On World Emoji Day, Google revealed the design details of its new 3D emoji. Previewed at The Android Show in May, all 3.977 characters have been completely redesigned in three dimensions. The company explained that its emoji style has always favored expression over hyper-realism. By moving to 3D, the designs can have dimension without becoming photorealistic. Google humorously noted that emoji need a pulse and a soul, not the cold precision of industrial CAD models. Anatomical perfection is not required; the goal is to capture a playful vibe.
Large-scale user studies to preserve human connection
Google conducted large-scale user studies to evaluate how changing emoji could affect interpersonal communication. The findings revealed universal truths: users value consistency, clarity, and a touch of personality. The design process starts from 2D drawings, and converting them to 3D models required resolving fundamental architectural questions, such as: what does the back of a smiley face look like? Is it a concave mask, a solid bouncy ball, or a flat piece of paper? Each choice was carefully considered to maintain the essence of the emotion.
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An AI tool to ensure contrast in dark mode
One critical issue was contrast for emoji with darker skin tones, which can be hard to see in dark mode. To address this, Google built an AI-powered contrast tool that analyzes each emoji at the pixel level, flags low contrast ratios, and suggests high-contrast solutions implemented by designers. This innovation shows how artificial intelligence can improve accessibility in digital design. The growing role of AI is also evident in other fields, such as China launches a cheap, powerful AI model.
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Availability and open source release
The new Noto Emoji 3D will first launch on Pixel phones later this year, then roll out across all Google products. The entire character set is released as open source 3D models in .OBJ format, allowing developers and designers to use them freely. For more on the history of emoji, see the Wikipedia page on emoji. Google has shown that thoughtful design, backed by technology, can make visual communication more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone.
Source: https://9to5google.com/2026/07/17/google-3d-emoji-design
