In 2019, filmmaker Theo Schear and harpist Mary Lattimore collaborated on a groundbreaking proposal to the Unicode Consortium, advocating for the creation of the first-ever harp emoji. This proposal has been approved and is set to be released for use later this year or in early 2025.
The Journey to the Harp Emoji
Expressing his admiration for Mary Lattimore’s music, Schear shared how her artistry inspired him to take up harp lessons in 2019. As an emoji creator who had already co-authored several emojis, Schear was constantly on the lookout for new ideas to propose. With the encouragement of Jennifer 8. Lee, the vice chair of Unicode’s emoji subcommittee, Schear and Lattimore embarked on their mission to bring the harp emoji to life.
A Collaborative Effort
While Schear took the lead in drafting the proposal, Lattimore’s endorsement played a crucial role in the project. Describing her involvement as akin to that of an executive producer in the film industry, Schear emphasized the significance of Lattimore’s support.
In a statement to Pitchfork, Lattimore expressed her delight at being asked to endorse the emoji proposal, highlighting the anticipation within the harpist community for this milestone.
The Case for the Harp Emoji
In their proposal, Schear and Lattimore underscored the absence of harp representation in the emoji landscape, emphasizing the instrument’s global recognition. They also alluded to the harp’s celestial associations, drawing parallels to angels often depicted with harps.
Embracing the New Emoji
The upcoming harp emoji will be featured in the beta version of the Unicode 16.0 emoji catalog, with the design crafted by Emojination’s Aphelandra Messer. Schear, known for his contributions to various emojis, is excited to see the harp symbol join the digital lexicon.
Future Emoji Endeavors
Looking ahead, Schear envisions expanding the musical instrument emoji collection, with suggestions ranging from a Bassoon emoji to representations of an upright piano or organ. The kalimba, another favorite instrument of his, is also on his wishlist for future emoji designs.
FAQs
Q: When will the harp emoji be available for use?
A: The harp emoji is expected to be released later this year or in early 2025.
Q: Who were the key figures behind the harp emoji proposal?
A: Filmmaker Theo Schear and harpist Mary Lattimore co-wrote the proposal, with support from Jennifer 8. Lee of Unicode’s emoji subcommittee.
Q: What inspired the creation of the harp emoji?
A: Mary Lattimore’s music inspired Theo Schear to propose the harp emoji, filling a notable gap in the musical instrument emoji repertoire.
Credit: pitchfork.com
