Emojis have become an incredibly popular way to express emotions and ideas in digital communication. From happy faces to hand gestures, emojis provide a fun and visual element to texts, emails, social media posts and more. It’s no wonder that many people wonder if they can create their own custom emojis. The quick answer is yes, there are a few different ways you can make your own emojis or emoji-like images. However, there are some technicalities to understand regarding file formats, licensing, and platform requirements.
What are Emojis?
To understand how to make your own emojis, it helps to first understand exactly what emojis are from a technical perspective. Emojis are essentially small digital images or icons used to express an idea or emotion in electronic communication. The word “emoji” comes from the Japanese words “e” (picture) and “moji” (character).
Emojis originated in the late 1990s in Japan for use in mobile phone messaging. The first emoji set contained 176 12×12 pixel images and was created by Japanese artist Shigetaka Kurita. Emojis grew in popularity internationally when they were incorporated into the Unicode standard, allowing the images to be used across different platforms and operating systems.
On a technical level, emojis are encoded into Unicode, the computing coding standard that supports consistent encoding and representation of text across platforms and languages. Individual emojis are assigned a unique Unicode value and stored in the Unicode character database. For example, the “grinning face” emoji is assigned the code point U+1F600. When this code point is detected, it will display the corresponding emoji image on devices that support Unicode emoji fonts.
Major platforms like iOS, Android, Windows, Twitter and others have their own proprietary emoji fonts and designs. But the Unicode standard allows the emoji to render properly across these platforms while displaying the intended image and meaning.
Emoji Image File Formats
Emojis may seem like simple little images, but there are some specific technical requirements regarding file formats and sizes for emojis and emoji-like images. Here are the key details:
– PNG (Portable Network Graphics): The PNG format is the most common format for emoji image files. PNGs provide lossless compression and support transparency. Most emoji sets use small PNG files at sizes of 128×128 pixels or smaller.
– SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): SVG files store images using vectors rather than raster images. This allows SVGs to be scaled to any size without losing quality. Some emoji sets utilize SVG for scalability.
– GIF: GIFs can be used for emoji-like animated images. However, the GIF format is limited to 256 colors and does not support transparency.
– JPEG: Not recommended for emojis due to lossy compression and lack of transparency.
– File size: To ensure crisp, clean rendering on high resolution screens, emoji PNG images should be limited to 128×128 pixels or smaller. The file size is generally 5-15kb maximum.
– Color mode: RGB color mode is recommended for emoji PNG images. Indexed color or greyscale is not recommended as it reduces image quality.
– Transparency: PNG images should use transparency rather than a rectangular background color. This allows the emoji to render properly on any color background.
So in summary, small PNG images at 128×128 pixels or less with RGB color and transparency provide the best results for emoji and emoji-like graphics.
Design Considerations
When creating your own emojis, there are some key design principles to keep in mind:
– Simplicity: The most effective emojis use simple, recognizable shapes and symbols. Complex designs are harder to discern at emoji sizes.
– Distinct shapes: Use bold shapes, well-defined outlines, and flattened perspectives so the emoji is identifiable at a small size.
– Limit details: Don’t overload the design with excessive details that may get lost or muddy at smaller sizes.
– Meaningful designs: Choose imagery that clearly communicates the intended meaning or emotion.
– Facial expressions: For face emojis, exaggerated facial expressions work better than subtle expressions.
– Color: Use color thoughtfully to enhance the image, but don’t rely on it alone to convey meaning. Keep in mind that grayscale conversion may be used.
– Consistency: Design emojis in a consistent style that align with existing emoji aesthetics. This helps with intuitive recognition.
By following these best practices, you can create emoji designs that are distinctive, expressive, and easy to decipher across various screens and platforms.
Make Emojis with Online Tools
One of the easiest ways to make your own custom emojis is using free online emoji or icon creation tools. These tools allow you to easily create emoji-like images without needing design experience or image editing software. Here are some top options:
Emoji Maker
Emoji Maker from Fotor is a straightforward emoji creation tool you can use right in your web browser. It provides a range of shapes, facial features, accessories, clothing, and color options you can mix and match to build your emoji. Once created, you can download your emoji as a PNG image to use as you please.
