50 Metro Style Icons for Windows Phone — Clean, Scalable, Ready to Use

Metro Style Icons for Windows Phone

Metro style (also known as Microsoft Design Language) defined a clean, content-first look that powered Windows Phone and influenced modern UI design. Metro style icons play a central role in that aesthetic: simple geometric shapes, bold glyphs, consistent grid alignment, and a focus on legibility at small sizes. This article explains the principles behind Metro icons, how to design and implement them for Windows Phone apps, and practical tips for creating an icon set that feels native to the platform.

What makes an icon “Metro”?

• Simplicity: Reduce visual noise. Use minimal strokes and flat shapes.
• Geometry: Favor basic shapes—squares, circles, rectangles, and straight lines—arranged on a consistent grid.
• High contrast: Icons should be clearly visible against both light and dark backgrounds.
• Single-weight glyphs: Use consistent stroke weight or solid glyph fills across all icons.
• Legibility at small sizes: Design for clarity at typical phone UI sizes (24–48 px). Avoid intricate details.

Design guidelines and grid system

• Use a square artboard (e.g., 48×48 px) with a visible grid (4 px or 8 px increments).
• Align strokes and corners to the pixel grid to avoid blurriness on lower-DPI screens.
• Keep a consistent internal margin so icons feel balanced when used together.
• If using outlines, keep stroke width consistent (e.g., 2 px at 48 px artboard). For filled glyphs, maintain consistent negative space.

File formats and export

• Provide icons in scalable vector formats (SVG) for flexible sizing and crisp rendering across screen densities.
• Export raster PNGs at standard and high resolutions (1x, 1.5x, 2x, 3x) to support various Windows Phone assets. Typical sizes: 24, 30, 48, 72 px depending on usage.
• For app tiles and system icons, include ICO and properly named asset files to match Windows Phone naming conventions.

Color and theming

• Metro favors bold accent colors paired with neutral backgrounds. Let the system accent color inform your icon fills when appropriate.
• For glyph icons, use a single solid color (usually white or black) on a colored tile or transparent background so the system can tint icons for theme changes.
• Ensure icons maintain contrast in high-contrast modes and with accessibility settings.

Accessibility and usability

• Test icons at actual sizes on device or emulators to confirm legibility.
• Avoid relying solely on iconography for critical actions—pair icons with labels where possible.
• Support high-contrast settings and scalable UI text so that users with vision needs can still navigate.

Tools and workflow

• Design in vector editors like Adobe Illustrator, Figma, or Inkscape. Use components/symbols for repeated shapes to maintain consistency.
• Create a master artboard with grid and guides, then produce every icon from that template.
• Automate exports with scripts or plugins (e.g., Figma export presets, Illustrator asset exporter) to generate multiple sizes and formats quickly.

Packaging and distribution

• Bundle icons in a downloadable zip with organized folders: SVG, PNG (1x, 2x, 3x), ICO, and a PDF or HTML preview sheet showcasing each glyph and its intended usage.
• Include a simple license (e.g., permissive personal/commercial use instructions) and a short README explaining naming conventions and recommended sizes.

Example icon set (suggested contents)

• Navigation: back, forward, menu, home
• Media: play, pause, stop, next, previous
• System: settings, search, notifications, battery
• Communication: phone, message, email, contacts
• File actions: add, delete, edit, share, download

Quick checklist before release

1. Pixel-aligned on target sizes.
2. Consistent stroke weight/visual weight.
3. Exported in SVG and multiple PNG sizes.
4. Tested on device for contrast and clarity.
5. Packaged with license and usage notes.

Creating Metro style icons for Windows Phone means embracing minimalism, consistency, and usability. By following the grid, prioritizing legibility, and preparing a clear asset package, you’ll produce icons that look native to the platform and improve the user experience of any Windows Phone app.