Who Creates Emojis?
While many emojis you see on your phone are standardized by the Unicode Consortium (the governing body for emoji standards), there’s a huge market for custom emojis that brands, influencers, and even private communities pay for.
These aren’t your basic smiley faces—they can be anything from a company’s mascot to a celebrity’s inside joke. Platforms like Discord, Slack, Twitch, and even WhatsApp allow the use of custom emojis, and businesses are willing to pay to have them professionally designed.
How Much Money Are We Talking?
Top emoji designers report earning $5,000 or more per month from a mix of:
- Direct client work
- Royalties from emoji packs sold on marketplaces
- Commissions for Twitch streamers and YouTubers
- Corporate contracts for branded emoji sets
Some even create subscription-based emoji collections for niche online communities, earning recurring revenue without having to constantly find new clients.
Why Businesses Pay for Custom Emojis
- Brand Personality: Emojis make brand communication more relatable and fun.
- Community Engagement: Fans love using emojis tied to their favorite creators or causes.
- Marketing Tools: Custom emojis can be used in campaigns, chat interactions, and even merchandise.
- Exclusivity: A set of emojis that only certain people have access to creates a feeling of belonging.
Skills You Need to Become an Emoji Creator
- Graphic design skills (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Procreate)
- Understanding of digital art formats and platform requirements
- Creativity for small-scale, expressive designs
- Ability to work with client feedback
- Marketing skills to promote your work
Where Emoji Creators Find Clients
- Freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork
- Direct outreach to streamers and content creators
- Discord and Slack community managers
- Social media marketing (Instagram, TikTok, Behance)
- Online art marketplaces selling emoji packs
How to Price Emoji Work
Pricing can range widely depending on complexity and usage rights:
- Basic single emoji: $10–$50
- Pack of 10 custom emojis: $150–$500
- Corporate branding package: $1,000+
- Subscription packs: $5–$20/month per subscriber
Some designers offer unlimited use rights, while others license emojis for a set period to keep clients coming back for renewals.
Passive Income Potential
Many creators upload emoji packs to marketplaces like Gumroad, Etsy (for digital products), or niche platforms that cater to streamers. Once designed, these packs can sell repeatedly without extra work—making them a steady passive income stream.
One designer reported that a single $15 emoji pack has sold over 1,000 times in a year, netting them $15,000 from just a few days of work.
Real-Life Example
A 27-year-old illustrator from Canada started designing Twitch emotes for streamers in 2020. Within six months, she was booked solid with commissions and launched her own subscription service offering monthly emoji drops. By the end of the year, she was earning over $6,000 a month—more than her previous full-time job.
How to Get Started
- Learn the basics of small-scale digital illustration.
- Study emoji size and format requirements for different platforms.
- Create a sample portfolio of emojis.
- Set up a shop or profile on freelance marketplaces.
- Promote your work on social media.
- Offer discounts or bundles to attract first clients.
Challenges to Watch Out For
- Platform restrictions on copyrighted content
- Clients with unclear design requests
- Undervaluing your work in a competitive market
- Keeping designs fresh and relevant
The Future of Emoji Creation
As more of our communication moves online, the demand for unique, expressive emojis will only grow. The most successful creators will be those who combine art skills with a clear understanding of digital culture and marketing trends.
Final Thoughts
Becoming an emoji creator isn’t just about making cute pictures—it’s about tapping into the way people communicate today. If you have artistic talent, a sense of humor, and the ability to turn an idea into a 72-pixel masterpiece, this quirky side hustle could turn into a serious income stream.
