Tyler Sticka

New TweetDeck Replacement Icons

Along with a handful of great features, TweetDeck 0.25 introduced a new icon. Though unpopular with some users, I believe the design is a step in the right direction. The minimalist treatment of the signature crow now feels connected to the application’s largely typographic, streamlined interface, and the containing shape solves my pet peeve of the icon disappearing against dark backgrounds.

That being said, the bird is still a little faceless for my tastes, lacking a certain element of personality or character. Which is why I’ve updated my previous replacement icons to incorporate the successful elements of the new design. Pick your favorite color (yellow, silver, green, pink, blue, red or classic) and off you go!

Download Now (ZIP, 831kb)

Installation

Windows

1. Extract the ZIP file
2. Find or create a shortcut to the TweetDeck executable
3. Right-click the shortcut and select “properties”
4. In the “Shortcut” tab, choose “change icon”
5. Click “Browse,” and navigate to the “win” directory of the extracted ZIP contents
6. Select the icon you would like to use, and click “Open,” then “OK”
7. Click “OK” or “Apply”

Mac OS X

1. Extract the ZIP file and navigate to the “mac” directory therein
2. Pick which color you’d like to use, and rename that file to “Icon.icns” (note capitalization)
3. Make sure TweetDeck is closed, and locate the TweetDeck application (usually found, appropriately enough, in your Applications directory)
4. Right-click (or option-click) the application and select “Show package contents”
5. Navigate to the “Resources” directory, and drag the “Icon.icns” file you created earlier into it (you may have to input an administrative password to overwrite the default icon)

TweetDeck Replacement Icons

Like many Twitter users, I’m a big fan of the Adobe AIR application TweetDeck, which allows users to manage an overwhelming stream of content through the creation of custom groups. The application icon has never fit particularly well on my desktop, so I designed a new one.

I love TweetDeck’s default noir-ish black theme, but the black icon often “sunk” into the icon or taskbar (especially for Vista users). The new icon takes many value cues from the application itself, but in a counter shape forgiving of varying desktops and themes. And since users are allowed to skin the interface with their own custom colors, why not include a few different flavors as well?

If you’d like to use these icons yourself, you can download the ZIP file (579kb) containing all six colors in ICO, ICNS and PNG formats. Enjoy!

Update (4/11): There’s an updated set of TweetDeck icons designed to be more in line with the application’s current aesthetic.