Created by befunky.com

The word “Avatar” is used to describe an image, icon or other virtual representation of a person. Avatars can be quite fun to design and you don’t need Photoshop skills to get started! For this type of designing you just need the Internet and your favorite photo of your lovely mug. If you’ve got that covered, then you’ll soon be on your way to transforming your profile into a great looking cartoon-like custom caricature, uniquely you, for use on your blog, social networks, chat and more.

There are several choices online when creating your new custom avatar. Though some sites, like zwinky.com and mywebface.com have toolbar downloads as part of their free program use agreement, there are many that do not. For example, over at cartoon.pho.to, not only can you cartoon your face, but you can morph it with animated effects like a smile or a wink. And, at befunky.com, you can cartoon your photo, but why stop there? If you have some time, stay a while and try out their Inkify, OilPainting, Popart, Sketcher and a couple-dozen other design options.

Sometimes, you aren’t required to begin creating your avatar from a photo. If you feel comfortable winging it, you can cartoon yourself from scratch. Maybe you’ve always wanted to try out a new eye or hair color? Haha.. Now is your opportunity! At faceyourmanga.com, you start with basically just a head and customize from there. You can even add a background, clothes and makeup. A couple of other fun avatar design sites are doppelme.com and tektek.org/dream.

There are of course more out there and not too hard to find with a simple google search. Some will require registration before use and some even come with required software download as mentioned above. Some will cartoon your features mildly (from a photo) while others allow you to completely redesign your look from top to bottom. It really depends on the type of look you are after. Try a couple out, for the fun of it and see what you like.

These Google Buzz icons come in two sizes (Large: 132×131 and Small: 73×71) and a choice of four colors: black, blue, green and red.

Two samples of the “Black” display here:

All if the icons show here. Yes, they are transparent, just click the little thumb-sizes to view.

These are free to use and spread around. Just do not edit them or claim them as your own. Right-click to save to your own computer and upload to your own server. Please not hot-linking.. upload to your own webhost. Thanks and enjoy!

Twitter (twitter.com) is HUGE. This social network is growing by the minute, larger and faster than any social network in history. If you are following Twitter members, then you are more than likely being followed in return. That means your Twitter profile is being seen.. a LOT if you’re lucky!

If you don’t have some custom information posted on your Twitter profile, you are missing out on this free exposure! On a custom Twitter bg (background), you could post your website urls, other favorite social networks, your contact information, and more photos.

I offer custom Twitter bg design for just $10. Why not get your profile set up today? Example designs and purchase information can be viewed here.

Cost is just $10 per design, Example designs below in both Firefox and IE displays. More will be added soon.

CityBlues Design Preview, get it customized with your personal info!

Click the thumbnails to see larger preview:

Facebook boasts; “Starting at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Saturday, June 13, you’ll be able to choose a username on a first-come, first-serve basis for your profile and the Facebook Pages that you administer by visiting www.facebook.com/username/. You’ll also see a notice on your home page with instructions for obtaining your username at that time.”

Got yours picked out? I do.

With Retaggr, everything in one place. You have this free, one page site, for your contact info, and a gateway to all your online profiles and networks where your own content from those sites is automatically updated. I offer a couple of screen shots below.

My page includes my favorite networks, my flickr and picasa portfolios, my most current blog posts and even some of my favorite music, so it was difficult to get a screenshot to include it all. I had to break it up into two shots:

Click on the image to view larger version, or just visit my Retaggr page here and consider getting your own set up today.

Karlyns.com now offering personalized Twitter Background designs. The benefit of having your own custom designed Twitter background is that you can display content you choose, such as an alternate photo, other social network contact info, other websites you own, personal contact information, subscription list url and much more. See above example live: http://twitter.com/karlyn

Your Twitter Username:

Background Color Preferences?

Websites or Contact info URL #1

Websites or Contact info URL #2

Websites or Contact info URL #3

Websites or Contact info URL #4

The price is just $10 and Karlyn will personally custom design a unique Twitter background with the content of your choice. Use the PayPal button above to get started today! Be sure to include your email address (If different than your paypal one) so Karlyn can contact you within 24 hours of placing your oder. If you have a photo or other image you wish to be added to your background, you can send it as an attachment to Karlyn with your reply to her initial email.

Thank you! Happy Twittering!