The How and Why of Our Icon Refresh

Replay.io's design team recently updated the icons for their devtools, which include Comments, Source Explorer, and Pause Information, to improve usability and consistency. Initially, the designer used Apple's SF Symbols, a collection of free icons optimized for iOS, but encountered challenges using them on the web, prompting a switch to Google's Material Icons. Material Icons offered a variety of weights, styles, and accessibility features, making them ideal for web use. The previous icons had inconsistent heights and lacked clarity, whereas the new icons are uniform squares, enhancing the visual appeal and functionality. The team deliberated over the best icon for "Pause Information," ultimately choosing a pause symbol with a circle, which was well-received for its clarity. This design evolution highlights the importance of rationale in design decisions, aiming to enhance both aesthetics and implementation efficiency.