The Twemoji design system was developed in collaboration with Twitter to create a cohesive and expressive emoji library. Over 18 months, more than 5,000 icons were redesigned with attention to color, form, and accessibility. Each emoji was hand-painted using a three-quarter angle to add depth and character, resulting in a vibrant visual system that enhances communication and reflects the diversity of users worldwide.
The system was designed from the ground up to emphasize expressiveness, inclusivity, and diversity, reflecting a wide range of skin tones, hair textures, and cultural representation.
The Twemoji redesign aimed to capture Twitter’s bold and expressive personality while improving visual clarity. The system was built for flexibility, ensuring each emoji maintained detail and impact across all scales, from large displays to small icons.
To manage the large-scale production of Twemoji assets, a custom tracking system was developed with BUCK’s creative technologists. The internal and client-facing tool streamlined feedback and progress tracking across thousands of designs, ensuring an efficient and organized workflow.
and with animated reactions that bring each emoji to life and enhance their expressiveness.
In addition, Twemoji was developed as a sticker pack that allows users to combine emojis in creative ways to express a wide range of emotions and situations.
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Team: Alex dos Santos, Ben Langsfeld, Dae-Han Yi, Stevie Watkins — Studio: Buck