Duotone icons: definition, key characteristics, uses, examples, and creation process

Duotone icons are digital icons that employ exactly two colors to create their visual representation.

The key characteristics of duotone icons are two-color design, color versatility, layered appearance, scalability, and thematic consistency.

Duotone icons are typically used in modern web and digital interfaces, user interfaces (general), branding materials, mobile applications and presentations, creating differentiation in icon sets, dark mode interfaces, and state icons.

What are duotone icons?

Duotone icons are icons created using two distinct color layers, a primary and a secondary one. This layered structure, utilizing two colors, is characteristic of this icon style and allows the icon to display two separate tones or colors, which adds depth and visual interest to otherwise simple graphics.

What are the key characteristics of duotone icons?

Duotone icon characteristics: two-color design, color versatility, layered appearance, scalability, thematic consistency.

The key characteristics of duotone icons are listed below.

Two-color design: The primary characteristic is the use of two distinct colors to create visual interest and depth in the icon.
Color versatility: Duotone icons can incorporate both solid colors and gradient fills within their two-color structure.
Layered appearance: They often utilize two overlapping layers of color, allowing for effects like highlighting or shading through opacity adjustments.
Scalability: Being vector-based, duotone icons can be easily scaled to various sizes without losing quality or sharpness.
Thematic consistency: The use of two colors makes these icons well-suited for branding and theming, as they can easily incorporate specific brand color palettes.

Where are duotone icons typically used?

Duotone icons are typically used as listed below.

Modern web and digital interfaces: Effective in creating elegant and contemporary designs, often complementing minimalist and flat design aesthetics.
User interfaces (general): Frequently used to enhance the visual appeal and user experience across various applications and platforms.
Branding materials: Utilized for general website usage and branding purposes to create a distinctive and stylish visual identity.
Mobile applications and presentations: Elevate the design and visual appeal, making the content more engaging and modern.
Creating differentiation in icon sets: Valuable for distinguishing between icons within a set, improving clarity and usability, especially in complex interfaces.
Dark mode interfaces: Recommended by some design systems for their visual harmony and readability in dark color schemes.
State icons: Often used to indicate different states, such as empty states or system messages, providing clear visual cues.

When should you use duotone icons?

You should use duotone icons strategically when your goal is to introduce multiple colors or tones, or to manipulate the opacity of individual icon layers for visual effect. This style is particularly suitable when you want to imbue a project with a stronger sense of brand identity or add an illustrative quality to your icons.

Duotone icons are also an excellent choice when designers wish to inject color and visual excitement into a design without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. In scenarios where you are working with a limited color palette, duotone icons allow for the effective use of two colors derived from that palette to create visual interest.

Furthermore, their layered structure makes them a strong contender for display on dark backgrounds, as they can maintain clarity and visual impact. Ultimately, the use of duotone icons can contribute to a project feeling fresh and up-to-date, aligning with contemporary design trends.

What are the pros and cons of using duotone icons?

The pros of using duotone icons are listed below.

Enhanced visual appeal and depth: Using two colors adds visual interest and a sense of depth to icons.
Customizable and brand-aligned: Duotone icons can be easily customized with brand-specific colors, offering more design options than single-color icons.
Versatile and effective on various backgrounds: They align with modern design trends and work well on both light and dark backgrounds.
Can highlight elements and convey mood: The use of two colors can help emphasize specific elements or create a particular atmosphere.

The cons of using duotone are listed below.

Legibility challenges at small sizes: The details in duotone icons can become difficult to discern when they are very small.
Potential technical limitations: Specific handling might be required in some desktop applications, and there could be color limitations in certain implementations.
Risk of ambiguity with poor color choices: If the color contrast is insufficient or the meaning isn’t clear, it can lead to user confusion.
Negative impact from overuse: Using too many duotone icons or ineffectively can detract from the user experience.

What are some examples of duotone icons?

Some examples of duotone icons are listed below.

Duotone heart icon: A heart shape where the main fill is one color (e.g., red) and a subtle highlight or shadow is another color (e.g., a lighter red or pink).
Duotone map marker: A map pin with the body in one color (e.g., blue) and a smaller circular detail or shadow in a contrasting color (e.g., light blue).
Duotone chat bubble: A speech bubble with the main shape in one color (e.g., purple) and an overlapping, slightly transparent layer in another color (e.g., teal) to create a subtle color variation or highlight.
Duotone settings gear: A gear icon where the main body is one color (e.g., gray) and the inner details or teeth are a different color (e.g., orange).
Duotone user profile icon: A silhouette of a person where the head and shoulders might be in one color (e.g., dark blue) and a subtle background circle or detail is in another color (e.g., light blue).
Duotone file icon: A document icon with the main page in one color (e.g., yellow) and a folded corner or a small detail indicating the file type in another color (e.g., dark yellow or brown).
Duotone shopping cart: A shopping cart outline or filled shape in one color (e.g., green) with the handle or wheels in a second color (e.g., dark green).
Duotone camera icon: A camera shape where the body is one color (e.g., black) and the lens or flash is another color (e.g., white or light gray).
Duotone play button: A triangle pointing right within a circle, where the triangle and the circle are different colors (e.g., blue and pink).
Duotone lock icon: A padlock shape with the main body in one color (e.g., dark gray) and the keyhole or shackle in a second color (e.g., light gray or gold).

How do you create duotone icons?

Creating duotone icons: understand principles, choose two colors, offset shapes, experiment with blending, keep simple.

You create duotone icons by following the step-by-step guide below.

Understand duotone principles: Duotone icons utilize only two colors to create visual interest and depth. This is often achieved by layering or overlapping different shapes with your chosen two colors.
Choose your two colors: Select two colors that work well together. They can be contrasting for a bold look or harmonious for a more subtle effect. Consider the overall mood and message you want your icon to convey.
Select a vector graphics editor: Use a vector-based software like Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Figma, or Inkscape. Vector format is ideal for icons due to its scalability.
Design your basic icon shape: Start by creating the fundamental shape or outline of your icon using one of your chosen colors. Keep the design relatively simple and recognizable.
Duplicate and offset shapes: Duplicate your base shape. Then, offset or slightly move the duplicate. This offset will create the area where your second color will be applied, giving the duotone effect.
Experiment with blending modes (optional): Some vector software allows you to apply blending modes to your shapes. Experimenting with modes like “Multiply” or “Screen” can create interesting color interactions and visual depth where the two colors overlap.
Consider overlapping areas: Instead of just offsetting, you can also design your icon with intentional overlapping areas of the two colors. The overlap will create a third, darker tone (if using normal blending) or a different color blend, enhancing the duotone effect.
Use transparency (optional): You can also use transparency with your two colors. For instance, you might have a solid base color and then apply a second color with a lower opacity over certain areas to create a lighter or more subtle variation of that second color.
Keep the design simple: Duotone icons often benefit from a clean and minimalist design. Avoid adding too many intricate details that might get lost or become visually confusing with only two colors.
Test your color combinations: Once you’ve applied your two colors, review how they work together. Ensure there’s enough contrast or visual distinction to make the icon clear and appealing.
Maintain consistency across a set: If you are creating a set of duotone icons, stick to the same two primary colors or a consistent color pairing strategy across all icons for a unified look.
Export in vector format: When you are satisfied with your duotone icon, export it in a vector format like SVG. This will ensure that your icon remains sharp and scalable for use in various digital applications.