Google is open-sourcing its 3D emoji

From Flat Pixels to 3D Models

Google’s move to open-source its Noto Emoji 3D set marks a significant shift in how the company manages its visual language. While the project began as a standard 2D illustration library, the transition to 3D forced designers to address structural questions that do not exist in flat design—specifically regarding the depth and “back” of an object. As Google’s design team noted, the team had to determine if icons like a smiley face should be treated as a concave mask, a solid bouncy ball or a flat piece of paper.

The redesign covers 3,977 characters, aiming to provide physical and emotional depth to digital communication. This design philosophy emphasizes expression over photorealism, ensuring that while the icons possess dimension, they remain recognizable and playful.

Research-Backed Design Decisions

The evolution of these emoji is not merely aesthetic; it is informed by user research. Google conducted large-scale studies to evaluate how changes in emoji design affect human connection and comprehension. The research produced several universal truths that guided the final output, including the preference for full-body animals over floating heads and the finding that adding props to an icon often hinders clarity.

The company also addressed accessibility concerns, particularly for users in dark mode. Because darker skin tone emoji were historically difficult to see against dark backgrounds, Google implemented an AI-powered contrast tool. This tool analyzes emoji at the pixel level and automatically suggests high-contrast adjustments to ensure visibility across all Google products.

Open-Source Accessibility and Industry Context

By releasing the raw .OBJ files, Google is positioning the Noto project as a flexible alternative to proprietary, platform-locked emoji sets. This open-source approach allows independent developers, educators, and businesses to integrate the assets into VR environments, animations, and third-party applications without the licensing headaches typically associated with proprietary icons.

This follows a similar industry trend toward open-sourcing design assets. Microsoft previously opened its library on GitHub and Figma, though it notably excluded trademarked characters like Clippy from the release. Microsoft’s John Friedman, CVP of Design & Research, stated at the time that the goal was to ensure emoji must exist as a SVG, PNG, and JPG file to enable true versatility, as reported by Thurrott. While Microsoft’s 3D emoji rollout saw ambivalent reactions in apps like Teams, Google’s latest iteration aims to capture a more dynamic visual style that aligns with the modern, often hyperbolic, nature of internet communication.

Shifting Trends in Digital Expression

The Noto Emoji 3D update is scheduled to debut on Pixel phones later this year, with a broader rollout across all Google products to follow. The release serves as a reminder that even the smallest digital icons are subject to the same architectural and psychological considerations as larger software interfaces.