A library of icons and photos for inclusive design

The Noun Project is a fantastic library of icons and photos for inclusive design. It’s an open-source library of icons, and recently photos, with a mission to build a global visual language that unites the world. It champions diversity and inclusion with initiatives to build up icons and photos of under represented groups.

How I use it

It’s a well-used tool in my design toolkit, helping me find the right icon, time and time again, for both designs and presentations. I find it useful for translating a concept I want to present visually. For inspiration, I pop words into the search bar and see what icons people have created. Try it out yourself with one I recently searched for, “team.”

It also has handy apps and integrations for many design tools I use:

• Mac app with drag and drop to Sketch, Adobe or Figma

• Google docs and Microsoft add-ons

The story of The Noun Project

The Noun Project launched on Kickstarter in December 2010 and hosted Iconathons to create civic icons for topics like human rights and disaster preparedness.

In 2017, the site focused on championing inclusion with initiatives like Redefining Women, a collection of 60+ icons representing women in design, technology and leadership positions.