They are no longer just smiley faces, to keep your friend happy when you're feeling angry. The smilies from the days of AOL Chat and MSN Messenger are loooong gone. "Emoji" just took it to a whole new level...
Definition: Japanese define the term "emoji" by breaking it up in to - "e" (picture) + "moji" (letter) [source]
Where it all started...
Before we even coined the term "emoji", or had a full understanding of modern technology - as we know it today - we had smiley faces for electronic messaging.
It wasn't until 1998-99, that emojis were created and that was in Japan. Despite this, they are now commonly used as an incorporated element of other platforms, i.e. WhatsApp, the Windows Phone 7 and iPhone all allow access to such icons, without requiring a Japanese carrier.
Why do we use ‘emoji’?
The simple answer? In 2014, society seems to think that the lazy way seems to be the best way - when it comes to digital conversation, at least.
Using “text talk” such as, ‘how r u?’, has become a phenomenon within the mobile world.
We no longer need to explain ourselves in full sentences using proper English as most words have a shorter alternative (they didn't, but we created them when our tired fingers wouldn't let us chat in full sentences any longer).
Emojis now form another section of this "text talk". In addition to shortening words, we are shortening our expressions and attitudes, through emoji (see below).
Instead of saying yes, we now might use a 'thumbs up' emoji. Likewise, to say no, we use the 'thumbs down' icon. Each emoji is equivalent to a set word or phrase (although many of us have got our own - not necessarily correct - meanings for the emojis we use most).
How we use ‘emoji’...
Most of us are using emoji in one of two ways - via the social networking app, WhatsApp, or by using software to add them to our Apple devices (iPads and iPhones) and implement them in iMessages, tweets and other messaging platforms. Gone are the days of a choice of 20 in the MSN Messenger range, today you have a choice of 845 emojis - some more worthwhile than others.
Apple users have the joy of downloading emoji via the App Store, in turn creating a second keyboard which works alongside your QWERTY one. There is no need to be creative with special characters and brackets anymore - it's 2014, after all.
Who can use ‘emoji’?
EVERYONE. Emoji isn’t something that can only be used by specific people.
If you can understand it, you can use it (and it ain't that hard to learn)!
Even Queen B - aka US singer Beyoncé Knowles - has been given an emoji makeover, with Vimeo user, Jesse Hill, revitalising her latest track, Drunk In Love, in all of it's emoji-fied glory - watch via this link!
Since the early days of internet forums, we've adopted visual expressions, from little :) to show our emotions, to the days of MSN messenger and "smiley faces" or "emoticons".
Today is the day of the "emoji" and it's bigger, bolder, more visual and easier to use than ever before.
