Abstract

This article delves into the user-centered research methodology employed in a project focused on developing community-specific emojis for the Dulong community. Spearheaded by local authorities, this endeavor aimed to (1) rectify the aboriginal community’s dissatisfaction with existing emojis and enhance convenience during online communication among members, (2) digitally sustain and disseminate Dulong culture on the brink of extinction, (3) boost tourism for economic gains, (4) frequently remind users of who they are, and (5) provide compensation associated with ethnic-written texts. A month-long field trip that involved interviews and surveys was conducted with local stakeholders to generate design options addressing the current Dulong cultural reality. Employing the principles of design thinking, participants engaged as advisers, narrators, performers, and evaluators, leading to the creation of emojis that were culturally resonant with the aboriginals. This user-centered design practice generated ten emojis and fulfilled the explicit requirements of governmental bodies and the aboriginal populace, while subtly serving the implicit objective of bolstering ethnic identity among the Dulong youth. This initiative exemplifies an effective strategy for sustaining ethnic identity and culture via digital innovation.