{
  "id": 16779093,
  "title": "1,447 emoji? We'll do it live",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/1-447-emoji-well-do-it-live",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-27T18:28:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Lobsters",
    "slug": "lobsters",
    "url": "https://planetpeanut.studio/post/2026/10/27/pidgin-emoji-twitch"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "After experiencing a layoff, many people find themselves reflecting on their past work and revisiting old projects they once contributed to. One such project was Pidgin, a universal chat client. The original emoticon set for version 2 was designed by the author and later, when the project was renamed from Gaim due to a legal dispute, they helped redesign the user interface. Pidgin 3 is currently making progress towards its first release, and the author has been lending a hand with a new app icon and status symbols for the development releases.\n\nInspired by these experiences, the author decided to take on a new challenge: live streaming the creation of a base set of 1,447 emoji for Pidgin, exclusively in the GNOME-style. The goal was to design these emojis live on a streaming platform, such as Twitch, to share insights into the icon design process. The author aimed to maintain consistency in their work by using a test run as a starting point, rather than starting from a new plan each time. To keep themselves accountable, they created a design file that could not be altered without notice.\n\nThe author planned to work on the project a few times a week during the live streams, inviting viewers to join them for a cup of tea, some music, and to witness the creation of the 1,447 emoji. This ambitious undertaking would take place over the winter months, providing viewers with a unique behind-the-scenes look at the design process.\n\nFor those interested in supporting the author's design work for free and open-source projects, they are always looking for more sponsors. By following the author on Twitch, viewers can be notified when the live streams begin and contribute to the ongoing project.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Author streams creation of 1,447 emoji for Pidgin on Twitch",
    "Aim to maintain consistency by using test run as starting point",
    "Project runs winter months, invites viewers for behind-the-scenes look"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}