App icons and the new normal?
😷 Masks have invaded our phones.
I came across an interesting visual on the Play store today — an app icon with a mask. Thinking it was an isolated example, I decided to dig deeper. To my surprise, there were more. Apps with an updated hygiene-centric identity to reflect the pandemic. At first glance, it felt a bit superficial. Apps are obviously not human. Nor do the ones above have any mascots. So why this trend?
The app store is like a battlefield. Hundreds of apps vying for your attention. And the app icon is usually the first point of engagement with a product. It has to make a good impression. And these apps are making three good ones:
1. Assure safety
While we continue working from home, a lot of traditional businesses are struggling to get back to daily operations. Think of those which depend heavily on physical interactions — restaurants, on-demand services, hospitality, delivery and many more.
Inspite of safety protocols in place, customers are hesitant to drop in or engage. A mask on the app icon, is definitely a nice touch in communicating safety measures adopted by businesses.
Almost like a reassuring “We’re open” sign.
2. Accessorize safety
I was surprised to see Bewakoof — an online fashion portal, use a mask in its app icon. Didn’t make any sense for a packaged product that can be washed. But I was wrong. They sell fashion masks. And since we’ll have to wear one for a while, why not make it fashionable.
Masks are the new accessories. And Bewakoof does a good job at letting users know about their collection with a fancy mask on the app icon.
Smart.
3. Reinforce safety
Evidence suggests that wearing a mask in public reduces the spread of COVID19. It is the only way. Just like seat-belts, helmets and other safety precautions, masks work. Don’t listen to what others have to say.
The good thing is, a lot of us have developed a habit of wearing one in public. And we need to keep on reinforcing this habit. Not out of fear, but out of a communal solidarity of protecting those around us.
As Batman would say:
“The mask is not for you. It’s for the people you care about”.
So far so good.
But the only ones to stand out in the above image are telecom operators — Vodafone and Idea. I find their usage of a mask on the app icon questionable because:
- Customers already have a hard time reaching them 😃 (Just kidding).
- I’m being picky here, but they’ve used one with an exhale valve.
- It is trendy.
That last bit is interesting. We’ve seen skeuomorphism, flat design and neumorphism. But for the first time, app icons of the world are hopefully uniting themselves around a unique trend — masks. A trend necessitated by the uncertain circumstances in the real world. And it looks to have caught on with a few. Time will tell whether others catch up or not. But if they do, the novelty will wear out eventually. And make your home screen seem like a quarantine facility or just boring.
But hey! If it gets more people to use a mask in public, I’ll be a happy designer.
Stay safe!
