Creating an Emoji

Nerono

I want to create an emoji for the WhatsApp application, the resolution of it is 48x48, what is the best way to approach such a task? should I start with a higher resolution and than scale my canvas? should I use somehow illustrator (no knowledge of the program what so ever)? thank you for the input

RobeOmega

The best place for this type of question would probably be best placed on a graphic design forum and not a game art forum. Saying that though I think it would be best to work in the same resolution as it would be displayed to make sure that everything you want on it translates correctly into the Emoji.

Nerono

Robeomega said:

The best place for this type of question would probably be best placed on a graphic design forum and not a game art forum. Saying that though I think it would be best to work in the same resolution as it would be displayed to make sure that everything you want on it translates correctly into the Emoji.

I am sorry for my mistake, thank you for the input!

Eric Chadwick

Actually this is not too far from actual game art, since emoji use pixelart techniques, same as many a scroller and platformer.

Some resources here to get you started.
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/PixelArt

RN

I think some emojis may be in high resolution, like SVG or large raster images, to be used in devices with high resolution like tablets.
If you don't own Illustrator CC, Inkscape is fine.

Nerono

Should I create an emoji using a program like adobe illustrator so I could scale it however I want to?

Nerono

http://i.imgur.com/PJFYbtP.png
on the edges of the emoji there is a feathering effect happening, how was it made? was the emoji more likely made in photoshop or illustrator?

Eric Chadwick

Both Illustrator and Photoshop allow you to use shape-based gradient effects like this, very easily.

Nerono

Eric Chadwick said:

Both Illustrator and Photoshop allow you to use shape-based gradient effects like this, very easily.

thanks for the feedback!
If I were to create an emoji, should I use illustrator, if not, which program?

Eric Chadwick

Where and how exactly is the emoji going tbe displayed?

Nerono

Eric Chadwick said:

Where and how exactly is the emoji going tbe displayed?

whatsapp application, tablets, smart phones, etc..

Eric Chadwick

Google "whatsapp custom emoji". First hit is the article. http://www.loudtechie.com/how-to-add-or-edit-whatsapp-custom-emoticons/

Apparently the built-in emojis are 48x48 png files. I would simply use Photoshop to make them, but I already own it and am really comfortable in it.

lf you have another paint or vector app you like, go for it.

Nerono

Eric Chadwick said:

Google "whatsapp custom emoji". First hit is the article. http://www.loudtechie.com/how-to-add-or-edit-whatsapp-custom-emoticons/

Apparently the built-in emojis are 48x48 png files. I would simply use Photoshop to make them, but I already own it and am really comfortable in it.

lf you have another paint or vector app you like, go for it.

I saw that article, read it as well, I meant to ask, should I use vectors or pixel based workflow?

Nerono

Eric Chadwick said:

Google "whatsapp custom emoji". First hit is the article. http://www.loudtechie.com/how-to-add-or-edit-whatsapp-custom-emoticons/

Apparently the built-in emojis are 48x48 png files. I would simply use Photoshop to make them, but I already own it and am really comfortable in it.

lf you have another paint or vector app you like, go for it.

I mean, whatsapp is on tablets and smartphones, which both contain different size emojis

Eric Chadwick

Probably fine to use 48x48 for both. Best way to know is to test on a tablet. Do some research... What resolution is the tablet? Etc.

But either way, the end result is pixels not vectors. PNG is pixels only. Use whatever software you're comfortable using.