How to Make a Funny Emoticon

Sometimes when you are instant messaging your friends you may wish there were more funny emoticons to use in order to liven up your conversation. You can keep the laughs going when you make your own funny emoticons to use with Windows Live Messenger.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Gif image (animated or static)
• Windows Live Messenger

Make Extra Emoticons for MSN

1. Create emoticons for Microsoft Windows Live Messenger easily. The latest version has a way to add emoticons built right in.
2. Download a funny image that you want to use for an emoticon. Any image will do but remember not to violate anyone's copyright. Perhaps you already have your own graphics on your computer that you want to use. You could also create images in an art program such as Paint Shop Pro or Photoshop.
3. Save the image. It will resize itself for MSN. Remember where you save it because you will need to open it again later.
4. Use an animated gif file if you wish, but it must be smaller than 150 KB. An animated gif file will become an animated emoticon. A static gif will remain a static emoticon.
5. Open Windows Live Messenger on your computer and sign in. Click the "Tools" menu then choose "My Emoticons." A window will open with all of your emoticons displayed. Click the "Create" button.
6. Locate the image you want to use on your computer. Create a keyboard shortcut that you can easily type. Make it with symbols or brackets so you don't accidentally type it during your conversation. For example, you might use [funface] or {haha} as a shortcut. Windows Messenger allows up to 7 characters.
7. Click "OK" and you are done! You now know how to make funny emoticons that you can add to Windows Live Messenger.

Invent Other Emoticons

8. Learn how to make your own graphics so you can create hundreds of funny emoticons whenever you have the time. Take a class at a community college, buy a book or even follow an online tutorial for the graphics software you use.
9. Sketch your own funny faces on paper and scan them into your computer. This is another way to use your own original artwork to express your sense of humor online.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also name the emoticon you create. There is a space for a custom name in the "My Emoticons" dialog box.
• Avoid downloading spyware with emoticon packages. There are hundreds of free offers for emoticons scattered throughout the Web. Often they are loaded with spyware that can harm your computer. Instead of downloading these, create your own funny emoticons to use.