{"id":3505,"date":"2024-05-01T10:19:35","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T09:19:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/?p=3505"},"modified":"2024-05-01T21:02:42","modified_gmt":"2024-05-01T20:02:42","slug":"should-you-use-avatars-on-virtual-calls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/resources\/blogs\/should-you-use-avatars-on-virtual-calls\/","title":{"rendered":"Should you use avatars on virtual calls?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just when you thought you\u2019d got to grips with the technology for your online meetings, a new feature comes along that offers up yet another way to communicate. This time, that feature is using avatars on virtual calls.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avatars &#8211; or virtual representations of yourself &#8211; are becoming more common on video conferencing platforms as a way to appear online. When joining a meeting, you can now choose between attending with your camera on, having audio only or using an avatar to represent your speech and body language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But are avatars on virtual calls a genuinely useful tool for communication or simply a technological novelty that\u2019s fun to play with? Let\u2019s take a look.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is an avatar?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An avatar is your digital alter ego. It\u2019s like a little virtual version of yourself that you create to represent you online. Typically it looks like a 3D cartoon character that you design to look like you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In most cases, you can customise your avatar\u2019s appearance, choosing everything from its skin, hair and eye colour to its clothes, make up and piercings to make it look like you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your avatar acts as your animated online identity, allowing you to interact with others and navigate virtual spaces in a way that feels personal and fun.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Until recently, avatars have typically been used in online gaming and social media, but now video conferencing platforms are rolling them out as a communication choice for delegates in online meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Avatars on virtual calls<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On a virtual call, your avatar appears <strong>instead of<\/strong> your video camera picture. When you talk, your avatar\u2019s mouth moves at the same time and there are a range of body language expressions and gestures that you can choose from to show your reaction to what\u2019s being said during the meeting. Clapping hands, tapping a watch, yawning and even showing delight with a \u201cchef\u2019s kiss\u201d are a couple of clicks away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1012\" height=\"584\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-30-at-10.06.23-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3515\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-30-at-10.06.23-1.png 1012w, https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-30-at-10.06.23-1-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-30-at-10.06.23-1-768x443.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1012px) 100vw, 1012px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Microsoft Teams avatar using a &#8216;welcoming&#8217; motion.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avatars are becoming increasingly popular amongst video conferencing software companies, who are promoting their use with a view to shifting users towards the mixed reality of the <a href=\"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/source\/features\/innovation\/mesh-for-microsoft-teams\/\">metaverse<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, in the last year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/insidetrack\/blog\/avatar-etiquette-how-microsoft-employees-are-using-avatars-for-microsoft-teams-in-their-meetings\/\">Microsoft<\/a> has rolled out the option of using avatars on Teams platform. Users can customise their own avatar in granular detail, changing the shape of their facial features, body and clothes so that they can best represent themselves. If your avatar\u2019s forehead seems a bit too wide, a slider can make it narrower. Eyeliner too thick? You can change that at the click of a button. Every element of your avatar is customizable.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.zoom.com\/hc\/en\/article?id=zm_kb&amp;sysparm_article=KB0059415\">Zoom allows users<\/a> to show up to meetings as a hoodie-wearing rabbit, dog or squirrel, as well as creating a version of themselves in digital \u2018human\u2019 form, and Google Meet also allows users to appear as avatars.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"609\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-29-at-21.56.21-1024x609.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3508\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-29-at-21.56.21-1024x609.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-29-at-21.56.21-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-29-at-21.56.21-768x457.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-29-at-21.56.21-1536x913.png 1536w, https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-29-at-21.56.21.png 1658w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Microsoft Teams allows users to design and customize their own avatar for use on virtual calls.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Is it a good idea to use avatars on virtual calls?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So with increasing choice of how we represent ourselves in our meetings, when and how should we use avatars on virtual calls? As with any emerging technology, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages to bringing avatars into our business lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s take a look at some of the reasons why people might choose to use an avatar, and some of the drawbacks that you need to be aware of.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are the benefits of using avatars on a virtual call?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Studies have identified several benefits of using avatars on a virtual call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. People feel more engaged<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avatars can increase individual feelings of engagement in a meeting. Some <a href=\"https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1145\/3533406.3539658#:~:text=Avatars%20have%20the%20potential%20to,movements%20(like%20a%20webcam).\">studies<\/a> have shown that having an avatar can enhance participants\u2019 feelings of being present on a call <strong>if the only alternative would be to use audio<\/strong>. It can make participants feel more \u2018seen\u2019 by other people on the call and, in some circumstances, can actually help to increase trust when the avatar is seen to be \u2018reacting\u2019 in a way that the user would if you could see them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Increased self-confidence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One main reason many people feel positive about avatars is when they want to hide their visual appearance. Avatars can help to increase confidence and the feeling of being \u2018part\u2019 of a meeting without the fatigue of being \u2018seen\u2019 on camera for long periods of time. If everyone is using an avatar, it can also bring a sense of equality to a meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Technical benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are some technical benefits of using avatars, too. Whilst video calls can often cut out or freeze if the internet connection is poor, avatars typically take up lower <a href=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/resources\/blogs\/improve-your-video-calls\/\">bandwidth<\/a>. This means that a video conference connection could be more stable and reliable when using an avatar.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. The fun factor!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, it\u2019s worth mentioning, avatars are fun! Don\u2019t take my word for it &#8211; all you need to do is to sit down in front of an avatar generator and see how much time you can spend customising and \u2018trying out\u2019 the different looks. They can be a great ice breaker and talking point during \u2018lighter\u2019 conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are the disadvantages of using avatars on a virtual call?