Doodle for Google
How did the graffiti idea come about?
The graffiti concept was born in 1998 before the company was even founded when Google founders Larry and Sergey toyed with the company logo to indicate their participation in the "Burning Man" festival in the Nevada desert. They placed a picture of a stick figure behind the second "o" in the word Google, and the modified logo was intended as a comical message to Google users that the founders were "out of office." Although the initial doodle was relatively simple, the idea of decorating the company logo to celebrate a notable event was born.
Two years later, in 2000, Larry and Sergey asked current webmaster Denis Hwang, then an intern, to create a Bastille Day graffiti. This was so well received by users that Dennis was appointed Google's chief doodler, and doodles began to appear regularly on Google's home page. Initially, many celebrated familiar holidays, but now doodles spotlight a variety of events and anniversaries, from "John James Audubon's Birthday" to "Ice Cream Sundays."
Over time, the demand for graffiti has grown not only in the United States but also internationally. Today, the creation of doodles is the responsibility of a team of talented illustrators (we call them doodlers) and engineers. For them, doodling has become a group effort to liven up the Google homepage and make Google users around the world smile.
How many doodles has Google done so far?
To date, we have created more than 5,000 doodles on our homepage around the world.
What kind of doodles do you create and how do you determine which events receive doodles?
A group of Googlers meets regularly to brainstorm and decide which events to celebrate with doodles. Doodle ideas come from many sources, including Googler and Google users. The doodle selection process aims to celebrate interesting events and anniversaries that reflect Google's personality and love of innovation.
Who designs the doodles?
A team of illustrators (we call them doodlers) and engineers are behind each and every doodle you see.
How can Google users and the general public submit doodle ideas?
The graffiti team welcomes ideas from our users. Email your next Google doodle idea to doodleproposals@google.com. The team receives hundreds of requests every day, so unfortunately we can't respond to all of them. But rest assured, we do read them.
