Tissue Paper Box Emoji Proposal

Proposal for Tissue Paper Box Emoji Submitted by Richa Agrawal Introduction: This is a request for the inclusion of the Tissue Paper Box emoji. The purposes served by the Tissue Paper Box emoji span from a means of consolation to the face-negative category1 emoji to a symbol for health and hygiene2.

Tissue paper is popular over a wide geographical distribution. This includes areas such as United Kingdom, Philippines, United States, Canada and Australia3. Due to urbanisation, this popularity is expected to grow rapidly around the globe4.

1. Identification:

Short names and keywords for the proposed emoji are: A. CLDR short name: TISSUE PAPER BOX B. CLDR keywords: COMIC | FACE | TISSUE | CONSOLATION | HEALTH | HYGIENE | CLEANLINESS

2. Images: I propose the following image for the Tissue Paper Box emoji. The corresponding 72x72 PNG file has been submitted along with the proposal.

Figure 1: Proposed Image for Tissue Paper Box emoji (Left to right: Coloured vector, black and white image) 3. Selection Factors for Inclusion: The rationale for including the Tissue Paper Box emoji is based on the following factors.

A. Compatibility: 1

http://unicode.org/emoji/charts/full-emoji-list.html#face-negative https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissue_paper#Hygienic_tissue_paper 3 https://trends.google.co.in/trends/explore?q=tissue%20paper 4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissue_paper#The_industry 2

At present, there is no existing emoji, which represents a Tissue Paper Box on any vendor platform. However, Facebook offers a series of Tissue Paper Box stickers.

B. Expected Usage Level: I.

Frequency: According to Google Trends, the interest in tissue paper has a wide geographical distribution. This includes areas such as United Kingdom, Philippines, United States, Canada and Australia.5

Figure 2: Google Trends on interest by region for “tissue paper�

II.

Multiple Usage: The Tissue Paper Box can be interpreted and used in many ways.

For example: a. To provide consolation to a crying person.

b. To comfort an ill person.

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https://trends.google.co.in/trends/explore?q=tissue%20paper

c. To provide comic relief to a group of people.

d. To represent a symbol of health and hygiene.

e. To represent a tissue paper box, in the literal sense.

III.

Uses in sequences: Not Applicable.

C. Image Distinctiveness: The Tissue Paper Box emoji can be easily distinguished by the uniquely creased tissue popping out from the rectangular box.

D. Completeness: The Tissue Paper Box emoji would be an important addition to the Smiley & People 6section of emoji. As evident from the above examples, the Tissue paper box caters to a variety of expressions which serve to complete the spectrum of expressions conveyed through the Smiley emoji.

E. Frequently Requested: Users of Facebook7 and Twitter8 have often expressed their need for a Tissue Paper Box emoji through requests and complaints. Their comments indicate that there is no emoji available which be used as a suitable substitute to indicate a tissue paper box.

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http://unicode.org/emoji/charts/full-emoji-list.html#smileys_&_people https://www.facebook.com/search/posts/?q=tissue%20emoji 8 https://twitter.com/search?q=tissue%20emoji&src=typd 7

Figure 3: Facebook posts and tweets expressing a need for a tissue paper box emoji 4. Selection Factors for Exclusion: F. Overly Specific: The Tissue Paper Box emoji would not be overly specific as it can be used to represent a range of feelings and objects.

G. Open-Ended: This criterion is not applicable.

H. Already Representable:

This criterion is also not applicable. The above-mentioned comments from Facebook and Twitter express grievances regarding the absence of an emoji which can be used to resemble a tissue paper box in any way. Therefore, implying that the Tissue Paper Box emoji is not already representable.

I.

Logos, Brands, UI Icons, Signage, Specific People, Deities: The proposed emoji is free of copyright concerns and does not contain references to logos, brands, UI Icons, signage and specific people.

J.

Transient: The Google Trends results indicate that the interest in tissue paper has been consistent over the past five years9. Due to urbanisation, this popularity is only expected to

grow rapidly around the globe10.

9

https://trends.google.co.in/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&q=tissue%20paper https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tissue_paper#The_industry

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Figure 4: Google Trends Interest over time for “tissue paper” K. Faulty Comparisons: This criterion is not applicable.

5. Sort Location: The proposed Tissue Paper Box emoji should be placed in the “Smiley & People” section.

A. Proposed Tissue Paper Box emoji should be placed in the “face-fantasy” category.

B. Proposed Tissue Paper Box emoji should come after pile of poo emoji.

6. Representation and Recognisability: I am confident that the proposed image is appropriate for the “Tissue Paper Box” emoji and would be easily identified as a tissue paper box by anyone who has seen one.

Form: The proposed Tissue Paper Box emoji is an icon of a standard rectangular tissue paper box.

Facial Expression: The proposed Tissue Paper Box emoji is given a facial expression indicating a slight smile.

The purpose this serves is to build the character of the tissue paper box. The effectiveness of communication through the tissue paper box emoji is accentuated by the facial expression. This is because, the tissue paper box emoji is used primarily in conversations, where it is imperative for one to maintain a certain degree of sensitivity. This sensitivity is provided through the facial expression which would not be achieved through an inanimate object.