Parentheticals & Excursions

Playing with the latest Android Google Maps application, it reminded me that it contains one of my favourite icons. I’m aware that few people will have even considered the possibility of having favourite icons, but that doesn’t stop me having them.

This icon appears within Android Google Maps to provide users with a route back to the map view from other activities in the application. Here are reasons I like it:

• It’s distinctive
• It’s high contrast
• It’s a balanced composition that occupies the available space efficiently.
• Within a small space, it incorporates, clearly, two elements: A map (which is basis of the application icon) and Google’s distinctive marker design
• The icon combines both elements to create an M that strengthens the connection with “Map” for english speaking users (consciously or not).

I think it’s a small masterpiece of icon design.