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‘With the power of illustration, we can capture the true, playful vibe of a kangaroo’: Google explains the thinking behind its new 3D emojis
Google has given an insight into the design philosophy behind its newly refreshed emoji set, which moves towards a more three-dimensional, illustrative style. A designer working on the project used the kangaroo emoji as an example, explaining that illustration allows the team to convey a character's "true, playful vibe" rather than relying on a flatter, more literal depiction.
The redesign reflects a broader shift in how Google approaches its emoji library, prioritising personality and expressiveness over strict realism. Beyond the kangaroo example, the piece explores how this illustrative approach is intended to make emojis feel warmer and more characterful across Google's platforms, though specific technical or rollout details were not available in the retrieved article text.
In short
- Google explains its new 3D, illustration-led emoji design approach.
- Kangaroo emoji cited as example of capturing "playful vibe".
- Redesign favours character and personality over strict realism.
Explained simply
Emojis are small images used in digital communication to convey emotion and meaning in text messages, social media and other online platforms. Tech companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft each design their own emoji sets, which billions of people use every day.
When designing emojis, companies choose between different approaches. Some favour photorealistic depictions, whilst others use more stylised, illustrative techniques that emphasise character and personality over strict accuracy.
Emojis have become a fundamental part of digital communication, making design philosophy increasingly significant to billions of users worldwide. As these symbols have become essential to conveying tone and feeling, the design choices companies make influence how they are understood and used in daily communication.