The Importance of Having Icons

[kerravonsen]

The question I've been wondering... now, I have a free account, so I only have three icons, but if I were to get a paid account -- with its fifteen, isn't it? -- what is the best use of Iconage? The most effective/efficient? What kind of things are best placed in those slots? I mean, people tend to use them as mood icons, or topic icons or just I-like-this-actor icons, but...

To take my current three icons, I use my default Avon/Cally icon most of the time. It's default, and it's basically a "this is me" icon. Then there's my Jim-and-Blair icon, which has the word "buddies" on it, which I tend to use when friendship-related stuff comes up. And then the Methos icon tends to get used (a) when Methos is mentioned (b) when historical/mythological things are mentioned (c) just when I feel like it, because it's a cool icon.

So, how do you use your icons? And how does one get the most bang-for-your-buck in icon usage? For example, since I use the Avon/Cally for a "this is me" icon, it would, perhaps, be redundant to have another "this is me" icon, because then I'd have to worry about which one to use.
On the other hand, I really like astrogirl2's "Go You!" icon because it's such an encouraging thing to see, and is used in congratulatory posts. So, what are your most useful icons?

Comments

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I didn't set mine up that way but sometimes I wish I had. I just found pictures of Vila I liked and could add fun Vilaesque captions to. Some of them lend themselves to moods but others don't; in fact I hope people don't think they're always being used in that way because they're often not. I'm loath to get rid of any though as I'm fond of them.

Other people just use icons they think are attractive or clever, not representative of any mood. Some of the most beautiful I've seen are quite abstract.

I dunno; I'd say go with what you prefer.

[kerravonsen]

I'd say go with what you prefer.
Hmm, yes, but I'm trying to figure that out...

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

I use my 'crisis' icon to represent myself, or a quandary, or a crisis. And probably what I like best about that one is its uniqueness, its non-fannishness, oddly enough. I sometimes use the 'Spike mafia' icon from rahirah for Spikey or BtVS stuff, especially if it's opinionated. I use 'hugsnape' to be cheerful, or silly, or sad, or affectionate. And I used to use my 'Heart' icon for friendship or creative things - now that I have more space, I should upload that one again.

I enjoy seeing user icons for mood/topic, which seems silly when there are mood icons, no? But they are just an extra little layer of communication; they really say something about the user. Someday I will get around to making some more.

[kerravonsen]

I enjoy seeing user icons for mood/topic, which seems silly when there are mood icons, no?
Not quite so silly, because mood icons can only be used for posts, they can't be used for comments.

[mistraltoes.livejournal.com]

You are quite right; it had escaped my remembrance.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_finn_/]

I use this one a lot...

It just says it all, PussInBoots style...

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's adorable. The whole cinema went "Awwww" when he did that. My cats know the effect too and do something similar when begging to be cuddled.

Yeah, being limited by three icons is a drag...

[reveilles.livejournal.com]

But I've ended up using my three as a sort of category-tag.

1. My baby squirrel is my default, mostly because it's cute, generic, and I drew it myself, so it says "This is me."

2. I use my Darcy icon for romantic/wedding/fiance-related posts. Just because.

3. I use my Igmoe the Iguana (owned by author Jeanne Cavelos) for when I think I'm posting something thoughtful or contemplative, because his pose strikes me as rather sage and intelligent, noble and wise. But it's got a silly undercurrent, because I know his real story: he's a little iguana that was trying to hump his owner's leg. So. For me it's an attempt at sageness with a realization that it's basically kinda silly. :)