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ENTITY reports on christmas doodle googleScreenshot via Google

Google’s doodles are the best way to mark an important anniversary or celebration. From birthdays of famous women in history to holidays around the globe, Google has made doodles to commemorate each one.

And here at ENTITY, we absolutely love Google’s Christmas doodles.

But how do they come up with these doodles? Well, it all started with the original doodle.

What was the original doodle?

ENTITY reports on christmas doodle google

Screenshot via Google

Google’s first doodle was posted on August 30, 1998, days before Google officially began.

Because the founders were planning on going to Burning Man, they wanted an “out of the office” indication on their homepage. So, they drew a little stick figure behind the second “o” in Google to let users know they wouldn’t be available that day.

Then, in 2000, the founders asked Dennis Hwang, webmaster and intern, to create a doodle for Bastille Day. The doodle became so popular that the tradition had to be carried on. From then on, the idea of creating Google doodles was born.

How did Christmas Google doodles start?

The first ever Christmas Google doodle was posted in 1999. It featured the Google logo with a snowy hill background and the first “o” drawn as a snowman.

From then on, their Christmas doodles were pretty average until 2008, when they created a doodle series that featured a new doodle for the first few days of the holiday season. In 2008, the theme was a man creating toys in the shape of the Google logo. Each consecutive doodle included the man’s daughter helping him create better toys.

And in 2016, Google posted an animated doodle of the Google logo singing a Christmas carol under streetlights. In the animation, the “l” is a triangle player whose moment is interrupted by the other letters singing.

On this day, Google posted a short blurb to accompany the doodle, something as fun and informational as the brand itself:

“‘Tis the season for song! Wintertime brings with it a number of traditions, but few as old or joyful as caroling. Dating back thousands of years, the original carols were songs specific to certain regions, and shared by wandering minstrels on their travels between towns. It wasn’t until the early 1800s that the practice of caroling as we know it, spread across England and western Europe. During this time, cities began hosting outdoor orchestras that played songs for people to sing along with as they walked by. “

So, the doodles went from being basic, simple drawings to meaningful animations.

Who creates the doodles?

ENTITY reports on christmas doodle google

Screenshot via Google

Originally, Hwang was the designated creator, but as the company expanded, Google created a team of engineers and illustrators. Hwang spoke to The Guardian about his experience with Google’s doodles and how the doodles represent Google’s playfulness as a company.

“It’s not a gimmick,” Hwang said. “It really grows from the core culture. It comes from the founders, Larry and Sergey, their quirky personalities and drive for innovation. At a time when the company logo is considered sacred, they’re saying ‘Let’s have fun with it’.”

And for anyone interested in his artistic process, Hwang also talked about his process creating these amazing doodles. “I have some tools and tricks to make it look as though it’s done on pencil and paper,” he explained.

He uses a Wacom graphics tablet and a stylus for input. He also got a Tablet PC to work directly on the screen. “That’s my secret weapon,” he said. “It shaves two to four hours off how long it takes to draw one.”

And if you’re interested in seeing the results of creative processes like Hwang’s, visit Google’s archive of doodles.

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