Lync 2013 client IM emoticons changed to 8-bit versions

Question

My Lync IM chat emoticons suddenly changed to what looks like 8-bit versions. Meanwhile Everyone else in the office that I've checked with (~12 people) still have the normal (current) looking versions of emoticons. We have this product installed on
300+ machines and no one else has noticed, or at least reported this issue.
Any idea how to get them back to looking normal?
I'm on Win 7 Ent 64-bit with most updates installed. Lync 2013 32-bit with Lync 2013 server.
I've repaired, uninstalled/reinstalled Lync and emoticons did not revert. I'd like to know what causes this if possible so I can work at some type of prevention if others start seeing this.
Normal on the left, my emoticons on the right (or below, however this message board posts them)
I don't know if they are exactly considered 32-bit vs 8-bit emoticons but I thought it was a fair description explaining the differences between the two. 
When I use one face, the recipient sees the normal 32-bit version of whatever is associated with it.
It doesn't seem to impact the main functionality of the program but would indicate an issue with something that I would like to fix.
I can't find any information associated with this and have no idea where these older looking visuals came from. It's almost like a very old template that is still embedded within the Lync picture tables has surfaced.
I've scoured the options menus but there doesn't appear to be anything related to the visual style of emoticons, just the ability to turn them off or on.
naturally, :) the first thing I did was reboot. No luck.
Ryan
PS- Images were removed because apparently Microsoft still needs to verify my account. I'll post pics of as soon as MS lets me

Answer 1

Yes! That's exactly it.
Wow, why is it so hard to search for this on the web? I spent a fair amount of time searching for this issue using various keywords (Lync, emoticons, recent Lync 2013 change, etc) and 95% of the results were "How to import or create your own emoticons".
It must be too new to fall into the first page of most engine search queries.
Ok, so little rant aside, Thank you both for answering the question. Also, sorry for not responding sooner. I thought  that I'd be emailed when someone responded after having checked the option to be alerted when someone posted. Oh well, we're good
now. At least I have the answer.
Although that blog doesn't explain WHY they made emoticons dull and child-drawing like, at least I know this is because of a recent update. It looks like we will start seeing more of it when I update more computers around the office.
The screenshots I intended to post are exactly like the ones posted in the link from Michael and Paul.
Now that I have created this question it does come up on a search page, so as more people discover and query about the change they will probably find your answers here.
Thanks to both of you.