I think the orange square reminds me of......Nothing! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepey.gif" alt="" /> specially not a new notice, not like an open scroll or a letter and pen , or what about glowing easter eggs instead of light bulbs then!!
That is what a legend is for, and don’t forget the other two icons that are not lamps but a simple plus “+” because opening a category changes it into a minus “-“.
The new icons are only 13 x 13 pixels for size consistency and the colours are chosen also to be consistent.
A flashing GIF is more obvious for sure, but it could be eye-straining as well.
In many cases, simple is best, and the issue I raised was concerning “a plead” for increasing identification by other than white/ yellow discrimination. Changing shape would do it, and using high contrasting colours would also do it. Remember that the objective is to express “existing/ present” versus “not existing/ absent”.
A square black frame filled with any colour should qualify for existing new messages, when this colour give way to the background it qualifies for no new messages.
Simple is best. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />
