TikTok is launching a new feature ‘Custom Avatars’ that lets users turn themselves into custom animated avatars in the style of Apple’s Memoji, Snapchat’s Bitmoji, and Meta’s Avatars. The Custom Avatars feature is rolling out globally =and is accessible from the app’s camera alongside TikTok’s various other effects. To use the feature on yourself, open the app, flip the camera to selfie mode, tap effects, and select the avatar effect.
TikTok’s New Custom Avatars Are Provide True Representation of Users
Users can then either employ a preset look or hit “new” to create a custom avatar. This lets you customize your avatar’s face shape, skin tone, hairstyle, and accessories, including makeup and piercings. You can then record a video with the avatar following your movements and facial expressions. TikTok states it wants to make the Custom Avatars feature as inclusive as possible and will continue to “improve and innovate to make sure the experience is truly representative of all who are on TikTok.”
Users Can Also Combine Avatars with TikTok’s Preexisting Voice Effects
It’s interesting that so many social media platforms have now adopted custom avatars as a way for people to communicate without the pressure of accomplishing so “in person.” But while Snapchat and iMessage use Bitmoji and Memoji to communicate with people you know (mostly), TikTok’s avatars have the potential to be used by pseudonymous content creators. This is a trend that’s already taken off on YouTube with VTubers and could certainly be embraced on a platform like TikTok. Users can even combine their custom avatars with TikTok’s preexisting voice effects for further anonymity.
“We’re excited to launch the first version of TikTok Avatars globally and will continue to improve and innovate to make sure the experience is truly representative of all who are on TikTok,” the company, a division of China’s ByteDance, said in a blog post announcing the feature. “From outfits to skin tones and hair color down to texture, building inclusive features and experiences remains our priority, and we’ll continue to listen to our community and look to creators for feedback at every step of its development.”
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