--- title: The new Ubuntu icons description: During last month’s vUDS we showcased the latest design explorations for the new Ubuntu icon theme. Here is a summary of what we presented. Our objectives This project’s main goal is to create a single modern, high-resolution icon theme for desktop and touch devices that can adapt to various screen densities and reinforces the Ubuntu […] url: https://canonical.com/blog/the-new-ubuntu-icons?format=md --- 1. [Blog](https://canonical.com/blog) 2. Article --- [Matthieu James](https://canonical.com/blog/author/matthieu-james "More about Matthieu James") 18 December 2013 # The new Ubuntu icons [Design](https://canonical.com/blog/tag/design) --- Share the article During last month’s [vUDS](http://uds.ubuntu.com/) we showcased the latest design explorations for the new Ubuntu icon theme. Here is a summary of what we presented. ## Our objectives This project’s main goal is to create a single modern, high-resolution icon theme for desktop and touch devices that can adapt to various screen densities and reinforces the Ubuntu user experience. We want our icons to express our values and convey Ubuntu’s personality in a unique way. We already had mobile icons for the applications and symbols, but, because they evolved over time without strong guidelines, did not form a consistent set. On the desktop, even though the style is clean and consistent, the icons looked dated and needed to be replaced too. *The previous version of desktop, mobile and monochromatic icons* ## New icons We’ve been working on this on-going project for the past year. We’ve done extensive research on the subject with a focus on learning how best to classify the icons; and we’ve gone through several design iterations and explorations. So here is the latest iteration of the new icon set. As I’ve mentioned, these are all still subject to change as we’re constantly improving and refining the designs. *Latest application icons* *Latest symbolic icons* *Icons in context — one of the latest design explorations of the dash* ## Next steps The goals for 14.04 are to provide a new icon theme for mobile and tablet, and to provide guidelines with templates to help people to design consistent icons for their apps. We’d like to eventually implement the new set on the desktop too. We’ve had lots of good feedback so far, and we’d like to get even more, so please let us know your thoughts in the comments! [Get in touch Interested in running Ubuntu in your organization?](https://ubuntu.com/about/contact-us/form) ## Sign up for our newsletter Get the latest Canonical news and updates in your inbox. Work email: \*I agree to receive information about Canonical's products and services. By submitting this form, I confirm that I have read and agree to [Canonical's Privacy Policy](https://canonical.com/legal/dataprivacy). Sign up ## Share on --- ## Related posts [### Challenges designers face in open source (and how to fix them)](https://canonical.com/blog/challenges-designers-face-in-open-source-and-how-to-fix-them) Open source powers up to 90% of modern software, yet many projects lack usability. Canonical’s Design team surveyed 115 cross-functional professionals to uncover the 4 core... [Kola Ojoodide](https://canonical.com/blog/author/kola-ojoodide) 26 June 2026 [### Why web engineering is great](https://canonical.com/blog/why-web-engineering-is-great) Hi, I’m Johann! I’m an engineering manager in Canonical’s web team. For the larger part of my 15 years of work experience as engineer, I’ve been working in web development.... [Johann Wolf](https://canonical.com/blog/author/johannwolf) 27 April 2026 [### Canonical’s recipe for High Performance Computing](https://canonical.com/blog/canonicals-recipe-for-high-performance-computing) In essence, High Performance Computing (HPC) is quite simple. Speed and scale. In practice, the concept is quite complex and hard to achieve. It is not dissimilar to what... [Igor Ljubuncic](https://canonical.com/blog/author/igorljubuncic) 24 January 2024 [### Web team – hack week 2023](https://canonical.com/blog/web-team-hack-week-2023) Today, around 96% of software projects utilize open source in some way. The web team here at Canonical is passionate about Open source. We lead with an open-by-default approach... [Anthony Dillon](https://canonical.com/blog/author/ya-bo-ng) 25 October 2023