Design Principle
Icons are not universal language; affordance comes from icon, label, placement, and feedback together.
Principle Icons are not universal language; affordance comes from icon, label, placement, and feedback together.
Design action Common low-risk actions may use icon buttons; unfamiliar, risky, or critical actions need text, tooltip, or confirmation state.
Examples Positive example: Toolbars, card actions, navigation, and editor controls have limited space but important actions. Counterexample: Risky actions use only ambiguous icons.
Apply when Toolbars, card actions, navigation, and editor controls have limited space but important actions. Users need to judge state, scope, risk, or next action quickly.
Source notes Source note: Synthesized from Apple HIG, Material Design, NN/g usability principles, and layout/hierarchy practices in mature design systems.
Agent Directive
Common low-risk actions may use icon buttons; unfamiliar, risky, or critical actions need text, tooltip, or confirmation state.