Clippy returns in Windows 11, and Microsoft redesigns 1800+ emoji.

 

Clippy returns in Windows 11, and Microsoft redesigns 1800+ emoji.

Everyone's favorite virtual assistant has returned, but much quieter.


With Windows 11 dramatically altering the look of the operating system, it's only natural that Microsoft would radically redesign its emoji. The company's design team announced today that it had redesigned over 1,800 emoji, which will be available later this year. One of those changes, as promised, is the redesign of the paper clip emoji as Clippy, everyone's favorite virtual assistant.



While the reintroduction of Clippy is a cute easter egg — I expect the paperclip emoji to suddenly become a lot more popular among Microsoft users — the real story is Microsoft's completely new emoji aesthetic.



While there was nothing particularly wrong with the old emoji, their flat design and bold outlines clashed with both Microsoft's Fluent design language and the more bubbly emoji of many other platforms.

Microsoft is releasing the new characters early in honor of World Emoji Day, which is a real thing. The distinction is that “the old emojis were flat, while the new ones are 3D.” However, the characters as a whole have been redesigned to have the Fluent design language's semi-translucent acrylic vibe. A video says a million words, or whatever the phrase is:

I like 'em. Although Android's old blobs are still the best shape for emoji, I like what Microsoft is going for here. The emoji, like many Fluent design elements, are made up of multiple 3D elements, which allowed Microsoft to animate almost all of the new emoji. It's unclear where these animations will appear, but it's a nice touch.

Because coronavirus and all, there are some new work-from-home-inspired emoji.



Remote Work with Microsoft Emoji in Windows 11

In this Medium post, you can learn more about Microsoft's design process. The new emoji will be available in Teams and Windows "this holiday season," and will be available in other services "throughout 2022."

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