The basic principles of design are the essential guidelines that need
to be considered at the beginning and during the stages of the Design Process.
The principles related to icon systems are inferred from and defined through
experience and daily practice. In this paper, we make a contribution to basic
research by proposing ten principles for designing System Icons for the Graphic
User Interface. These premises, applied with wise criteria and flexibility, allow
to produce harmonic, consistent and effective signs for our electronic devices.
