Essential Questions

• What is special to you and about you?
• What is important to you?
• How can these things come together as a visual representation of you?
• How will creating and using a visual representation of yourself help someone online relate to your life and get to know you?

Gather your thoughts and create an avatar/icon

1. On paper, write, map or draw what is essential about you. In the center of a piece of paper, draw a large outline of your favorite shape. Around the outside of the shape, write the answers to these questions:

Option 1: Use Google Docs Drawing (Screencast by Evelyn S from BASH)

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Option 2: Jump In at Splashup.com

2. Either "Jump Right In" or Sign up/Sign in at http://www.splashup.com/ and Click Edit Images.

Alternatives include (These all require downloading and installation unlike splashup which is web-based):

Gimp (http://www.gimp.org)

Pixen (http://opensword.org/Pixen/)

Paint.net (http://www.getpaint.net/index.html)

If you choose: "Jump Right In" you'll get a floating window workspace ready for you to start

• File --> New Image
• Name: FirstNameAvatar
• Width: 480 Height: 600.
• OK

3. Explore several different ways to create a background layer. Try all of these before you decide how you want to make your final background.

• You will see the following panels: Tools, Info, Color, Layers
• In Tools: One at a time, click on the Box, Circle, and Polygon
  • Change the color.
  • Drag your cursor from the top left to the bottom right corner.
• Click the Gradient
  • Add and change colors in the Colors panel
  • Click on the Image and drag until you see colors
  • Click Radial
  • Click anywhere in the image, and drag your mouse, while holding the left button
• Click Marker, Line, Pencil, and/or Brush
  • Draw and paint using different colors.
  • Explore the different options (especially under the Paintbrush).
• Use Filters on the top menu
  • Choose your favorite two colors for the Foreground and Background colors.
  • Click Clouds in the Fiters.
  • Try the other Filter options.

4. (Optional) Use the Text tool to type your name.

• Format: size, color, font
• Click on the image area to insert your text
  • Notice that a new layer is created each time you click.
  • Find out how to add and delete layers in the lower right box.
• Choose the move icon (arrow) to place your text exactly where you want it.
• Click "Apply Move" In the Options box. (If you don't do this last step, the program will freeze and you'll loose your work.)

Save

5. Save your work to your computer or flash drive

• File > Save Image > My Computer >Save
• It will say JPG
• Click Save
  • A window will pop up with your hard drive
  • Choose a location
  • Add .jpg to the Name of your file.
  • Click Save
  • A Pop-Up will say "wait"
  • Then the Pop-Up will say "Save Complete"
  • Click OK

Upload a photo... to your Profile Photo

6. Add your image as your Avatar on your Profile on Youth Voices.

• Login
• Go to Member Home
• Click My Profile, then Edit
• Find Picture and upload the image you saved in #5 above.
• Click Save