For many people, your blog or website is an extension of you. Various elements of your site, from its name and tagline to the design touches, combine to create a cohesive snapshot of who you are. And your profile image, or avatar, is no exception: it represents you online — on your site, in the Reader, next to your comments on blogs, and on other services across the web. Here, five people explain why they chose their avatars.
Terah Van Dusen, words + pictures
As a writer, I don’t care to blast my face all over the internet. I display a photograph of myself in my blog bio and also use social media like Facebook and Instagram, but I am wary of what I am really trying to say when I post “shameless selfies.” Because I am human, and because I am a modern woman, shameless selfies do happen. But they don’t make me feel as significant as when I share a deep, personal story online — that is what being a writer is all about.
I chose the mermaid tail as a symbol of femininity and elegance and nothing more. I suppose I didn’t want my avatar to give any clues away, or if it did, very little. I certainly didn’t want people to see that I am “too old” or “too young” or not relevant to them. We make snap decisions when we see a face, whether we want to or not. I wanted my avatar to be nondescript. Forgettable, so that my words might stand out. The beautiful thing is that people can get a sense of me, personally, privately, through my words.
Fiona Verdouw, extra | ordinary
Since I blog about my paintings, it seemed appropriate to use my painting signature as my avatar, since this is the one visually consistent element on the whole site.
I designed it in black and white because it stands out well online, and won’t clash with or interfere with any of the images on my site. This is important, because I want my artwork to be the “hero” — not my photo, or any other generated image or icon.
I have plans to expand my site to sell my paintings, and I think something simple — that always points back to me, the artist and writer of the content — would be the most flexible and relevant image as both my work and site grow in the future.
Courtney Hardy, Party Hardy
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My avatar photo was taken at the Paul Smith wall in Los Angeles, a very popular spot for bloggers and Instagrammers. I had just dyed my hair a pink-rose gold color, and what better way to show off my new pink hair than in front of a bright pink wall? The jumpsuit is from Madewell, and I love the simple geo print. I think my avatar represents my style well, plus the bright background is attention-grabbing and memorable, which is exactly what you want in a profile image.
Leslie White, Leslie Paints
I, as an artist, believe the most available subject we have to paint is ourselves. I draw and paint myself frequently. My self-portraits all look different, but each one has a semblance of me. I painted this portrait in 2007, and I still think it’s the best option for an avatar because it looks like I am engaged in listening to someone.
Hudson Biko, Pieced By HB
My blog is a platform of self-expression. A space where parts of me come together to form something that’s slowly forming itself. I wanted my avatar to represent that.
So I picked up a piece of paper and a black pen and just drew. Drew again and again and again. Picked up a third piece. Drew. And even though I’m in no way an artist, I loved the freedom of constructing my own representation.
Twenty or so sketches later, I pulled out my phone and took a picture. It was imperfect, personal, and uninhibited. But in many ways it was what my blog and I were, and I loved that.
Feeling inspired? Change your avatar at wordpress.com/me.
My avatar is a photo of me wearing a funny/odd hat. It’s a reminder to me about not taking life too seriously. Also if people are put off my blog because of the funny hat, I’m not sure that I want those sort of people following me anyway. As they say, don’t judge a book by its cover. 🙂
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I love the way you captured the essence of something that I had never even thought about
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It’s a reference to Spiral Knights’ gun.
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I drew my avatar to reflect my love of science fiction and tinplate robots (of which I do have a few) and importantly, I like it!
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My Avatar is based on a B&W photo a Friend took of me standing in front of the Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering at Stanford University in the Fall of 1977 where I was a 1st year Ph.D. Candidate. I added the Red Ray-Bans as a lark when I was composing an Avatar for my Twitter Account. Now it’s become my Trademark Image in all of my Social Media Accounts. I like it because it reminds me of my halcyon days at Stanford.
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I chose my avatar because I think it looks very intriguing that the character’s hair is billowing. Showing that she’s adventuring, or exploring in some windy place such as the ocean, a mountain, or even a desert. She’s looking at something unknown in the picture so I think that gives it a sort of curious feel. Check out The Weekly Adventurer sometime!
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Mine is really simple. In the International Code of Signals, as used by vessels at sea, the half yellow, half blue flag stands for the (English) letter “K”. On its own, it means “I wish to communicate with you.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Code_of_Signals
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My avatar is a photo taken by a local journalist who had just interviewed me. It’s my favourite photo of me.
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Yes!! i want my words to stand out, not my genetic appearance. Great reading.. Terah Van Dusen
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An avatar should always be a reflection of who you are, that’s your own representation.It should not be an exaggeration of whatever you may want to achieve
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My avatar is simply an accurate portrayal of myself.
The Oldschool Harlequin
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I chose a sunflower as my avator to resemble all things sunny and bright after the birth of my baby girl. I began a blog as a creative outlook and wanted to represent a happy space.
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I actually don’t think I have an avatar but I am immediately looking to change mine!
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My avatar is all about me. Neither lost nor found
Yet existing.
Wandering alone in a green wood
I don’t want to change or I should. ?
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An or a avatar should show how peaceful you are;at that is what i think. It may also be connected with the reflection of you and make your reader see how you are without actually seeing you.
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My avatar is simply my favorite selfie from my first solo trip to Rio de Janiero. Went for the 2016 Summer Olympics and it’s a gorgeous shot of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. I’ll never forget this trip.
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I chose the only photo I had of me that fit the size requirement. I’m just fortunate it’s a flattering one.
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This is post is absolutely good…. I was thinking about how my avatar should be. Thanks for helping me out
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Meu avatar é simplesmente a foto que eu mais gosto
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