To align with its competitors, TikTok has just launched a new playful function. Now you can create a personalized, animated avatar that mimics your facial expressions to incorporate into your videos.
After its competitors Apple, Facebook and Snapchat, TikTok is in turn launching a function allowing you to create your own animated avatar. It must be said that competition is fierce between the various social networks, which must demonstrate constant creativity to renew themselves and satisfy their respective communities. Thus, a few weeks ago, TikTok extended the maximum length of its videos from 3 to 10 minutes: a way of offering more latitude to creators and, above all, of increasing the advertising revenue generated. Instagram was quick to retaliate, extending the length of its Reels from 60 to 90 seconds.
To remain competitive, you have to constantly improve, even if it means drawing inspiration from your competitors. TikTok has thus just added the possibility of creating personalized and animated avatars, which are reminiscent of those of its competitors, with Apple’s Memoji which also allow the avatar to interact according to facial expressions, the Avatars of Facebook and Snapchat’s Bitmoji, with their caricatural and cartoonish graphic style. Nevertheless, the TikTok avatars differ since the social network integrates a miniature mode which allows its animated version to be used on any video, thanks to an overlay of clips. By copying their flagship functions, the various platforms seek to attract new users while maintaining their current community.
Unique avatars for more inclusiveness
If several predefined templates are offered if you are not very inspired, you can fully customize your avatar by drawing from “a wide range of hairstyles, accessories, piercings and makeup, to create a TikTok avatar that reflects your look and personal style“, as the Chinese giant explains in its official statement. The company thus wants to offer a function that is as inclusive and representative as possible of its users. “Whether it’s outfits, skin tones, hair color or texture, creating inclusive features and experiences remains our priority.“, underlines the Asian company.
Once your creation is complete, you can record a video of your avatar that will track your movements and facial expressions. This is a new way of communicating, without having to show your true face. You will be able to use your avatar, a pseudonym, as well as the voice effects already available to share your content anonymously. You can adjust its size and position it where you want in the image. You can also change its expression to reflect your current mood. Of course, this is only the first version of these animations and the developers will continue to improve the option to represent all users. TikTok is currently working on an option to insert a miniature version of an avatar into a video.
How to create your TikTok avatar?
The creation of a TikTok avatar obviously happens on the mobile application. Here’s how to get your personalized avatar.
► Open the TikTok app, then tap the icon + Publish, at the bottom of the screen to access the video creation tools.
► Tap the icon Effects, at the bottom left.
► The effects library is displayed in a pane at the bottom.
► Select the tab Avatar, represented by a square icon with two 3D faces. If you can’t find it, feel free to type Avatar in the tab Researchrepresented by a small magnifying glass.
► A gallery with faces appears in a banner. Press on one of the models (templates) offered or create your own by clicking on + Newleftmost.
► A new window opens. Press on A model to personalize it.
►Your model’s face appears large. Press on one of the elements (hair, eyes, mouth, nose, etc.) to modify it using a pane that appears at the bottom, with shapes and colors. You can scroll through items arranged in tabs to see more.
► When you are satisfied with the result, press the button To end at the top right to save your avatar so you can use it in your videos.
There you go, you can now have fun with your avatar! You can even associate a voice effect to it later from among the different proposals when you shoot a video.