World Emoji Day · The Marketing Calendar

World Emoji Day

Try telling a story or sending a text using just emojis, and see how much you can communicate through these expressive little pictographs.

Marketing angleinferred

Leverage emoji storytelling to create viral, low-friction social content that resonates with digital-native audiences and drives engagement across platforms.

Relevance 62medium intent

Challenge followers to tell your brand story using only emojis
Launch emoji-themed product customization or limited-edition designs
Partner with creators to decode emoji-only product announcements or teasers
Host emoji translation contests or games to boost user-generated content

History

Emoji day was put together as a celebration of the emoji, a textual expression of emotion that came about in the old days of Japanese mobile phones. From there, these pictographic displays of emotion exploded into worldwide use.

The word “Emoji” is derived from the Japanese words e (for picture) and moji (for character), apparently the seeming connection to the words emotion and emoticon are purely incidental!

Companies like NTT DoCoMo, au, and Vodafone first created the graphical characters (though Vodafone was Softbank Mobile at the time).

Eventually, in 2000, a library of over 1000 smiley graphics were released into the world, and ever since then it has been continuously enhanced. Now emoji’s can be found on every imaginable device, and in an ever growing list of styles themes, and characters.

Expressing yourself has never been easier! The date of Emoji Day honors the date shown on the iOS Calendar Emoji, it even has an anthem! (Check it out on YouTube, it’s actually pretty catchy!) It’s funny, isn’t it, how the history goes around in circles?

Long ago the world used to communicate in images, before alphabetic languages were developed, and now in the modern age we’re back to using them again!

Of course, now they’re a lot more technologically advanced and move on their own, but they’re still an amazing way of sharing how you feel and making people laugh.

FAQ

How did the original emojis look compared to today’s versions?

The first emojis created by Shigetaka Kurita in 1999 were simple 12×12 pixel designs. They included basic expressions like a smiley face and weather symbols. Today’s emojis are colorful, detailed, and even animated, reflecting advances in technology and diverse cultural input.

What is an unusual use of emojis in official communication?

Emojis are increasingly used in courts as evidence to interpret tone and intent in text-based communication. Lawyers and judges analyze how emojis modify the meaning of messages in legal cases. This has sparked discussions on whether emojis should have their own legal definitions.

Have emojis inspired any unique artistic projects?

Artists worldwide have reimagined emojis in creative ways. For instance, Yung Jake, a digital artist, creates celebrity portraits entirely from emojis. Exhibitions have also showcased emojis as cultural artifacts, exploring their evolution and societal impact.

Why do some emojis have different appearances across platforms?

Emojis are standardized by Unicode, but platforms like Apple, Google, and Samsung design their own versions. A simple smiley can look playful on one platform and formal on another. This can lead to misinterpretations in cross-platform communication.

What was the first emoji movie, and how was it received?

“The Emoji Movie” premiered in 2017, bringing emojis to the big screen. Despite its creative premise, it received mixed reviews for its plot. However, it sparked discussions about how emojis influence modern storytelling.

How do emojis impact language and literacy?

Emojis enhance communication by adding emotional context to text, but they also spark debates about language. Some argue they simplify expression, while others see them as a new form of visual storytelling. Studies show emojis can even improve comprehension for visual learners.

Are there any emojis that carry unintended meanings?

Many emojis gain unexpected meanings in online culture. For example, the peach emoji 🍑, intended to represent the fruit, is often used to symbolize a backside. These reinterpretations can vary widely between cultures and communities.

How do new emojis get created?

Anyone can propose a new emoji to the Unicode Consortium. Successful proposals often include data on the emoji’s potential usage and cultural importance. For instance, the recent addition of interracial couple emojis came after years of advocacy.

What role do emojis play in activism?

Activists use emojis to amplify messages on social media. The raised fist emoji ✊, for example, is frequently used to represent solidarity in social justice movements. Emoji campaigns can spark global conversations and unite people across borders.

Are there any emojis that have been removed or replaced?

Yes, some emojis have been retired or redesigned due to controversies or low usage. For instance, the gun emoji was replaced with a water pistol on several platforms to promote non-violence. These changes reflect evolving cultural values and sensitivities.