The Noun Project's Success: How They Attract and Grow Their Iconic Community

I am a professional icon designer who has been contributing to The Noun Project since the early to late 2010s. Currently, I serve as the Head of Content for a rival icon site, which has given me insights into how successful platforms attract and retain contributors. Here, I share how The Noun Project (TNP) initially attracted me, and the strategies I use to attract new contributors to Iconfinder, a competitor of TNP.

My Journey with The Noun Project

My introduction to The Noun Project came through social media. What initially drew me in was the potential for building exposure for my budding icon design business. I had been designing icons for personal amusement for over two decades but had never sold any stock icons. My primary profession has always been as a software developer and solutions architect.

I started uploading icons to The Noun Project with the intention of driving traffic to my own site. This was before TNP introduced commercial and subscription options that allowed users to pay for individual downloads and opt-out of the Creative Commons license. Most designers, if not all, discover The Noun Project through social media and SEO. They upload icons for exposure and, in many cases, the potential to make a passive income.

Attracting Contributors to Iconfinder

There is a significant overlap in the membership between TNP and Iconfinder. Many designers upload their work to both sites, often starting out as consumers on Iconfinder and then contributing as well. The techniques I use to attract contributors are not gimmicks but rather a combination of time-honored marketing practices and a genuine passion for icons and the design community.

Traditional Marketing Strategies

First and foremost, I maintain a strong social media presence and run a blog. These platforms help me engage with the design community and generate interest in Iconfinder. Regularly posting and sharing content related to icons and design can often lead to increased visibility and higher contributor numbers.

Building a Sense of Community

Another critical strategy is building a sense of community among icon designers. This is often achieved through events like our inaugural Icon Salon conference held in Amsterdam in October 2015. These events bring designers together, fostering connections and sparking creativity. By hosting such events, we not only attract new contributors but also retain the loyalty of existing ones.

Building Personal Relationships

One of my favorite approaches is building personal relationships with designers. I believe in the power of a hard-nosed, no-pressure approach. Before discussing Iconfinder, I always ask for permission to chat about the site. I am upfront about my motives, and even if a designer chooses not to sell on Iconfinder, I enjoy getting to know them.

A significant portion of my time is spent on platforms like Dribbble, Pinterest, and Behance, where I actively engage with designers. I go beyond just adding them to my network; I offer assistance, constructive feedback, and even one-on-one design instruction to younger designers. This approach ensures that designers see Iconfinder not just as a marketplace but as a supportive community.

Striving to Be a Resource

Another key aspect of my role is reviewing all new content contributed to Iconfinder. Rather than rejecting work that isn't up to par, I offer to help refine the design. This approach has led to some designers learning from me and others benefiting from my feedback and guidance. I genuinely care about the quality of icons uploaded to the site and strive to make Iconfinder a destination of excellence in the design community.

My methods may be time-consuming, but they come from a place of passion and a genuine desire to support the design industry. I hope that my efforts help build a stronger, more loyal community of designers who feel valued and supported by Iconfinder.