Here is a general overview of the process:
1. Proposal:
- Individuals or organizations can submit proposals for new emoji to the Unicode Consortium. These proposals must include information such as the name, appearance, and intended usage of the proposed emoji.
- Proposals are submitted using the Unicode Consortium's online form or through email.
2. Evaluation:
- The Unicode Consortium's Emoji Subcommittee evaluates the submitted proposals. They assess factors such as the emoji's potential usefulness and distinctiveness.
3. Selection:
- Based on the evaluations, the Emoji Subcommittee selects a set of emoji proposals to be included in the next version of the Unicode Standard.
4. Technical Preparation:
- Once selected, the emoji designs undergo technical preparation. This involves creating detailed specifications and artwork for each emoji, ensuring they are compatible with different devices and platforms.
5. Approval:
- The proposed emoji are then submitted for approval by the Unicode Consortium's Technical Committee. The committee reviews the technical specifications and makes the final decision on which emoji are approved.
6. Encoding:
- The approved emoji are assigned unique code points within the Unicode Standard. This allows them to be represented consistently across different platforms and software systems.
7. Implementation:
- Once the emoji are encoded in the Unicode Standard, they become available for implementation by device manufacturers and software developers. It may take some time for the new emoji to appear on various devices and platforms as updates are released.
It's important to note that the process of proposing and approving new emoji is rigorous and can take several months or even years. The Unicode Consortium carefully considers various factors to ensure the approved emoji are relevant, useful, and widely understood across cultures.
