flatimage

Flatimage is a term used in graphic design and computer graphics to describe an image composed primarily of flat, uniform color areas with little or no shading or texture. It overlaps with flat design aesthetics and contrasts with images that use gradients, highlights, or three-dimensional shading.

Common characteristics include solid color blocks, clean edges, and simplified geometry. Flatimages can be created from vector illustrations or raster artwork converted to flat color regions. They are often used for icons, logos, and user interface elements where legibility and scalability are important.

Formats and rendering considerations favor preserving solid colors, making PNG, SVG, or GIF common choices. Some workflows convert detailed artwork into flatcolor assets to improve rendering performance or maintain brand consistency. Subtle tonal differences may be introduced, but the defining trait remains lack of complex shading.

Applications span web and mobile UI design, branding, iconography, and certain styles of game art or infographics. The term is informal and does not correspond to a formal standard or specification. Its usage varies by artists and studios, reflecting the broader influence of flat design trends that emerged in the 2010s.

See also: flat design, flat shading, vector graphics, raster graphics, iconography.