How Are Emojis Made?

What do a slide, heart hands, and a troll have in common? They’re part of the newest set of more than 100 emojis.

These emojis will soon join thousands of others. Emojis are shared billions of times each day. But have you ever wondered where these colorful symbols come from?

A group called the Unicode Consortium oversees the creation of all new emojis. It is made up mostly of technology companies like Apple and Google. Each year, the group reviews ideas for new emojis.

“A lot of effort is going on behind the scenes to make sure they are as useful as possible,” says Keith Broni. He works for Emojipedia, an online emoji encyclopedia.

But the ideas for emojis don’t have to come from tech wizards at big companies. Anyone can submit one—including you.

“There’s nothing stopping a 10-, 11-, or 12-year-old from putting forward a proposal,” Broni explains.

Still, new emojis must meet several criteria, or standards. Here are some tips to help you come up with a winning idea.  

What do a slide, heart hands, and a troll have in common? They’re all new emojis.

About 100 new emojis will soon join thousands of others. Emojis are shared billions of times each day. But have you ever wondered where they come from?

A group called the Unicode Consortium is in charge of new emojis. It is made up mostly of technology companies like Apple and Google. Each year, the group reviews ideas for new emojis.

“A lot of effort is going on behind the scenes to make sure they are as useful as possible,” says Keith Broni. He works for Emojipedia, an online emoji encyclopedia.

But ideas for emojis don’t have to come from tech wizards. Anyone can share one—including you.

“There’s nothing stopping a 10-, 11-, or 12-year-old from putting forward a proposal,” Broni explains.

Still, new emojis must meet several guidelines. Here are some tips.  

Emojis are the first truly universal language. Symbols should be as useful and easy to understand to people in other countries as they are in the U.S.

Emojis are a universal language. Symbols should be useful and easy to understand to people all over the world.

Unicode doesn’t create emojis of real people, fictional characters, or specific buildings—even ones from books or movies. Brands and company logos are also out. That’s why there are no official emojis of Abraham Lincoln, Hogwarts, or the Nike swoosh.

Unicode doesn’t create emojis of real people, fictional characters, or specific buildings—even ones from books or movies. Brands and company logos are also out. There are no official emojis of Abraham Lincoln, Hogwarts, or the Nike swoosh.

There are already more than 3,600 emojis, so yours has to be different enough to stand out. Also, many concepts can already be represented by one or more emojis. For example, there’s no need for a handwashing emoji. That can be represented with the emojis for water droplets, soap, and hands. 💧 🧼 👐

There are already more than 3,600 emojis. Yours has to be different to stand out. Also, many ideas can already be shown by one or more emojis. For example, there’s no need for a handwashing emoji. That can be shown with the emojis for water droplets, soap, and hands. 💧 🧼 👐

Think about the people and cultures that aren’t represented by emojis. In recent years, Unicode has worked to make new symbols more inclusive.

In 2015, emojis became available in a range of skin colors. Two years later, Unicode approved an emoji showing a woman wearing a hijab, or head scarf. 🧕  In 2019, the first emojis that represent people with disabilities were released. 👨‍🦽

Think about the people and cultures that aren’t shown by emojis. Unicode has worked to make new symbols more inclusive.

In 2015, emojis became available in a range of skin colors. Soon, Unicode approved an emoji showing a woman wearing a hijab, or head scarf. 🧕 In 2019, the first emojis that represent people with disabilities were made. 👨‍🦽

It can take up to two years to learn whether an idea has been approved. It’ll take another few months to show up on devices.

“You’ve got to be patient because people are going to really think about your idea,” Broni explains. “It’s going to be there forever.”

It can take two years to learn whether an idea has been approved. It’ll take another few months to show up on devices.

“You’ve got to be patient because people are going to really think about your idea,” Broni explains. “It’s going to be there forever.”