Sovelluskuva

Sovelluskuva is a Finnish term used in information technology to describe the primary image associated with a software application. In common usage it refers most often to the application's icon that appears on a device’s home screen or app launcher, but it can also denote marketing or in-app imagery used to represent the software in stores, catalogs, or documentation.

Role and scope

An sovelluskuva acts as the visual identity of a program. It should be recognizable, consistent with the brand, and legible at small sizes. While the term can describe various images linked to an application, in practice it is most closely linked to icons used for launching the software.

Design considerations

Effective sovelluskuva uses simple shapes and a clear focal point. It should work across different backgrounds, remain distinct in monochrome or reduced color environments, and avoid excessive detail that loses legibility at small scales. Color choices typically reinforce branding while maintaining contrast for visibility and accessibility. Designers often create multiple variants for different platforms and contexts, including both square icons with rounded corners and scalable vector representations.

Formats and sizes

Icons and related images are usually provided in vector (SVG) and raster (PNG) formats. A set of sizes is common to accommodate desktop, mobile, and store listings, with higher-resolution assets for modern displays and a separate marketing image for app stores. Platform guidelines vary, so developers follow specific recommendations (for example, launcher icons versus store icons) to ensure proper rendering and branding consistency.

See also

Icon, branding assets, user interface design, platform guidelines.