Stop Picking Dashboard Icons by Keyword

Short summary

Dashboard icon problems usually stem from keyword-based selection, where the same icon carries multiple meanings. Instead, classify icons by functional role—navigation, status, action, or object—to create a consistent visual vocabulary. Navigation icons should be simple and scannable; status icons direct; action icons labeled if ambiguous; object icons visually distinct.

• •Choose dashboard icons by functional role, not by keyword match
• •Classify icons into five categories: navigation, status, action, object, empty state
• •Each role has distinct requirements: navigation must be scannable, status direct, actions labeled when ambiguous

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