How do I make an icon for my app?

[Scott Ferguson]

Android Developers recommends that your icon be 48x48 px and have transparency.

What is image transparency? See this explanation: http://webclipart.about.com/cs/msubmenu15/g/tran.htm

You might want to just use an existing icon by specifying the size and type with Google Images: This link searches for 'icon' with size 48x48 in the 'clipart' category

-OR-

You may want to make an icon for your app.

You will need an image editor.

Windows paint will do, but it does not support transparency.

There are many free image editors available.

I use GIMP http://www.gimp.org/ so I will demonstrate how to create an icon using it.

I have loaded an image of a bat that is used in my game called 'Flappy Bat!' -- yes it is a 'me too' of Flappy Bird :)

It is 275x140px in size and I need it to be 48x48px

The longest side will need to be set to 48px but I need to keep the aspect ratio constant so the image is not squeezed horizontally.

I do that by using Image, Scale Image...

Since the image is wider than tall, I set the Width to 48.

Note the chain to the right is connected that means that the height will adjust to the new width so the image is not stretched or squeezed.

Next I need to make the image height 48px as well.

To do that I use Image, Canvas Size...

I set the Canvas height to 48px, then center the image in that area by dragging it in the preview window:

The image is now 48x48px.

I now need to remove the white background...

I choose Tools, Selection Tools, Fuzzy Select...

I click the white area around the bat to select it.

Then I choose Edit, Clear from the menu.

The background is now all transparent.

I export the image as a png file.

Here is my 48x48px app icon with transparency:

Now I can add my icon to the app in the Screen Designer:

See also:  How do I add an icon to my app?