Icon Design Icon Identification 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which icon shape is most commonly used to represent 'play' in media controls?
- A circle
- A right-pointing triangle (Correct answer)
- A square
- Two vertical rectangles
Correct answer: A right-pointing triangle
A solid right-pointing triangle is the universal play icon because it visually suggests forward motion.
Question 2: What icon is typically used to represent 'delete' or 'trash' in operating systems?
- A minus sign in a circle
- A trash can or recycle bin (Correct answer)
- An X inside a square
- A downward arrow with a line
Correct answer: A trash can or recycle bin
A trash can or recycle bin icon is the standard metaphor for deleting files, based on the physical act of discarding paper.
Question 3: An icon of an envelope is universally associated with which function?
- File storage
- Email or messaging (Correct answer)
- Notifications
- Contacts list
Correct answer: Email or messaging
The envelope icon is a skeuomorphic reference to physical mail and represents email or direct messaging in digital interfaces.
Question 4: What does a gear or cog icon typically indicate in software interfaces?
- Performance metrics
- Settings or configuration options (Correct answer)
- Manufacturing features
- CPU usage
Correct answer: Settings or configuration options
A gear/cog icon represents settings or configuration, borrowing the mechanical metaphor of adjusting machinery.
Question 5: Which icon is used to indicate that content can be expanded or that a dropdown menu exists?
- A right-pointing chevron or downward-pointing caret (Correct answer)
- A horizontal ellipsis (three dots)
- A plus sign
- A square with an arrow inside
Correct answer: A right-pointing chevron or downward-pointing caret
A downward-pointing chevron or caret signals to users that clicking will expand hidden content or open a dropdown.
Question 6: In accessibility contexts, which icon typically represents a person using a wheelchair?
- A stick figure with a halo
- A figure seated in a circular-wheeled chair (Correct answer)
- A person with a walking cane
- A figure with extended arms
Correct answer: A figure seated in a circular-wheeled chair
The International Symbol of Access (ISA) shows a stylized figure in a wheelchair and is used globally to indicate accessible facilities.
Question 7: What does the 'Wi-Fi' icon — a dot with radiating arcs above it — visually represent?
- Sound waves
- Wireless signal strength emanating from a source (Correct answer)
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Satellite signal
Correct answer: Wireless signal strength emanating from a source
The Wi-Fi icon abstracts radio waves emanating outward from a point, representing wireless signal broadcast.
Icon Design Icon Identification 3
Which icon shape is most commonly used to represent 'play' in media controls?