Logic and work-flow were already set for this application when Form and Function was asked to make the symbols relate to DB concepts in general... or at least relate them to the other icons for greater clarity.

Technically, the requirements were simple and had to adhere to Java user guidelines.
The icons each came in the usual four Java UI flavors:
Plain - Focus - Pressed - Active.

Form and Function became something of a Graphics Department resource by default of proximity to the project and activities.

This included marketing material creation and such assets as the Splash Screen product ID.