Stylized avatars: Empathy through design

Our avatars – as diverse as your target groups: realistic, likeable, and flexible.

On this page you can find out what is important when developing our avatars – from design to inclusion principles.

Gruppenbild mit vielfältigen KI-Avataren unterschiedlicher Herkunft, Geschlechter und Berufsrollen – von Business-Outfit bis Barista-Look.

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Overcoming language barriers in over 100 languages

Reduced workload and optimised workflows

Our avatars are more than just animated characters – they are digital personalities that engage, support, and guide people.
But how do you design an avatar that evokes sympathy, builds trust, and resonates with diverse target audiences?

One key factor is the visual style: Should an avatar look as realistic as possible – or be deliberately stylized?
We answer this question with care. Because between technology, ethics, and user perception lies a sensitive design space – one we consciously bring to life.

Why we focus on style instead of Deepfake

Deepfake refers to a technology that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create deceptively realistic, manipulated images, videos, or audio recordings.
This approach is increasingly used in the field of digital avatars to generate hyper-realistic representations of real people – complete with facial expressions and speech.

As impressive as this realism may seem, it can quickly become unsettling.
Many people find such avatars eerie or unnatural – a reaction known as the Uncanny Valley effect.
That’s why at Humanizing, we deliberately choose stylized avatars in a comic-inspired design: …

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They appear more approachable, more likeable, and foster emotional connection.
Our characters are intentionally designed to follow the baby schema – featuring large eyes, soft contours, and clear facial expressions. This creates trust and a natural first contact – whether on a screen, at a service point, or via smartphone.

Our stylized avatars are not just a design choice – they follow a clear design philosophy with psychological and practical benefits.

Especially in public or institutional settings – such as banks, hospitals, transit hubs, or government offices – digital figures must feel trustworthy without creating emotional distance.
This is where the strength of a simplified, comic-inspired style truly shines: It enables identification without imitating real people or risking cultural misunderstandings.

Moreover, our avatars can be adapted to a wide range of audiences – whether young or old, traditional or modern, with or without visible religious attributes.
Thanks to this cultural flexibility, we ensure representation without reinforcing stereotypes.

From a technical standpoint, our approach offers clear advantages:
Stylized avatars are more resource-efficient and perform better than high-resolution deepfake models – making them ideal for real-time applications on displays, tablets, or the web. They offer maximum creative freedom with minimal user barriers.

In short: Our avatars don’t just create connection – they build a respectful, accessible, and sustainable bridge between people and technology.

Advantages of human-like avatars

The comic-inspired style offers more than just creative freedom and cultural neutrality – it enables clear, positive, and memorable communication.
Thanks to their stylized design, emotions, functions, and character roles become instantly recognizable – without needing to mimic real-life appearance in every detail.

By deliberately avoiding hyperrealistic visuals, we also sidestep ethical challenges such as identity misuse or unrealistic expectations around digital interactions.

This approach is not only a design decision – it’s backed by psychological and functional insights.
Numerous scientific studies show that stylized avatars often outperform hyperrealistic ones – especially in terms of user acceptance, emotional connection, and perceived accessibility.

Here’s a selection of key research findings that support this approach:

Avoidance of alienation effects

The so-called Uncanny Valley theory (Mori, 2012) suggests that hyperrealistic representations, which appear almost—but not quite—real (e.g., due to subtle inconsistencies in movement or facial expressions), often trigger a psychological sense of discomfort or rejection in viewers.

In contrast, comic-style avatars avoid this effect entirely, as they don’t aim for perfect realism. Their stylized nature creates emotional distance in a positive way, allowing users to interact more comfortably and openly.
Studies have shown that comic avatars promote authentic, positive interactions and help users feel at ease—without the unease caused by unrealistic details.

Emotional connection and sympathy

A study by Smedley et al. (2018) found that cartoon-style characters in virtual environments foster a stronger emotional connection with users.
Participants who interacted with comic-style avatars reported feeling closer and more empathetic toward the characters compared to those engaging with hyperrealistic representations. This effect is primarily attributed to the simplified and idealized nature of cartoon designs, which promote a more human, approachable, and less detached user experience.

Accessibility and comprehensibility

A study by Jorge Peña (UC Davis) and Seung-Chul Yoo (2014) found that avatar design and cognitive load significantly influence how users perceive trust and approachability in virtual environments.

Simplified, stylized avatars with clear visual signals were seen as more trustworthy and easier to interpret, especially when cognitive load was low.

While not focused solely on comic-style avatars, the study highlights that intentional, reduced design helps users feel more comfortable and connected, making interactions more intuitive and emotionally effective.

Easier identification

In domains like gaming and virtual environments, several studies have shown that comic-style avatars resonate particularly well with younger and more creative audiences.
For example, a study by Yee et al. (2009) found that stylized, less realistic avatars significantly increased user satisfaction and identification with their characters in online games.

Players reported that it was easier to connect with comic-style avatars and to express their personality and emotions within the virtual world. The stylized design provided a safe and creative space for self-expression—free from the constraints or expectations of realistic human representations.

Diversity with personality – Standard avatars and customized characters

Our stylized avatars take communication to a new, emotional level – whether on a screen, at a terminal, or on the web.
Even our standard avatars cover a wide range of use cases: whether in banking, check-in, reception, wayfinding, or digital consulting – they are ready to use, accessible, and can be combined with a variety of functions.

For even more brand identity and creativity, we also offer the option to design custom avatars – tailored to your company, audience, or story.

With our Avatar Builder, you can personalize our standard avatars — for example, by customizing skin tone, hairstyle, clothing, and accessories. You can even add your logo to the clothing. In just a few steps, this creates a digital character that perfectly fits your target audience or use case – whether it’s for a reception area, self-service terminal, or your website.

For companies seeking a fully custom avatar or a digital brand mascot – such as a talking animal, Santa Claus, or a unique superhero – we offer the exclusive design of bespoke avatars. These are developed specifically for your brand, product, or communication strategy, and are entirely unique in look and feel.

Audio personalization is just as important: voice, speech rate, pitch, and accent can all be adapted to ensure maximum recognition and emotional impact.

This way, an avatar becomes much more than a digital face – it becomes an authentic personality of your brand: charming, approachable, and unmistakably unique.

More info about the Avatar Builder

Conclusion: Avatars That Connect — Not Confuse

Our stylized avatars combine technology with emotional accessibility. They are intuitive, inclusive, and relatable — across industries, age groups, and cultures. Choosing not to use hyperrealistic deepfakes isn’t a limitation—it’s a deliberate design and ethical choice.

Whether it’s a standard avatar or a fully customized character, our digital assistants bring personality, recognizability, and trust to your communication.

Curious which avatar fits your brand? Let’s talk—we’re happy to support you.