Representation through digital avatars

Aims of the tool

Support young people in building a healthy identity and observe how they see themselves.

Description of the tool

1. Choose a platform to build an avatar.

There are a few options here. You can choose a common game that all of the participants are familiar with, like Minecraft, or use a character designer app like Heroforge (https://www.heroforge.com/) or ReadyPlayerMe (https://readyplayer.me/avatar). On Heroforge, you can buy the 3d model of the avatar and print a rough version of the model with your home 3d printer. On Ready Player Me, you can download and use the character on your own games made with Unreal or Unity.

2. Instruct participants

Choose your aim on what purpose this training is. It can be about sharing how the participant would like to be seen by others. It can be about personal traits. Ask them to think about what they consider the best personal trait that they have and multiply it by a thousand. Through this, they have their own superpower. How do they look like superheroes? What is their superhero name?

3. Share the avatars

Share the avatars with others and tell a little story about the character. How does it reflect yourself? What parts are from you, and what parts did you add? What characteristics you would like to take to your real life and why? Note that sharing can be hard for some people and sharing this kind of sensitive information always needs a trustworthy and reliable surrounding.

Optional 4. Use the avatar

Make a digital story with the avatar using Blender, Unreal or Unity. You can also use the character as a model for cartoons or other analog storytelling methods.