I don’t think this is just how it should be… I think it’s how things already are.

I looked back at the old “back when they were good!” examples and realized that six of them could be the same app and none of us would know.

I used those icons (and their applications), and I’m far enough removed in time to not remember which was which.

All of this only further cements the idea that the users bring way more to this than the supposed design theories.

But we sure do like the idea of modern masters reaching into the human psyche with phenomenally intuitive icon design.