Facebook’s NPE Team Launches E.gg: A Freeform Collage Creator
Facebook’s experimental R&D division, the NPE Team, has officially launched its latest creative tool—E.gg—to the public. Initially introduced earlier this year with a waitlist, the app is now available for free download in the iOS App Store. Designed as a digital zine creator and GIF collage platform, E.gg empowers users to craft unique, mixed-media artworks using text, images, and GIFs.
How E.gg Works
- Create & Share: Users can design custom canvases combining multimedia elements, which can be shared via unique URLs—viewable even without the app.
- Browse & Remix: Explore others’ creations within the app and reuse content (with attribution) for your own projects.
- GIF Integration: Leveraging Facebook’s acquisition of Giphy, the app provides seamless access to a vast GIF library.
Image Credits: Facebook
The Vision Behind E.gg
Jason Toff, Facebook Product Manager, described E.gg as an “experimental platform for weird and wonderful self-expression,” inspired by the raw creativity of the early internet. The app encourages users to embrace unconventional designs—think nostalgic web aesthetics like animated GIFs and bold typography.
“With E.gg, you can create zine-like, free-form pages from your phone.”
— Jason Toff (@jasontoff)
Addressing Early Challenges
During beta testing, E.gg faced criticism for unauthorized use of artists’ GIFs without proper attribution. Facebook acknowledged these concerns, delaying the public launch to implement fixes. The updated version now includes:
- Desktop: An “Attribution” button on each page.
- Mobile: A “Bits” feature to credit original creators.
What Users Are Creating
Beta testers have used E.gg for:
- Fan pages (Example)
- Guides (Example)
- Tributes (Example)
- Personal profiles (Example)
- Recipe collections (Example)
Availability
E.gg is currently free to download on iOS in the U.S. Explore sample creations at e.gg.
Will E.gg reignite the quirky creativity of the early web? The app’s success hinges on balancing free expression with creator rights—a challenge Facebook continues to navigate.
