Winner of DAFES Choice. June 2025 (3rd place)
KaoYao by Luiza Grigoryan is a web art exploration of the cultural and linguistic peculiarities of kaomoji — the Japanese emoticon system that goes beyond standard symbols. By integrating body language into text combinations, kaomoji convey not only basic emotions but also subtle nuances: intonation, facial expressions, and gestures.

Using the webcam on the site, users receive a kaomoji that matches their mood. Computer vision reads facial expressions in real-time, identifying the spectrum of emotional states, while the website’s algorithm generates complex composite kaomoji.
Relying on unique descriptions of emotions in different languages, the Mistral language model suggests names and descriptions for the kaomoji.

Are you working with motion design?
Submit your projects to DAFES AWARDS 2025 in the Motion Design nomination. No age, nationality, or professional limits. Participation is free. The deadline is October 12.

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