A guide shape, such as a square, circle, or rounded rectangle, that sets the maximum area an icon can fill. Designers keep each icon inside the same keyline so a set feels evenly sized.
Synonyms
- keyline shape
- live area
Related terms
In plain words
- the outline that shows how big an icon can be
- the boundary shape for an icon
Usage example
A wide icon fills the horizontal keyline while a tall icon fills the vertical one, so both feel the same size.
Don't confuse with…
- bounding boxA keyline is a chosen guide shape icons are designed to fit; the bounding box is simply the tight rectangle around the final artwork.
Categories
- Iconography