There’s An App For That: Local Man Develops Houston-Themed Emojis

HOUSTON, TX -- It seems that emojis have become something of the norm for communicating in the 21st Century, and they run the gamut with images of pointed fingers, smiley faces, animals, plants and symbols.

But one Houston area graphic designer and artist believes the city possesses a certain mystique that can only be explained in Houston-themed emojis. (For news updates on this story and other Houston news, just click here to get Patch's daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts).

Andy Mason, who grew up in Memorial, created H-Town stickers and launched the release to coincide with the thousands who flooded Houston for Super Bowl 51 in February.

Some of the images Mason developed are indeed iconic, such as the Astrodome, the orange barrels and road closure signs that can be used to describe any road construction project in Houston, and the ‘We Love Houston’ sign in Midtown.

However, other images are targeted to specific groups, such as those who come to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, or foodies who can’t get enough of the chips and queso.

Since it’s launch, the selection has grown to nearly 200 available emojis that include images of an assumed Shipley Donuts connection with the donuts and kolaches, and will likely grow to include images of Whataburger, Houston City Hall and whatever else may come to mind for Mason.

"I'm still not done," Mason told the Houston Chronicle. "Houston is so big and diverse and has so much to offer."

Image: Intel Free Press via Flickr

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