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While avatars offer numerous advantages in virtual communication, such as personalization and engagement, they also come with some disadvantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1.<\/strong> <strong>Loss of non-verbal cues<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avatars often lack the subtlety of real-life nonverbal communication, such as facial expressions, gestures, and body language. Even when users are able to \u2018click to react\u2019 during a conversation or meeting, it cannot substitute the nuance of human movement This can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations during virtual interactions, as participants may struggle to convey or interpret emotions accurately. Also, there are a limited number of \u2018reactions\u2019 that an avatar can generate, meaning that opportunities to show genuine emotion and engagement are lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Lack of trust through decreased authenticity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avatars may not fully capture the authenticity of a person&#8217;s identity or appearance. Even with customization options, avatars may feel artificial or disconnected from the individual they represent, potentially impacting the sense of trust and rapport in virtual relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Distraction from main message<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avatars can be fun to use, but their novelty can be a distraction. If people are focusing too much on what they want their avatar to \u2018do\u2019 in reaction, there\u2019s a real likelihood that parts of the message they should be hearing are being lost.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Technical limitations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avatars may be subject to technical limitations, such as limited customization options, graphical glitches, or compatibility issues across devices. These technical constraints can detract from the overall user experience and hinder effective communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Inappropriateness of tone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the nature of the call or conversation, seeing an avatar instead of a human could come across as being wildly inappropriate. Imagine a very difficult call in which someone was delivering bad news to you. How would you feel if that was being delivered by an avatar? Sometimes, only human faces will do. Even though users can choose reactions for avatars, in most circumstances, avatars can \u2018move a little bit\u2019 on their own. This increases the chance of someone inadvertently giving an inappropriate reaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1014\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-30-at-10.07.40-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-30-at-10.07.40-1.png 1014w, https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-30-at-10.07.40-1-300x175.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Screenshot-2024-04-30-at-10.07.40-1-768x447.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1014px) 100vw, 1014px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Choosing a yawning motion might not give off the right message in your meeting!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When should I use an avatar on a virtual call?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although there are no set-in-stone rules about virtual calls, having your <a href=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/resources\/blogs\/virtual-communication-skills\/\">video camera on<\/a> will usually be the best option. This will allow other people in your meeting to see your body language and will help to give the ultimate clarity to your message, as well as increasing trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/insidetrack\/blog\/avatar-etiquette-how-microsoft-employees-are-using-avatars-for-microsoft-teams-in-their-meetings\/\">blog post<\/a>, Microsoft has explained the etiquette around how its employees use avatars in Teams meetings. At Microsoft, employees use avatars in more informal lunch-and-learn sessions, ideation sessions and weekly catch ups with colleagues on their immediate teams.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Never use avatars for one-on-one meetings, performance reviews or sensitive conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you do choose to use an avatar, be very considerate about which moves and reactions you display. Deliberately \u2018yawning\u2019 or giving a \u2018chef\u2019s kiss\u2019 during someone\u2019s presentation may seem fun to you, but unless you are absolutely certain about how your reaction will be interpreted, it may be wise to make your avatar move less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Best practice for online meetings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In most circumstances, joining an online meeting with your camera on will give you the best opportunity to communicate your message clearly and engage your audience, as people will be able to read your body language and facial expressions as well as hear your content.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make sure your camera height is adjusted to ensure your head, shoulders and hands are in the shot. Ensure there\u2019s enough light on your face so that the webcam can see you, and use an external microphone to give high quality sound.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you do feel self-conscious about your appearance or if you find it distracting, turn off your self view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The bottom line: use avatars sparingly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short, avatars are great fun to use on occasion. For a casual team meet up or something informal, they can lighten the atmosphere and break the ice. They can spark conversation and can increase engagement, but still lack that genuine human engagement that they are trying to emulate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve got the chance to appear as the real you, it\u2019s always going to be the better option: it\u2019s more transparent, more readable and ultimately, more human &#8211; and that\u2019s where the real engagement comes from.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Just when you thought you\u2019d got to grips with the technology for your online meetings, a new feature comes along that offers up yet another way to communicate. This time, that feature is using avatars on virtual calls.\u00a0 Avatars &#8211; or virtual representations of yourself &#8211; are becoming more common on video conferencing platforms as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":3506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[58,73,74,75],"class_list":["post-3505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blogs","tag-presentation-skills","tag-virtual-calls","tag-online-communication","tag-microsoft-teams"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Should you use avatars on virtual calls and videoconferences?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Should you use avatars on video calls and meetings? 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In this blog, we look at the advantages and disadvantages of using avatars.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/resources\/blogs\/should-you-use-avatars-on-virtual-calls\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Body Talk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-05-01T09:19:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-05-01T20:02:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Untitled-design-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jennifer Bartram\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jennifer Bartram\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/resources\/blogs\/should-you-use-avatars-on-virtual-calls\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/resources\/blogs\/should-you-use-avatars-on-virtual-calls\/\",\"name\":\"Should you use avatars on virtual calls and videoconferences?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/resources\/blogs\/should-you-use-avatars-on-virtual-calls\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/resources\/blogs\/should-you-use-avatars-on-virtual-calls\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Untitled-design-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-01T09:19:35+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-05-01T20:02:42+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.twentytwo.digital\/ukbodytalk\/#\/schema\/person\/cb2c12bc7cd59b2864baae43f170f582\"},\"description\":\"Should you use avatars on video calls and meetings? 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