How companies displayed the gun emoji chart

Ever notice how big tech quietly swapped the gun emoji for water pistols? This chart shows how Apple, Google, Microsoft, and others evolved their designs to match shifting culture. That’s brand positioning in a single pixel.

The Marketing Lesson

Each company used tiny design choices to reflect audience values. In times of social sensitivity, they softened visuals to signal empathy and responsibility—without saying a word.

Why It Works

• Reflects cultural trends in real time
• Aligns brand tone with user values
• Avoids negative PR through proactive design
• Shows consistency across global communication tools

Real-World Parallels

• Airbnb redesigned its logo to feel more inclusive in 2014
• Pepsi updated tone-on-tone packaging to feel calmer after social backlash
• Meta’s rounded icons replaced sharp edges to look “friendly” and “human”
• Google tweaks Doodles constantly to reflect public sentiment instantly