How do I find the right designer for pixel-perfect graphics, please help!!!

[youki5000]

I have programmed an application and need an ICO file for it. This ICO contains the sizes (16x16, 24x24, 32x32, 48x48, and 256x256). Especially with the small sizes it has to be pixel perfect, otherwise it won't be sharp but pixelated and blurry.

I'm slightly desperate because I've now had 7 designers and they all say they understand the task but none of them can get it done. I also have to explain everything several times and then I'm asked again whether it's correct, even though you can see it in Explorer on your computer in all sizes, whether it's correct and whether it's displayed correctly.

Can someone please tell me how to find the right designer? Is the task defined incorrectly so that it is sharp in all sizes, it has to be pixel perfect or what do you graphic designers call this?

I created the icon in Inscape (SVG/ Vector). I had a designer who edited it almost perfectly (maybe raster based?!) but only in 16px and unfortunately he is no longer available and didn't give me the correct source file. I would like to finish it but I can't do it without an icon and of course the budget is limited since it is a hobby project but I would like to publish it in the Windows Store.

This is the almost perfect, sharp and not blurry icon in the Windows System tray in 16px.

Edited October 23, 2023 by youki5000

[nazirq]

The job was very clearly defined.

[jimkernicky]

Why don't you convert it to ICO in Inkscape? I just searched for "How to turn an inkscape svg file into ico" and found a number of results. I also use Inkscape but I am not a designer. I could try it for you and If I can't do it we could mutually cancel the order. I could also try it in Figma - I found results searching for "How to turn an svg file into ico in figma". What are you using the ico files for? Let me try to do it in both Inkscape and Figma on one of my SVG files and I'll get back to you.

 

Jim

[nazirq]

FYI, the max size for an ICO is 128x128 px for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows OS

[nazirq]

2 hours ago, nazirq said:

The job was very clearly defined.

FYI, the max size for an ICO is 128x128 px for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows OS

[youki5000]

@jimkernickyI've tested it in an ICO converter and it also uses a raster based editing, so it's like Inscape and outputs it as ICO. Guess I could create the sizes in Vector and adjust it as rasterbased format. Could only take a few days, lol.

Edited October 23, 2023 by youki5000

[jimkernicky]

@youki5000 What do you mean you tested it? Tested what? Your original SVG design or ICO versions of your original SVG design? And where did you test it? I assume ICO format is vector. Can it be either raster or vector? Let me

1. read some of the articles I found
2. test it with Inkscape
3. test it with Figma

And I'll get back to you...

[youki5000]

Quote

FYI, the max size for an ICO is 128x128 px for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows OS

@nazirq

Ok, Thanks. Have to test it anyway.

Had it from here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/design/style/iconography/app-icon-construction

Maybe it's outdated.

Quote

Apps should have, at the bare minimum: 16x16, 24x24, 32x32, 48x48, and 256x256. This covers the most common icon sizes, and by providing a 256px icon, ensures Windows should only ever scale your icon down, never up.

 

[youki5000]

@jimkernickyI've tested it in an ICO converter (Greenfish) and it also uses a raster based editing, so it's like GIMP (sorry, got that wrong) and outputs it as ICO. 

Yes, i tested my original vector and tested the edited great raster based files from the designer.
According to Microsoft an ICO contains BMP or PNG which are raster based.

Edited October 23, 2023 by youki5000

[nazirq]

Yes, all converter programs produce images with hazy edges. The pixel-perfect ICO requires manual editing of these files (pixel-by-pixel).

[jimkernicky]

I found a plugin in Figma called icns/ico Generator. I used it to download an SVG as ICO in 128, 256 and I think I got 64. I got cut off by Fiverr because I reached the max 5 posts per day. You can check out my Figma design here. 

 

 

[youki5000]

@nazirq @jimkernicky Yes, you have to edit it manually. No program can do it.

What I don't understand, you can check the sharpness of the Icons you made in the Windows explorer by changing the view.

I don't know, if people don't have such good eyesight either. Somehow it doesn't work. Do I have to look for someone with a higher Fiverr level and possibly pay more?! I'm pretty sure a trained graphic designer must be able to do that. I really don't have any energy left. There must have been 10 - 11 people by now. Maybe I could have learned that myself in that time.

Edited October 24, 2023 by youki5000

[youki5000]

On 10/24/2023 at 11:24 PM, youki5000 said:

@nazirq @jimkernicky Yes, you have to edit it manually. No program can do it.

What I don't understand, you can check the sharpness of the Icons you made in the Windows explorer by changing the view.

I don't know, if people don't have such good eyesight either. Somehow it doesn't work. Do I have to look for someone with a higher Fiverr level and possibly pay more?! I'm pretty sure a trained graphic designer must be able to do that. I really don't have any energy left. There must have been 10 - 11 people by now. Maybe I could have learned that myself in that time.

PS:
Ok, I had to read the article now. Microsoft also says that you need an experienced designer and that the 16 and 32px need to be adjusted separately. I also found out that these are called favicons. 🙂

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favicon
https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/windows/win32/uxguide/vis-icons

The testing thing is wrong, sorry. You probably have to use the preview in the graphics program, because the explorer saves the icons in the cache, which is annoying and has to be deleted every time.

Edited October 26, 2023 by youki5000

[youki5000]

On 10/25/2023 at 7:37 AM, yeasin_seo said:

Certainly, here are the top 5 key points to find the right designer for pixel-perfect graphics:

1. **Review Portfolios**: Examine the designer's portfolio to ensure their past work reflects pixel-perfect precision.

2. **Read Reviews**: Check reviews and ratings from previous clients to gauge the designer's professionalism and quality of work.

3. **Interview Designers**: Discuss your project with potential designers and inquire about their experience in creating pixel-perfect graphics.

4. **Check Tools Proficiency**: Ensure the designer is skilled in relevant design software and tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.

5. **Define Expectations**: Clearly communicate your expectations and project details to the designer to ensure they understand your requirements.

I guess I need to be shown a live website with the favicon?! Of course I tried to take the points mentioned into account. I wasn't aware of point 4 until a few days ago. I thought I'd look at the years of experience and, since I was desperate, someone older with a photo, but then they tried to create it simply using a function.