We imagine the fish icon as a compact, recognisable visual identity that functions similarly to a Flavicon, scaled as small as 32 by 32 pixels. This allows it to be used flexibly across interfaces, including serving as avatars or page markers. The small file size (e.g. a PNG) supports fast loading even when viewing many icons at once, such as in a Federated Wiki environment. The goal is to maintain clarity and distinctiveness so the human eye can easily differentiate each icon, even at small sizes and in large groups.
The design aims for visual coherence across many icons while conveying identity without overwhelming the page. The icons are meant to work as a subtle background layer of information, what we call Ambient Technology, aiding recognition across federated content. Although current implementations use simple colour gradients for variation, this becomes limiting when visual identities start repeating. We seek something more scalable: a larger palette of unique and coherent visual forms that still blend well when displayed together.
To avoid redundancy and enable individual expression, we aim to evolve beyond basic gradients into animated transitions and richer SVG elements that include unique outlines and more detailed colour usage.
These developments will not only enhance individuality but also allow association with user metadata like public keys. Our vision is to encapsulate identification, visual cohesion and technical efficiency into a tiny data footprint, effectively transforming the fish icon into a miniature, animated knowledge asset within the visual system of distributed platforms like the Federated Wiki.