Being a very social and interactive person, I find speaking from "behind" a virtual image a very strange concept. The idea of creating a "likeness" or "persona" of myself that does not have to actually look like me is something to which I am resistant. As a kinesthetic learner, I am very attached to my physical form. While it may not always be my ideal, it is tangible and "real" to me. However, not everyone connects to their bodies in the same way. Avatars offer an opportunity to reinvent yourself while experimenting with and exploring identity through visual representation.
Creating an "avatar" in the Voki application feels as if I am creating an animated version of myself. I can be human, animal or something altogether unreal (a monster). Pretty quickly during creation the limitations of the application become apparent. I am offered a fairly large selection of customizable characters from which to choose. However, many are reserved for "Voki Classroom," the paid section of the Voki site. While the selection seems to cover a wide range of "bodies," I cannot help but notice that many of the characters are gender specific stereotypes of what popular cultures dictate as "attractive." Limited adjustments can be made to the nose, eyes, mouth, hair, and coloring of the "voki". Adding a speaking voice offers several options including 1) calling and creating a message over the phone, 2) entering text and choosing a prerecorded voice to speak for you, 3) using your own voice to record a message through the site, and lastly, 4) upload a voice file. These messages are limited to 60 second sound bites. Backgrounds are also customizable with many options to choose from.
In Voki, I created four different forms. As I explored, I realized that I was unintentionally prescribing parts of my own physical identity to each character. Each has blond hair and green eyes and bares a striking resemblance to me. I explored myself as a male character with long hair, then a female with no hair. It was hard for me to identify with a character that did not look like me in some way. That is why I eventually chose the Siamese cat. By forcing myself to move to an animal representation I was able to focus on internal characteristics of personality and interests rather than the physical. Afterward, I revisited the site and played with a variety of physical traits that could represent various parts of my personality.
In Voki, I created four different forms. As I explored, I realized that I was unintentionally prescribing parts of my own physical identity to each character. Each has blond hair and green eyes and bares a striking resemblance to me. I explored myself as a male character with long hair, then a female with no hair. It was hard for me to identify with a character that did not look like me in some way. That is why I eventually chose the Siamese cat. By forcing myself to move to an animal representation I was able to focus on internal characteristics of personality and interests rather than the physical. Afterward, I revisited the site and played with a variety of physical traits that could represent various parts of my personality.
Break free, break free
From the desire to conform.
Break free, break free
From an antiquated form.
Embrace, embrace
What exists beyond your mind
Embrace, embrace
Whatever you may find.
Let go, let go
Of the space you cling too
Let go, let go
And discover something new.
Explore, explore
Find a new face
Explore, explore
Within a new space.
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