Diversity is one of our Criteria for approving icons and illustrations.
Whenever you are drawing icons and illustrations that include people, try to stay away from stereotypes. Our recommendation is to stay open-minded about the type of people you include in your designs.
We recommend including people with:
Different skin colours
Examples of illustrations of diverse people:
Examples of icons of diverse people:
Different ages, with a particular focus on age-positive illustrations (portraying old age as a happy and dignified age instead of showing sickness and frailty).
Example of an illustration showing a grandfather teaching his granddaughter:
Examples of icons that portray old people in a positive way:
Different religions, ethnicities, cultural groups
Disabilities and impairments (blindness, deafness, hearing aids, etc.)
Different sexual orientations
No gender stereotypes (especially around professions and roles at home and in society; avoid portraying only men in management jobs, for example)
Here is what customers have been saying about diversity:
“A suggestion — maybe “diversity” should apply to age, as well? Be great to have some grey hair and bald heads in there, too… that would make the selection truly inclusive.”
“Makers would you be willing/able to add us (black ppl) in nature-based settings hiking, biking, birding, gardening, etc.)? There is def a need in the environmental space as well!”
“Will you please add some illustrations of people with the disability of hearing loss, deaf, and also cochlear implants?”
“Inclusion and diversity — students need to see themselves in the content they’re working with.”
To read more about the topic, check out The issue of diversity in icon design article on our blog.