Emojis have become essential to digital communication, helping users visually express emotions, ideas, and cultural symbols. But have you ever wondered how new emojis are created? New emojis are introduced every year, reflecting societal changes, inclusivity, and technological advancements. From submission to approval and design, the process of adding a new emoji to our keyboards is more complex than you might think. In this blog, we take you behind the scenes to explore how new emojis are created.
Who Decides on New Emojis?
The Unicode Consortium, a non-profit organization that oversees global text standards, is responsible for approving new emojis. This group consists of major tech companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, and others that ensure consistency across different platforms.
While Unicode sets the standards, the public plays a crucial role in proposing new emojis. Users can submit suggestions, and Unicode considers factors like popularity, cultural relevance, and potential usage before approving a new emoji.
The Emoji Proposal Process
Anyone can propose a new emoji, but it’s not as simple as suggesting an idea. Unicode has specific guidelines for proposals, which must include:
- A detailed description of the emoji and its meaning
- Evidence of demand and potential usage frequency
- Possible search trends or existing representations in digital communication
- How the emoji fills a gap in the current emoji set
For example, emojis representing different skin tones, gender inclusivity, and cultural foods have been added due to strong public demand and well-crafted proposals.
Design and Development of Emojis
Once an emoji is approved, it moves to the design stage. Unlike letters and numbers, emojis don’t have a fixed appearance. Instead, companies like Apple, Google, Samsung, and Microsoft create their own versions based on Unicode’s guidelines.
During the design phase:
- Artists create sketches and refine the design to make it visually recognizable.
- Accessibility factors are considered to ensure clarity across all devices.
- Companies maintain a unique visual style while keeping the emoji consistent in meaning.
That’s why an emoji might look slightly different on an iPhone compared to an Android device!
Unicode Encoding and Implementation
After designing, the new emoji is assigned a unique Unicode code, allowing it to be recognized across different systems. However, users can’t access it immediately. Tech companies must update their operating systems, apps, and devices to include the new emoji.
The rollout process includes:
- Unicode adding the emoji to its official list
- Operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows) integrating it into software updates
- Social media platforms (WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter) adopting the new emoji
This process can take months, which is why new emojis are usually released in batches rather than individually.
The Impact of New Emojis
New emojis often reflect social and cultural changes. For example:
- The gender-neutral emoji set helped promote inclusivity.
- The “Face with Mask” emoji 😷 became widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The interracial couple emoji was introduced to represent diverse relationships.
Sometimes, new emojis spark debates, such as the redesign of the peach emoji 🍑, which some users thought looked less like a fruit and more like something else!
Conclusion
The process of creating new emojis is a fascinating blend of technology, culture, and community feedback. Every emoji we use has gone through a detailed proposal, approval, and design process before appearing on our screens.
Looking ahead, we can expect even more diverse and inclusive emojis as the digital world evolves. If you have an idea for an emoji, why not submit a proposal? You could shape the future of digital communication! And if you’re searching for the latest emojis to enhance your chats, check out our free emoji download collection to access a wide variety of expressive icons. 🚀