Icon for adding/removing from favourites: indicating state vs. action
Lets say that we have a mobile app that allows users to search for favourite artist and follow add them to their favourites. While searching for new artists, probably some of them are already to the favourites list.
The picture above has two examples.
- The stars on the left suggest about the state of the artist: is it currently added to the favourites or not.
- The x and + imply the action what will happen when the icon is tapped: the artist will be either removed or added.
If we use only icons without text, which should be the main focus of the icon: state or action? Also would it be better to have a different design (show or hide icons) for favourite list (everything is already added) and to the search list (most of the items are not added to favourites)?