Bitmoji
Bitmoji allows you to create a personalized avatar emoji based on your own facial features. You can customize skin tone, hair color, facial hair, clothes, accessories and more. Bitmoji integrates with mobile keyboards so you can insert your avatar emoji into chats and social media. You can also download your personalized emoji as a sticker pack to use in other apps.
Emoji Me Face Maker
Emoji Me Face Maker lets you transform a selfie into an emoji-style avatar. Upload a facial photo and the tool will detect face features and convert into an emoji applying various filters and effects. You can add frames, stickers and text as well. Your emoji can be shared on various messaging platforms or downloaded.
Sticker Maker
Sticker Maker for WhatsApp, Telegram & Signal is a mobile app that lets you create custom emoji stickers by uploading images or adding text, shapes, emojis, filters, and more. Once created, sticker packs can be added right to your keyboard to access always.
Design Emojis with Illustration Software
For more advanced emoji design with full creative control, you can use digital illustration software like Adobe Illustrator or Affinity Designer. These tools allow you to create vector artwork that can be scaled cleanly to any size.
The process involves:
– Starting with simple shapes like circles, squares and lines to form the foundation of your emoji.
– Adding details with shapes, curves and fills. Vary strokes to show edges and details.
– Applying solid fills rather than gradients, shadows or effects that may not render well at small sizes.
– Organizing layers, groups and artboards to design variations and manage versions.
– Exporting your emoji designs as transparent PNGs at the optimal sizes.
The benefit of creating vector emoji artwork is the ability to export crisp, clean emoji files perfectly sized for any application. However, there is a learning curve to using Illustration software effectively.
Find an Emoji Designer
If you don’t have the time or artistic skills to create custom emojis yourself, you can always hire a freelance emoji designer. Sites like Fiverr and Upwork offer experienced illustrators and graphic designers for hire for emoji design projects.
When hiring an emoji designer, be sure to provide:
– Detailed descriptions of the emojis you want designed and what they will represent.
– Technical specifications – what platforms do you need the emojis for, what file formats, desired image sizes, etc.
– Reference images or artwork examples to indicate the visual style you want.
– Areasonable timeline and budget. Custom emoji design starts around $50 per emoji and increases for rush orders or commercial use licensing.
Taking the time to find an experienced emoji designer can pay off with a high quality set of custom emojis perfectly suited to your needs.
Register Custom Emojis on Emojipedia
Once you’ve created a set of custom emojis, you may want to consider submitting them for inclusion in Emojipedia. Emojipedia serves as a directory of officially recognized emojis and also documents custom emojis created by various organizations and companies.
Having your custom emojis listed on Emojipedia makes them more discoverable and legitimizes them as emojis. It also helps document their meaning and usage.
The process involves:
– Filling out the Emoji Registration form with details on each emoji such as title, description, meaning, and license info.
– Submitting a ZIP file with PNG images for each emoji.
– Allowing 30-90 days for evaluation by Emojipedia editors.
Emojipedia will evaluate if the emojis are sufficiently distinctive, well-designed for small sizes, and appropriate for general use. If accepted, your custom emojis will join the thousands documented in their directory!
Add Emojis to your Keyboard
To make your custom emojis readily accessible for everyday conversations, you’ll want to add them to your digital keyboard on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. This allows you to select them alongside standard emojis in any messaging app or platform.
The process varies by device and operating system. Here’s how to add custom emojis to keyboards on popular platforms:
iPhone/iPad (iOS)
– Design emoji images in PNG format, 128×128 pixels or smaller.
– Use Apple’s Shortcuts app to import emojis and create a custom keyboard.
– Enable the keyboard in Settings > General > Keyboard.
– Access the custom keyboard in any app by tapping the globe key.
