I'm more than happy coding apps. I am, however, rubbish at icon design. I'm sure I'm not the only one for whom this is a problem - and yet all android devs need to create a launcher icon.
Does anyone have any good tips on knocking up simple but effective launcher icons?
Here's what I do: I created a simple square with a shady border and some gradient fill which looks something like this (that's not mine, just something similar):
http://timbunce.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/square-gradient-mask.png
Then I go to OpenClipArt (http://www.openclipart.org/) and get some image that fits for the application and put it on top of the square. That way I can make sure I'm not using copyrighted material while still creating some ok-looking icons.
Your best bet would be to either hire an icon designer, or you can download royalty-free logo's to use as an icon, or you can try and design your own one from some inspiration here:
http://www.cutelittlefactory.com/articles/icon-inspiration-2/
http://abduzeedo.com/amazing-pictograms-and-icons
Lastly Google it.
Use them for inspiration only, don't just blatantly copy them.
// edit:
Take a leaf from the Apple app developers, hire someone professional, it's worth it.
You can try the iconfinder:
You just have to make sure that how you use an icon fits its license
Google provide Icon Design Guidlines document. You can find icon style recomendations by Google there.
Hope it helps to find right icon for your app.
