I am making an application that looks just like itunes and need to make a connect button that goes at the bottom with the other itunes buttons. I have the base. But what should I do for the connect symbol. Something that people will think is connect. Is there one apple has used in other applications? Thanks, here is the blank button that I made up.
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A connect button...itunes ish
- Thread starter trainguy77
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The closest that comes to mind from Apple for interactive connections is the <•••> for things like PPP (highlighted when active).
For connecting to non-interactive tasks, round arrows seem to be the order of the day (see Safari's reload, or iSync's chasing arrows).
For connecting to non-interactive tasks, round arrows seem to be the order of the day (see Safari's reload, or iSync's chasing arrows).
trainguy77 said:
Hehe. The connected symbol looks like the devil's fork. You could do something like "--><--" for connected and "--> <--" for disconnected.
The problem with that is many people will not know that means connect.iMeowbot said:This is sort of what I was picturing. The highlights don't even pretend to be close, I grabbed the first vaguely blue and grey blotches at hand.
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Well yes, if you look at most such symbols, that is the case. They are intended to be distinct and easy to remember, but they do need to be learned.trainguy77 said:
Take a look at the application you are mimicking, iTunes. What does a giant colorful eyeball mean, or that radiation symbol? How about the little CRT at the bottom with a snowflake on it? Or those two arrow pretzels on the bottom left? How about the little clover and apple on the keyboard? You learn them and move on.
One problem with the symbol you posted earlier is that it does have a pre-existing meaning, electrolytic capacitors are often drawn like that. I'd initially think it means "charge" for some kind of peripheral.
Back to schematics, a physical connection is usually shown by nested arrows, like so:
That might be a comfortable way to indicate that something is physically plugged in. I'd find it a little troubling for a virtual connection, though.
I think your image has the same issue.trainguy77 said:
Perhaps use an electrical outlet metaphor?
Why not do a 2-pin plug kind of thing?
Then once it's clicked it changed colour!?
Simply done.
::20ROGERSC::
Then once it's clicked it changed colour!?
Simply done.
::20ROGERSC::
You might get a cease and desist letter from Chevrolet for that one.
I think the <> above works, though.
irmongoose
I think the <> above works, though.
irmongoose
I have always wanted to hang one of those on my wall.irmongoose said:You might get a cease and desist letter from Chevrolet for that one.
I do not read this as connected...trainguy77 said:
Take a gander at gekko13's suggestion, it has that ball-and-socket feel that a "connection" would visually relate to.
beatsme said:
I agree. Rather than going with the connect mentality, make the image show what you're connecting to. Maybe the Network symbol with an iTunes logo somehow included. Of course, I have no skills at Photoshop or anything similar so I can't actually help with the image. However, I think this path'd be easier for the average user to understand.
