The Art & Technology Behind Google Doodles

Doodles are the fun, surprising and sometimes spontaneous changes that are made to the Google logo to celebrate holidays, anniversaries and the lives of famous artists, pioneers and scientists.

In 1998, before the company was even incorporated, the concept of the doodle was born when Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin played with the corporate logo to indicate their attendance at the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert. Two years later, in 2000, Larry and Sergey asked an intern to produce a doodle for Bastille Day which was so well received by users that a chief doodler was appointed, and doodles started showing up more and more regularly on the Google homepage.

Over time, the demand for doodles has risen in the US and internationally. Creating doodles is now the responsibility of a team of talented illustrators (called doodlers) and engineers. For them, creating doodles has become a group effort to enliven the Google homepage and bring smiles to the faces of Google users around the world.

Tonight we will meet members of the doodle team and get a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process. They will discuss how technology’s evolution has enabled them to create more beautiful and highly interactive doodles, and the challenge that brings to the technical members of the team. We will also find out about possible risks and rewards involved when one’s "canvas" is viewed by millions worldwide.

John Hollar will be our moderator for what is certain to be an entertaining and inspirational evening. Please join us.

This event is part of our continuing Revolutionaries lecture series, featuring conversations with some of the most distinguished thinkers in the computing field.

This event is a part of the ZERO1 Biennial: Seeking Silicon Valley conference. Some of the most brilliant minds in contemporary art, technology, science and architecture come together for one of the world’s only Biennials to focus on the convergence of contemporary art and technology. Opening week includes a nighttime street festival, urban screen, public art, artist talks and more, with Biennial events continuing into December with over 150 artists, 45 partners and a network of exhibitions, performances, public art and programs throughout the Bay Area. For more information visit zero1biennial.org