Empowering emoji on design award shortlist

EMOJI showing professional women are among the nominations for Designs of the Year by the Design Museum in London.

Last year, Google developed a range of female emoticons which include a farmer, a doctor and a mechanic. “We believe this will empower young women, the heaviest emoji users, and better reflect the pivotal roles women play in the world,” said a spokesman.

The new emoji are expected to come into use by December.

Experts at the Design Museum picked the characters alongside 62 examples of impressive work across the categories of architecture, digital, fashion, graphics, product and transport.

Other nominees include a hijab designed by Nike, Kanye West’s clothing line, Wolfgang Tillmans’ Remain Campaign, and a 3D-printed self-driving bus.

A winner will be selected in each category and an overall winner will be announced on January 25.