From cave paintings to modern photos, humans have always used pictures to communicate. Today we often communicate via text rather than verbally. This can make it hard to express emotion, tone, and nuance. Emoji, GIFs, and other visuals can help! But it’s tricky to know whether visual forms of communication are appropriate. This session will examine when and how to use them. We’ll discuss their application in professional settings. We’ll cover the challenges of relying on visual communication. Along the way, we’ll learn how ASCII art and smileys evolved into emoji and how they're changing. If you’ve ever wondered why it took so long to get a taco emoji or whether to send your coworker a silly dog GIF, this session is for you.