Creating avatars that are loved worldwide - Do trending designs know no borders?

Honestly, I didn’t start out with a grand vision of becoming an avatar creator. Back in school, I used to draw fan art and occasionally sold fan-made merchandise at events similar to Comic Market in South Korea.

But around 2020, when the pandemic hit, offline events were no longer an option.

I was playing VRChat at the time, so I started tweaking existing avatars here and there for fun.

Eventually, I wanted to take things further, so I began teaching myself Blender. I had zero prior knowledge of 3D modeling, so I relied on YouTube tutorials and online resources to learn.

My first project was a 3D model of Negev, a character from Girls’ Frontline, because I was such a big fan. I launched my BOOTH shop by selling a fan-made 3D model of her (with all the proper permissions, of course).

My avatar designs are shaped by the things I personally love.

Most people probably haven’t noticed, but for example, Rindo was inspired by Dejiko from Di Gi Charat, and Imeris drew influence from Ganyu from Genshin Impact and Hanyuu from Higurashi When They Cry.

For Manuka, I was inspired by the traditional teahouse concept of Café LycoReco from Lycoris Recoil, so I designed her as a café manager.

Right now, there’s a trend toward flashy and detailed outfits, accessories, makeup, and even nails.

Personally, I’m not naturally drawn to that style, so I’ve been studying real-world fashion and makeup for inspiration.

I believe that cuteness will always win in the end, no matter what's trending! (laughs)

With social media making it so easy to access content from all over the world, I feel like we’re seeing the rise of a global “popular style” that transcends national borders.

Definitely the character design.

Since the goal is for as many people as possible to use the avatars, I try to avoid making their designs too unique.

Lately, I’ve been paying a lot of attention to facial proportions, but the body design still takes the most time.

A good example of this is Imeris. I received a lot of comments about her face, and as trends evolved, even I started feeling her design was slightly dated. So I tweaked her facial proportions to give her a more modern look.

These are challenges that anyone in this field might face.

When unexpected issues arise outside of the creative process, it’s tough to handle them all alone.

I’m not particularly resilient, so I’ve relied on the encouragement of those around me to get through it.

I’m also a pretty emotional person, but I try to stay calm and focus on finding solutions instead of dwelling on what’s already happened. For more severe cases, I’ve taken legal action, and thankfully, everything has been resolved this year.

The most common use outside VRChat is for VTuber activities. Many creators do both VRChat and VTuber work.

It’s likely because VRChat avatars are humanoid and highly customizable, making them easy to adapt for VTuber use. This flexibility has attracted a lot of users.

The two most important factors, regardless of region, are “versatile design” and “ease of customization.”

Since a base avatar will be owned and personalized by many people, it’s crucial to keep the design simple and flexible.

For Japanese creators looking to reach South Korean users, it’s worth noting that VTuber activities are just as popular as VRChat, so you should make sure to include clear Terms of Use that account for both purposes.

Honestly, the hardest part is simply starting.

This is true for any creative pursuit, but the most important thing is to start somewhere—anywhere—and see a project through to completion.

When it comes to 3D-related fields like avatar creation, the interface and tools can seem intimidating, making the barrier to entry feel high.

Yes, there are challenges, and I still have plenty to learn myself, but it’s essential to remember that software is just a tool—a means to express your ideas. If you approach it with this mindset, it becomes less daunting.

I didn’t receive formal training in 3D design, and I’m still learning as I go. Luckily, we have amazing free tools like Blender and countless tutorials and resources available on YouTube and the internet. 

Take your time and start slow. Don’t be afraid and don’t lose your curiosity!

I spend a lot of time observing and analyzing what makes a design “good.”

If your goal is to create commercial models, it’s important to remember that you’re not designing for a single individual but for a broad audience. You need to pay attention to trends and usability to make something that resonates with many people.

Personally, I make an effort to hold back my own individuality in my designs while constantly researching the latest trends.

I also don’t stop at just following trends; I ask myself, “Why do people like this?” and think deeply about what makes certain designs appealing.

I can’t say for sure if my approach is the right one, but this is how I work!