BIO

My name is Adrian Kolber, and I’m from Fort Lauderdale Florida. I’m a Marketing major here at FSU. When I first heard the pitch for this research project, I knew that it could evolve into something that is much broader than just the sum of its parts. By studying ancient cave drawings and their relations to modern day emojis, we were able to connect our findings to modern marketing culture and how we use similar tactics today to communicate messages as we did thousands of years ago. This project has allowed me to understand my own consumer habits both historically and psychologically, and has changed the way I view visual communication altogether.

Emojis: Caves to Commerce

Abstract

"Emojis, Caves to Commerce: Exploring the Evolution and Impact of Visual Language in STEAM" led by Dr. Daljit Kaur Chhina investigates the transition from ancient cave drawings to contemporary emojis, emphasizing their pivotal role in Information Technology, Arts, and Business (STEAM). This multidisciplinary project delves into the cultural and historical significance of cave art, the emergence of written language, and the evolution of emojis, showcasing their indispensable role in global communication. The research tasks cover aspects such as emoji usage patterns, psychological impacts, business strategies, and legal considerations.
The project hypothesizes that the evolution of visual language significantly influences human communication in STEAM fields, with emojis playing a crucial role in user engagement, marketing, and digital interfaces. Preliminary results suggest a clear link between ancient symbols in cave art and modern emojis, with examples like the flame emoji reflecting symbols associated with fire in prehistoric art. Business emojis, including the Smiling Face, Handshake, Nerdy Emoji, Check Mark, and Ok Hand Emoji, positively impact customer perception, trust-building, and effective communication in various business contexts. In essence, this UROP project underscores the interconnectedness of visual language evolution and its profound implications in the contemporary STEAM landscape, shedding light on the diverse applications of emojis in modern communication and business strategies.

Keywords: Emoji, Art, STEAM, Commerce, Caves