Emojis and reaction GIFs make Slack better. Here's how to create them.

Working from home has made communication trickier. Video calls help, but most interactions are text-based, lacking the nuances of in-person conversation. This is where custom Slack emojis shine, adding emotional context to otherwise bland messages. While Slack offers standard emojis, creating your own allows for far richer expression.

This guide shows you how to create both JPEG and GIF emojis for Slack, from simple snapshots to more elaborate animated reactions.

Creating Slack Emojis: The JPEG Method

Creating a JPEG emoji is straightforward. You'll need basic photo editing skills (cropping, brightness/contrast adjustment). Slack recommends square images (1:1 aspect ratio) with transparent backgrounds, but it's flexible. Files larger than 128KB will be resized, and non-square images will have black bars added. Transparent backgrounds aren't strictly necessary.

For professional-looking emojis, use image editing software like Adobe Photoshop or the free online alternative, Photopea.

• Cropping: Use the crop tool (shortcut 'C') to create a 1:1 square image. Focus on a single, central element for optimal visibility.
• Background Removal: Photopea users should utilize the magnetic lasso tool ('L' key). Photoshop users can employ the magic wand tool ('W'). Select the background and delete it. Use the eraser tool ('E') to clean up any remaining pixels.
• Resizing (Optional): While Slack automatically resizes, consider keeping your image under 300x300 pixels for best practice.

Level Up Your Slack Game: GIF Emojis

GIF emojis add a dynamic element to your communication. You can use existing GIFs or create them from short videos. Remember Slack's 128KB size limit.

• Source Material & Resizing: Start with a short (2-3 second) video or a pre-existing GIF. Resize frames to a small 1:1 square to minimize file size. Online tools like Ezgif or Gifntext, or Photoshop/Photopea can help.
• GIF Editing: In Photoshop or Photopea, edit each frame individually. Crop, remove backgrounds, and add effects as needed. Photoshop allows frame duration adjustment via the Timeline tab. Photopea automatically handles frame duration. Reduce the number of frames to decrease file size.
• Saving Your GIF: Export as a GIF using the appropriate settings in Photoshop or Photopea, aiming to stay under the 128KB limit.

Uploading Your Emoji to Slack

Once your emoji is ready, upload it to Slack via the emoji menu's "Add Emoji" option. Choose a unique name (use hyphens instead of spaces), and review before saving. Remember to consider the appropriateness of your emoji for your workplace. You can manage and delete your custom emojis in Slack's workspace customization settings.

By following these steps, you can elevate your Slack communication with creative and expressive custom emojis.

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