Android
– Create PNG emoji files 128×128 pixels or smaller.
– Download Gboard app and enable Custom Stickers.
– Import emojis to Gboard and they will sync across Android devices.
– Enable Gboard as your keyboard and access custom emojis.
Windows
– Design emojis as PNG files up to 320×320 pixels.
– Save files in a folder and right-click to Install as Stickers.
– In supported apps like Microsoft Teams, click Stickers icon to access custom emojis.
Mac
– Create 128×128 PNG emoji files.
– Double click each file and it will be added to the Emoji keyboard.
– Switch keyboard to Emoji to access custom designs.
Linux
– Add a custom ibus engine to input custom emojis like text.
– Place emojis in folder, define JSON mapping file.
– Launch ibus engine to surface emojis as you type codes.
Add Emojis to Apps and Services
In addition to loading emojis onto your personal device keyboards, some apps and services provide options for uploading custom emoji sets that users on those platforms can access.
For example:
– Slack – Admins can add custom emoji packs which users can then browse and search.
– Discord – Server owners can upload custom emojis up to 256kb to make available for users.
– WordPress – Plugins like WP Emoji Custom uplaod allow custom emojis in comments.
– Trello – Users can upload emoji images to use on cards and boards.
– GitHub – Custom emoji packs can be added and used in comments, issues, code etc.
If the app or platform you use frequently engages with emoji reactions, explore their settings or documentation to see if custom emojis can be uploaded and shared.
Use Emojis in Commercial Products
For commercial products and services, custom designed emojis provide a fun way to add visual engagement and personality around a brand. Some examples include:
– Messaging apps creating their own unique emoji sets.
– Brands designing emojis to capture products, logos, or mascots.
– Retailers adding custom emojis to ecommerce sites and emails.
– Publishers using branded emojis for fictional characters.
– Event planners creating event-specific emojis.
If taking this commercial route, ensure you have clear rights to use any imagery in your emoji designs. You will also need to license your emojis under a commercial use policy if they will be distributed publicly.
Legal and Licensing Considerations
Speaking of legal rights, there are some key issues to evaluate regarding ownership and usage rights when creating custom emojis.
– Trademark law – Emoji designs should not use imagery trademarked by other companies without permission.
– Image rights – Any photos/illustrations used in emoji design should be owned by you or used via a proper license.
– Personality rights – Don’t use anyone’s likeness without consent.
– Distribution rights – If you will distribute emojis publicly, include a commercial use license.
– Platform guidelines – Review if any platforms used have restrictions on uploading custom emojis.
Handling the legal aspects properly ensures you have full rights to use and distribute your custom emoji designs and protects from infringement claims. Consulting an attorney is recommended if releasing emojis commercially.
Should You Make Your Own Emojis?
In summary, there are plenty of options for creating custom emojis – from simple online tools up to professional designers and commercial branding opportunities. But should you actually invest the time and effort into making your own emojis? Here are some key pros and cons to help decide:
Pros:
– Adds visual fun and personality to digital communication.
– Helps brands build engagement and identification.
– Allows full control over the emoji designs.
– Provides differentiated emojis not available elsewhere.
Cons:
– Requires technical skill and artistic ability to design quality emojis.
– Can be costly and time consuming for custom emoji creation.
– Limited compatibility – may only work on certain platforms.
– Legal risks if trademark or licensing issues exist.
If you want to spice up how you communicate online, and are willing to tackle the technical and legal considerations, creating custom emojis can be a rewarding project. But also know that standard emojis continue to evolve and expand, so you may be able to find suitable options without designing your own.
Conclusion
Emojis have evolved from their basic beginnings over two decades ago to become a nearly universal language online. Their appeal makes it enticing to create your own emojis for personal use or commercial benefit. With the right technical know-how and attention to design principles and legal issues, you can develop great custom emojis tailored exactly the way you like. Just keep file size, image format, platform compatibility and licensing in mind as you turn faces, hand gestures or anything else into your own special emojis.