos directly within the app, helping to maintain focus and workflow continuity.
Lunacy also offers a suite of AI-driven tools that streamline repetitive tasks:
A one-click background remover with accurate results An image upscaler that improves resolution without compromising quality A text generator that creates realistic placeholder content An avatar generator for user profiles and testimonial layouts The text generator deserves special mention. Instead of lorem ipsum, it creates contextually relevant content like names, job titles, and product descriptions, making mockups feel more realistic in client presentations.
Unlike cloud-exclusive platforms, Lunacy provides flexibility by supporting both offline work with local files and online collaboration. This is especially beneficial for projects requiring strict data security or when working in areas with limited connectivity. Additionally, Lunacy’s native support for Sketch files allows users to open, edit, and save them without the need for format conversion, significantly enhancing cross-platform collaboration.
AI Tools That Solve Problems Icons8’s approach to artificial intelligence stands out for its practicality. Rather than pursuing trend-driven features, the platform focuses on solving specific, real-world design challenges.
Initially, Icons8 developed internal AI tools to improve operational efficiency—automating tasks such as icon tagging, background removal, and image composition. These capabilities were later refined and made available to users.
The current suite of AI-powered tools includes:
The Human Generator creates remarkably realistic photos of people who don’t exist. Unlike many AI person generators with uncanny valley issues, these images look natural and professional. It’s used for mockups and placeholders when client photos weren’t available, and it has consistently passed the “looks like a real person” test. The Face Generator and Face Swapper are perfect for creating profile pictures or showing how products might look with different demographics. This feature has been used for client presentations to visualize diverse user scenarios quickly. The Illustration Generator creates consistent illustration sets in various artistic styles. While it won’t replace a talented illustrator for custom work, it’s perfect for projects needing multiple supporting graphics with a unified look. Using the verified logo What sets these AI tools apart is their focus on streamlining repetitive, technical tasks associated with image creation and manipulation. By automating these processes, Icons8 allows designers to devote more time to creative decisions that require human insight. These tools are not intended to replace designers but to enhance productivity and improve workflow efficiency.
How Different People Use Icons8 Icons8 has proven to be a versatile platform, meeting the needs of a wide range of users across different industries and roles. Based on observed applications and user feedback, professionals utilize the platform in the following ways:
Web developers UI designers value consistent styling for visual harmony in apps, with one using iOS-style icons in a healthcare app. Bulk editing saves time by changing icon colors across dozens in minutes.Marketing teams focus on illustrations and photos for brand consistency, and social media managers create aligned posts quickly.Educators and students access pro-quality assets, with teachers using icons in handouts and students benefiting from the free tier with attribution.Startups rely on Icons8 as a complete, licensed visual toolkit, with one founder using it as their only paid design tool in year one. The Business Model That Works for Everyone Icons8 has established a business model that effectively serves both the company and its user base. Its free-with-attribution tier delivers meaningful value while clearly communicating its limitations. This offering lowers the barrier to entry for students, hobbyists, and newcomers, enabling access to high-quality design assets while still acknowledging and respecting the contributions of creators.
The paid subscription plans are structured to meet the needs of professional users by unlocking higher-resolution assets, expanded file formats, and the removal of attribution requirements. This creates a natural progression—users upgrade when the tools become indispensable to their workflow, rather than due to imposed restrictions.
By supporting both free and premium usage, Icons8 fosters a diverse and active community. This model not only sustains the platform financially but also fuels continuous development. New styles, features, and tools are introduced on a regular basis, reinforcing Icons8’s long-term commitment to evolving alongside the design industry.
Room for Improvement: Honest Critiques No tool is perfect, and Icons8 has its limitations:
The sheer volume of options can be overwhelming for new users. The styles, tools, and features might feel like information overload on the first visit. Better onboarding or guided workflows would make navigation easier. Some niche design needs still require custom work. Icons8 offers many styles, but highly specialized industries or unique brands may still need tailored assets. It’s a solid foundation but not always a complete solution. Tool integration could be smoother. While each component—icons, Lunacy, AI tools—is excellent, switching between them isn’t always seamless. A unified interface could make the workflow feel more connected. Lastly, the free tier, while fair, has some limitations. Attribution requirements can complicate commercial use, often nudging users toward paid plans sooner than expected. Expert Perspectives: What Others Say Respected design professionals and their honest opinions on Icons8. Here’s what they had to say:
A senior brand designer shared, “Icons8’s consistency across their library is key for building cohesive brand systems. The icon styles are flexible enough to fit most brand guidelines without looking generic.” A UI systems specialist said, “Icons8 fits perfectly into design systems. The multiple export formats and customization options are ideal for varying technical needs. The API integration is a game-changer, centralizing icon management for large projects.” An indie game developer noted, “The game industry has unique visual requirements, and most icon libraries don’t cater to that. Icons8’s 3D and cartoon styles have saved us tons of time when creating game interfaces.” An accessibility consultant remarked, “From an accessibility standpoint, Icons8 stands out. Their icons maintain good visual clarity at small sizes, and the consistent styling makes it easier for users with cognitive disabilities to recognize elements.” The Future of Design Resources Icons8’s evolution offers a clear picture of where design resources are heading. Traditionally, designers have had to rely on multiple providers for different assets, creating friction in creative workflows. Icons8 has tackled this by integrating diverse resources into one ecosystem.
Adding AI-assisted creation tools alongside traditional design assets shows a future where the line between “finding” and “creating” assets is increasingly blurred. Rather than replacing human creativity, this integration enhances it by removing technical barriers and streamlining repetitive tasks.
They expect to see Icons8 continue developing in several directions:
Icons8 could enhance its ecosystem with AI integration features like style transfer for icons, automated icon creation from sketches, or AI-assisted design suggestions in Lunacy. Expanding design system tools could improve design system management, building on existing components and collections. Developer-focused tools could bridge the design-development gap with improved handoff features or advanced code generation. A community marketplace could be introduced, allowing designers to contribute assets while maintaining quality standards and enriching the Icons8 library. Final Thoughts: Why Icons8 Matters In a world filled with specialized, fragmented design tools, Icons8 stands out for its refreshing comprehensiveness. It bridges the gap between professional quality and practical usability in a way few platforms manage. It offers cohesive, adaptable resources for designers seeking efficiency without sacrificing quality. For those on a budget or with limited design experience, it provides an accessible entry point to professional-grade assets.
What began as a pursuit of better icons has evolved into reimagining how design resources are created, distributed, and integrated into creative workflows. Icons8’s evolution offers a compelling vision for the future of design resources: comprehensive, accessible, and thoughtfully integrated into the creative process. Is it perfect? No. But it’s become one of the first places they turn to when starting new projects or facing tight deadlines. That kind of reliable versatility is invaluable in the fast-paced digital design world.
