Setting program logo in Unity launcher - missing icons folder

Solution 1:

I just created this wiki page :) https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UnityLaunchersAndDesktopFiles

The only program that has icons in ~/.local/share/icons is Wine, so no, a default install shouldn't create the folder.

Most installed programs place their icons in /usr/share/icons, where all users can access them.

I went ahead and created it, and the rest of the folders mentioned in the answer, ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/16x16/ etc.

The icon has to be placed in a folder called ~/.local/share/icons/hicolor/16x16/apps/.

I personally prefer adding icons to launcher by first adding applications to unity dash:

Install Main Menu via Ubuntu Software Center.
Open dash and type "Main Menu".
Open menu editor and add your application to proper category (set name, icon, command etc).
Save and exit.
Open dash again type application name and run it.
Right-click on icon of your application in launcher and check that you want hold it in launcher.

Now you have application in launcher and also in dash :)