Extra Credit: Avatar

Creating an Avatar

Today, I was thinking about how hectic things get as the end of the semester gets closer.  So after completing the assignments for week 1, I decided I should do myself a favor and get at least one Extra Credit Item (ECI) out of the way.  Yep!  You guessed it!  I chose to create an Avatar.  I started this adventure with lots of apprehension but I can honestly say it was all for nothing.   Of the seven (7) sites provided, I utilized two (2) and I will share my experience below.  And just so you know, I created all the images without divulging my personal information and they were all done for FREE: 

Portrait Illustration Maker was the first site I visited.  It was really easy to use but not quite the experience that I expected as I wasn't able to accomplish the look that I was after.  That being said, I was still able to create several Avatars - which I will share with you momentarily.  Let me first take a moment to tell you how you can get your image(s) on your computer once created. 

You can do this via one of two ways - they are both super easy so it doesn't matter which one you choose.  When you are ready to save your Avatar(s) you can right-click on the image; select "save Picture as"; and then choose where you want to store it; give it a name and press save.  Viola!  You are done!!  OR you can press "download" and when the box pops up choose "save"; and then choose where you want to store it; give it a name and press save.  Again, so simple - that's it - you are done!! 

OK.  I know you have just been bubbling with anticipation for the moment I reveal my Avatars.  Keep in mind that I told you I couldn't get them exactly like I wanted them but anyone who knows me will know I tired.  I think the site targets Chinese/Japanese and this was probably the reason I couldn't.  So anyway here they are in all their awkward splendor - it was still a lot of fun and the site was very user-friendly:   



Hawiane #1
"Image created by Hawiane Tidwell, 2012.
Permission granted to reuse with attribution."



Hawiane #2
"Image created by Hawiane Tidwell, 2012.
Permission granted to reuse with attribution."




Hawiane #5
"Image created by Hawiane Tidwell, 2012.
Permission granted to reuse with attribution."



Hawiane #3
"Image created by Hawiane Tidwell, 2012.
Permission granted to reuse with attribution."

Hawiane #4
"Image created by Hawiane Tidwell, 2012.
Permission granted to reuse with attribution."

Face Your Manga was the second site I visited and I downloaded the myWebFace application to my computer.  To save an image(s), once you have it the way you want it you just click "save to computer"; and then choose where you want to store it; give it a name and press save.  Just as easy as before and let me tell you, I had a blast at this site - there's sooo much you can do!!!  The tools available were also easy to use, I played around with a few of them and this is what I came up with in no time at all: 

I was able to create this image using the "MangaYou" application and was done in just a few clicks: 

"Image created by Hawiane Tidwell, 2012.

Permission granted to reuse with attribution."

Utilizing the "CartoonYou", I created this one also in just a few clicks:

"Image created by Hawiane Tidwell, 2012.

Permission granted to reuse with attribution."

The next two (2) required just a little more work as the applications need a photo of you.  You can either upload one from your computer or if you have a web cam you can use it to capture the photo.  I used the "MyZooMe" to create this image, I thought it was sooo cute - I think it's my favorite:

"Image created by Hawiane Tidwell, 2012.

Permission granted to reuse with attribution."

And lastly, I used "CaricatureMe" to create this one.  I'm not sure a mother could even love this face.  Kinda scary, huh?

"Image created by Hawiane Tidwell, 2012.

Permission granted to reuse with attribution."

See!  I told you, it's not that hard and it's really a lot of fun - so don't procrastinate.  Go ahead and get started, it will be one less thing you have to worry about later and you will be glad you did!!  :-)