# Google open-sources its 3D emoji Shares design process for World Emoji Day - **Source:** [The Verge (theverge.com)](https://www.theverge.com) - **Published:** 2026-07-18 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b68576df-1266-4558-8a2d-30c77d340a71 ## Google's 3D emoji move For World Emoji Day, Google made its 3D emoji designs open source. Users can now incorporate these emojis into their own projects. This initiative aims to boost creativity in digital communication tools. ## Design process insights Google revealed challenges in transitioning from 2D to 3D. Decisions like whether a smile should be a sphere, mask, or flat disc became crucial in 3D design. The design team navigated numerous technical details throughout this process. ## Open source benefits The raw .OBJ files shared by Google enable developers to use these emojis in various projects, from VR worlds to indie apps. This move provides significant value to the open source community. ## Community reactions When first launched in May, the 3D emojis received mixed responses. While some users appreciated the new designs, others preferred traditional 2D versions. It remains to be seen if open-sourcing will soften these reactions. ## Creative use cases Google suggests users could create 'immersive VR worlds' with these emojis. However, the practical implementation remains unclear. As Emoji Movie demonstrated, results might not always meet expectations. ## Future of digital communication This move represents a significant step in the evolution of digital communication tools. By sharing design resources, Google could pave the way for more personalized and creative digital expression in the future. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theverge.com/design/967606/google-open-source-3d-emoji — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._