What Is the Nice Things Icon Set?
The Nice Things Icon Set is a collection of 128 original icons created by designer Chris Behr and released as a free resource through Smashing Magazine. The icons feature a distinctive colorful aesthetic and cover a wide range of everyday objects and concepts. This versatile resource has become a staple for designers working on web design projects, application interfaces, and marketing materials.
When building comprehensive digital experiences, having access to quality icon libraries reduces design friction and accelerates project delivery. These icons complement our UI/UX design services by providing ready-to-use assets that maintain visual consistency across interfaces. The collection also integrates well with email marketing campaigns where visual elements enhance engagement and brand recognition.
Icon Collection Overview
The set includes icons representing diverse subjects from daily life:
- Everyday objects: bikes, cakes, watches, technology
- Categories spanning: food, transportation, entertainment, and more
- Visual style: unified colorful design language
- Quality standards: consistent quality across all 128 icons
The collection stands out among free icon resources due to its cohesive visual language and generous licensing terms. Whether you're building a new UI/UX design system or need quick icon assets for client work, these icons provide professional-quality graphics without the licensing complexity of premium sets.
Multiple file formats and size options to accommodate different design workflows
Three PNG Sizes
Icons available in 100×100, 400×400, and 800×800 pixels for different use cases
Background Variations
Both background and no-background versions for each icon
AI Source File
Original Adobe Illustrator file with named layers for maximum customization
Commercial License
Free for both private and commercial use without restrictions
Practical Applications and Use Cases
The versatility of the Nice Things Icon Set makes it suitable for numerous design contexts across web and application development. For teams working on responsive email design, these icons provide visual interest without the file size overhead of custom illustrations. Similarly, when developing HTML newsletter templates, colorful icons help break up text-heavy layouts while maintaining professional presentation.
Web Design Integration
Integrating icons into web projects requires understanding file formats, optimization, and responsive considerations. The PNG formats work seamlessly with standard frontend development workflows, while the AI source file allows for SVG conversion when vector scalability is required. Proper implementation includes accessibility considerations through ARIA labels and alt text, ensuring icons enhance rather than hinder the user experience.
UI Component Applications
Icons play a crucial role in user interface design, enhancing usability and visual communication. The Nice Things Icon Set excels in several component categories:
- Navigation and menu iconography - Consistent visual language for primary navigation
- Action buttons and interactive elements - Clear visual cues for user actions
- Status indicators and notifications - Instant recognition of system states
- Form input labels and hints - Visual reinforcement of form functionality
- Dashboard and analytics interfaces - Professional appearance for data-heavy interfaces
Use Case Examples
| Context | Icon Size | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web buttons | 100×100 | PNG (transparent) | Optimized for fast loading |
| Hero sections | 800×800 | PNG (transparent) | High resolution for retina displays |
| Custom designs | AI source | Vector | Full customization capability |
Design Insights from Creator Chris Behr
Chris Behr's approach to creating the Nice Things Icon Set offers valuable lessons for designers and developers working on any creative project. The intentional constraints he imposed--drawing only positive, everyday objects--resulted in a cohesive collection that enhances any design system. This approach aligns with our branding and identity design methodology, where consistent visual language builds recognition and trust with audiences.
The Design Process
Behr approached this project with deliberate constraints that ultimately fostered creativity. As he noted, "It would be easy to say that I started working on Nice Things in the belief that I'd actually finish it. Like most designers, my computer is littered with the remains of half-finished projects." This honest assessment led to a structured approach:
- Weekly commitment: Finish at least one new icon each week
- Positive focus: Only draw what he considered "a nice thing" (no guns, bombs, or negative imagery)
- Color consistency: Used "Russian Poster Art" swatches in Illustrator for cohesive palette
- Community input: Collected ideas from colleagues to overcome creative blocks
Design Philosophy
The principles guiding the Nice Things Icon Set reflect broader best practices applicable to any branding or identity design work:
- Focus on positive, everyday objects: The icons represent things that bring joy or utility
- Consistency in style and quality: Each icon maintains the same visual language
- Balancing variety with cohesion: Diverse subjects unified by color and stroke style
This intentional approach resulted in a collection that feels both varied and cohesive--a balance that makes these icons suitable for professional applications while maintaining visual interest.
Integration Patterns for Design Systems
Incorporating the Nice Things Icon Set into organized design systems maximizes long-term value and consistency across projects. When building comprehensive design systems for enterprise applications, icon libraries require careful organization and documentation. Our AI and automation services can help streamline the integration of design assets into development workflows, reducing manual setup time.
Building Your Icon Library
- Organize icons for team access - Create a shared folder structure with clear naming conventions
- Use consistent naming conventions - Descriptive names for easy discovery and version control
- Build documentation - Document which icons exist and their intended use cases
- Maintain consistency - Apply same styling rules across all project icons
Performance Optimization
Efficient icon usage impacts overall application performance and user experience. When implementing icons in high-traffic web applications, consider these optimization strategies:
- Image optimization: Compress PNG files without quality loss using tools like ImageOptim or TinyPNG
- Lazy loading: Load icons only when needed to reduce initial page load
- Caching: Implement proper caching strategies through browser headers and CDN configuration
- CDN delivery: Serve icons from a content delivery network for faster global access
For projects requiring maximum performance, converting the AI source files to optimized SVG format can reduce file sizes while maintaining vector scalability. This approach works particularly well for responsive designs where icons must adapt to various screen sizes without quality loss.
Resource Value
128
Unique Icons
3
PNG Sizes
2
Background Options
1
AI Source File
Getting Started with Nice Things Icons
Quick Start Checklist
- Download the package - Get the ZIP file from Smashing Magazine
- Extract and review - Understand the folder structure and included files
- Select target icons - Identify icons needed for your specific project
- Prepare versions - Extract PNGs at the sizes you need
- Implement - Add icons to your design or development workflow
Best Practices
- Start with the AI source file for maximum flexibility in customization
- Create a consistent naming convention for your project files
- Document icon usage patterns for your team to maintain consistency
- Consider accessibility requirements when implementing icons in user interfaces
- Optimize for performance without sacrificing visual quality
Next Steps
The Nice Things Icon Set is a versatile foundation for any design project. Combine it with other resources to build a comprehensive design system that serves your specific needs. For teams looking to establish systematic design processes, consider exploring our comprehensive web development services that integrate quality design assets into cohesive digital solutions. Our frontend development team can help implement these icons efficiently in your production applications.
Whether you're a solo designer working on client projects or part of a larger team building enterprise applications, having access to high-quality, freely-usable icon resources like this set enables faster iteration and more professional results. The combination of multiple formats, sizes, and the original source file provides flexibility to adapt the icons to any design requirement while maintaining visual consistency across your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use these icons in commercial projects?
Yes, the Nice Things Icon Set is free for both private and commercial use. You can use these icons in software, online services, templates, and themes without any restrictions. This makes it ideal for client work and commercial products.
What file formats are included?
The download package includes PNG files in three sizes (100×100, 400×400, and 800×800 pixels) with both background and transparent options, plus the original Adobe Illustrator source file with named layers for customization.
Do I need to provide attribution?
While not strictly required by the license, providing attribution to Chris Behr and Smashing Magazine is a good practice that supports the design community. Many designers include a simple credit in project documentation or about pages.
Can I modify the icons?
Yes, the AI source file gives you full access to modify colors, shapes, and sizes. The icons are designed to be customizable for your specific project needs while maintaining visual consistency.
Sources
- Smashing Magazine: 128 Colorful Nice Things Icons For Free - Original release and designer insights
- GitHub: nicethings_icons_readme.txt - Licensing and attribution information