Creating Your Avatar

Making your own avatar is fun! Several students have asked me how to make their own. In this post, I'll share with you some of the sites I've used. Be forewarned that some of the sites are easier to use than others and some require downloads that our school does not allow.

Meez allows you to make an animated 3-D avatar and place it into a background. Tip: Find and use the free items in order to build your avatar.

At planetcreation.co.uk, find Create Your Picture to make a simple facial avatar.

Yahoo Avatars is another site where you can build your avatar step-by-step, as well as add a background of your choice. I have a Yahoo account, so I was able to save my avatars.

If you are a Simpsons fan, you might enjoy "Simsonizing" yourself at SimpsonsMovie.com. You have to enter the site to create your avatar. Ask me for help to save your creation without registering.

Build an avatar quickly and simply with DoppelMe. Again, you don't need to register to save your picture; use print screen or screen capture with a photo or paint program instead.

Want to make a painting into an avatar? Try Mr. Picassohead.

Bitstrips doesn't afford as many options as some others, but you can build an avatar quickly. You can also create comics and scenes featuring your avatar and one you made of a friend.

Make yourself an avatar out of a lego with the Block Head Iconizer. It's probably not going to be very realistic, but it's still fun. You can add a body, props, and a background at its companion site, Mini-mizer.

Did you every wonder what you might look like with fangs, wings, or a tail? Try Build Your Wild Self. You can add animations and a background, too. Would you like a demonstration? Watch this YouTube video to see how easy it is.

If you like Manga, you might have a good time constructing a mangatar at FaceYourManga.com. This one seemed to take me awhile to finish, as there are many options, and not all of them are free. At Tektek.org, create a Dream Avatar that also has manga features.

At WeeWorld, make a cute little version of yourself. Change your face, hair, clothes, props, and environment as you like.

Are superheroes more your style? Marvel's Create Your Own Superhero can help you build the costume you've always wanted. Superpowers not included.

Lots of you really got a kick out of my talking Voki on this blog. You can do the same, but it is a little time-consuming. Build your avatar, record your voice, add a background, then publish.

If you have an actual photo that you'd like to turn into an avatar, try BeFunky or Shrink Pictures.

I look forward to seeing your avatars. Let me know which ones you try and the one you like the best.

If you find any other avatar-creation sites, please leave a comment so we can all explore it.

Thanks. :)