When you need to guide the eye, arrows lead the way! Learn all about arrows in graphic design—what they symbolize, how to use them, and more!
If the goal of graphic design is to communicate visually, few elements are as effective as the humble arrow. Exceedingly simple to create and universally understood, arrows are one of the most versatile tools in your graphic design toolkit.
Let’s take a look at this classic symbol—not just in theory, but in practice! Find out how to use arrows for maximum visual impact and how to avoid common mistakes with this timeless shape.
What Are Arrows in Graphic Design?
We instinctively understand what an arrow is, despite the fact that there are hundreds of variations in size, shape, and visual style.
The most common representation of an arrow is a solid line with a triangular head at one end, but that’s not the only way to draw an arrow.
Interestingly, not all arrows have to be true arrows when it comes to graphic design. In terms of effective visual communication, we could really call anything an arrow if it serves the core purpose of directing attention.
For instance, add one of these characters to a specific spot in a document, PowerPoint slide deck, or flyer, and—voila—all of a sudden the pencil is your arrow!
What Do Arrows Symbolize?
Graphic arrows are common across cultures not just because they’re easy to draw, but because they symbolize concepts that are universal to the human experience:
- Movement
- Energy
- Forward motion
- Progress
- Time
- Change
- Cause and effect
- Directionality
- Choice
- Growth
Some of these interpretations are quite literal (as in, “Go this way!” or “Move over there”), while others are more abstract or even spiritual, indicating a broad transformation toward some kind of future state.
The near-universal symbolism of arrows is one reason why they’re such a great foundation for logo design. Think FedEx (have you ever noticed the white-space arrow between the E and the x?) or Amazon (with the smiley-looking arrow moving from A to Z).
Fun fact: The arrow shape as we know it comes from the traditional archer’s arrow, but the earliest known use of illustrations for directional purposes wasn’t an arrow at all! It was actually a foot—pointing the way toward an ancient brothel, no less.
*License the arrows in this section via Bettermind Graphic.
5 Ways to Use Arrows More Effectively
Arrows pack a ton of information into one tiny symbol, and there are many different ways to leverage this symbol for better visual communication. Here are the top five.
1. Add Arrows to Guide the Eye
This is perhaps the most fundamental use of arrows in graphic design: to call the viewer’s attention to a specific part of the design.
You might want to highlight a particularly important heading, for instance, or draw the eye toward a certain call-to-action that might otherwise be skipped over.
Pro tip: Don’t be overzealous with directional arrows. Less is definitely more, or else the viewer might become overwhelmed by the competing directions and just give up altogether.
2. Substitute Text with Arrows
Because arrows signify transformation from one state to another, they’re a great tool for simplifying text without losing meaning.
Rather than write out a whole paragraph, create a quick visual consisting of one word and an arrow pointing to another word. Or skip the body text altogether and use arrows to create a whole flowchart or infographic!
Pro tip: Throwing a few arrows onto a design won’t make up for poor visual hierarchy. Arrows work best when they complement the natural flow established through spacing, alignment, and typography.
3. Use Decorative Arrows
While a singular arrow tends to convey a specific meaning (e.g. change or the passing of time), multiple arrows can be brought together to create a more decorative element.
Arrow patterns, for example, often convey a sense of vibrance, energy, or motion. Arrows can also be combined with other line elements for a fun, playful look.
Pro tip: Because we’re so conditioned to follow arrows with our eyes, they can easily become distracting. Make sure that any decorative arrows are either pointing in a helpful direction or are subtle enough not to interfere with the rest of the design.
4. Get Creative with Your Arrows
As mentioned above, not all arrows have to be arrows in the strictest sense of the word. Try playing around with simple triangles, fingers pointing, or other shapes that naturally guide the eye.
Even if you stick with the traditional arrow shape, you can still play around with the style to achieve different effects! A rough brushline arrow can look cool and grunge, for example, while a clean dotted line arrow may come across more professional and minimal.
Pro tip: For the best results, always look for arrows that match your brand identity in terms of color, mood, and overall aesthetic. If you need some inspiration or downloadable assets, Shutterstock has millions and millions of arrows to choose from.
5. Communicate Interactivity with Arrows
As the world moves more and more digital, arrow design has taken on an additional layer of meaning: interactivity.
In user interface (UI) design, arrows may look like traditional arrows, simplified triangles, or chevrons. These directional elements are used to indicate the possibility of various actions, like:
- Clicking a link
- Refreshing a page
- Opening a page in a new tab
- Cycling through items in a slider or carousel
- Expanding or collapsing content within an accordion
- Going forward or backward in a set of stepped pages
- Scrolling up, down, or side to side
- Pinching or spreading fingers to zoom in or out
Pro tip: If you’re using arrows in an app interface or website design, it’s best not to get creative. Instead, choose arrows that adhere to common UI design principles so that users know exactly what to expect from any gesture or click they make.
Arrows for Graphic Design: Inspiration & Examples
Curious what arrows can look like? Here’s a selection from the Shutterstock library!
Archer Arrows
Hand-Drawn Arrows
Illustrative Arrows
Minimalist Arrows
Ribbon Arrows
Arrows for Infographics
Photographic Arrows
Arrow Patterns
Doodly Arrows
Add Directionality and Style to Your Designs
The bottom line? Arrows are a multifaceted element that can work for any brand asset and communicate any brand voice. And with Shutterstock’s flexible subscription plans, you can find all the arrows you need—no matter what you’re designing.
Get all-in-one access to millions of arrows (and other creative assets), along with the FLEXibility you need to select the right mix every time.
License this cover image via Fernanda Cohen and Bibadash.
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