New types of content and pricing
Fixed prices for icons, illustrations, and 3D
The last 6 months have been busy at Iconfinder. We have gone from being an icon-only platform to offering icons, illustrations, and 3D illustrations alike, with a strong focus on high-quality and modern content. This lateral expansion has opened us to new markets and is bringing new commercial opportunities for our contributors.
However, having content of three natures gave way to new discussions. How are we defining each type of content? How should the different types of content be presented to customers? And how should each be priced?
Icons, illustrations and 3Ds
Let’s start by defining each type of product.
Icons
Icons are simplified and stylised graphics whose aim is to capture the essence of an object or action (it zooms in). Often using geometrical shapes, a good icon can be understood by everyone in a few seconds. Icons work very well in small sizes and are often used as UI elements.
If you are a designer, you can read more in this article on Opportunities for icons.
Illustrations
Illustrations are more elaborate and artistic graphics whose aim is to enchant and bring life into a situation or action. Often using organic shapes and strokes, illustrations can be metaphorical and open to interpretation. They need to be seen in larger sizes in order to be understood. They are often used in presentations, landing pages, error pages, or even printed on books.
We currently have 22,272 illustrations on Iconfinder. The illustrations shop is still in its infancy and has a huge potential for growth. If you are an illustration designer, you can read about Opportunities for illustrations and check our Guidelines for illustrations.
3D illustrations
3D graphics are those created with 3D-modelling software. They range from simple objects to more elaborate characters and scenes. Light and shadow play an important role here.
The 3D shop currently counts 5,234 graphics. We expect a large growth for it in 2022. If you are a 3D designer, read our article on Opportunities for 3Ds and check our Guidelines for 3Ds.
How content is presented
You can now easily select what type of graphics you want to search for when typing your keywords in the search bar. There is a dropdown from which you can pick whether you want to find icons, illustrations or 3Ds.
Alternatively, you can navigate to each content type directly from the Iconfinder homepage.
This will take you directly to the landing page as shown below. Here, only content organised in families is presented. You can browse for the visual style you like best and find all the items within that family. If you are a contributor on Iconfinder, here you can read more about Organizing your products.
A price unification
After grouping the distinct types of graphics and presenting them, we noticed that there were significant price differences within products of the same nature. For example, prices for illustrations ranged from $2 to $5, for icons from $2 to $4, and so on.
With content at so many different prices, it had become increasingly difficult to talk about the purchasing options without using a lengthy explanation or without using the expression “Prices start at …”. The result was a feeling confusion, as we have seen while doing customer interviews in 2021.
We believe in simplicity — when buying digital assets for a large project that you are busy working on, you don’t want to spend time figuring out complex pricing. Therefore, and in order to ensure clarity in our communication, prices on Iconfinder have become fixed from January 2022.
The new prices
- All icons are priced at $2. For Pro subscribers, they cost 2 credits.
- All illustrations are priced at $5. For Pro subscribers, they cost 5 credits.
- All 3D illustrations are priced at $5. For Pro subscribers, they cost 5 credits.
This means that there will no longer be price differences between designs of the same nature. For you as a contributor, it means that you will not be able to decide the price for the individual graphics in your shop, but you will still be able to choose how to price your packs and families.
Who classifies content
For you as a contributor, all content is uploaded using the same Upload flow. At the moment, it is not possible for you to indicate whether you are submitting icons, illustrations or 3D. The Iconfinder team will classify your products upon approval and give them their correct prices.
For any questions or concerns, feel free to write to us at support@iconfinder.com.
