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Realism Just as with the colour icons covered in Chapter 5, light direction is the first point to consider, as this will affect the shading. However, there are more complications with application icons. With smaller colour icons, any shadows could be done quickly and effectively with just transparent black, but here we need to be more lifelike. Realistic shadows are either warm (hint of red) or cold (hint of blue), and this can be used to suggest temperature as well as feeling more natural. This is something you would notice on white areas the most, and shading can change the subconscious impression made by the icon. For example, the shading on a white lab coat may look better being on the colder spectrum, as this would suggest sterility and cleanliness. Warmer shading makes sense on natural white objects such as chalk or a polar bear. The same methodology can be applied to grey colours, too. Straight grey can be dull, whereas a warm or cool grey will appear more natural. Things (left) uses cool shading, while the Oxley letter (right) uses warm shading. Oxley letter by the Iconfactory, from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull™ Š 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd