Creating an Avatar for my YouTube (V-Tuber) using Adobe Character Animator
Animation Test:
In recent years, there has been a spike in content creators, especially streamers, using Virtual Avatars that represent them instead of showing their faces. Some use hybrid systems where they sometimes show their face and sometimes use their Avatars. Even Pew Die Pie has jumped on this trend, but Japanese content creators mostly use it. These are called ‘VTubers’, which is short for Virtual YouTubers.
Despite its name, VTuber’s meaning is not restricted to using YouTube as a platform. Many VTubers use other platforms like Twitch, Facebook, or Nico Nico Douga for a more specific Japanese audience.
I wanted to create my own Avatar that can represent me when I don't feel like showing my face in videos. I am also interested in streaming in future, and setting up my character can allow for streams even on bad hair days.
Character Design:
This character is rigged as a puppet, and in Adobe Character Animator, it responds to my movements. For example, if I blink, the character blinks. This is done through the program, picking up my movements and sound through camera and microphone.
Background Design (for when there is no content in the stream and just a 'talking head')
Below is a test animation where I read the totally wacky and wonderful poem: The Jabberwocky by Lewis Carrol.
It's quite funny how I now can cite this poem word by word! If you even see me in person, I give you permission to challenge me to try to cite the whole poem on the spot!
Mood Boards:
This is such a fun process and I highly recommend you to try it out for yourself. I feel I succeeding in creating a lovely puppet and I can now have fun in streams and be proud of the Avatar I created for myself. There are also free template puppets you can use when starting out where you can play around with it before designing your own!
