Microsoft
Unified Avatar System

Role: Art direction, Design system
Company: Microsoft
Collaborators: Microsoft design + engineering teams, Tendril

At Microsoft, we have a biannual FHL (Fix, Hack, Learn) week—a dedicated time for designers, engineers, and project managers to pause their daily projects and dive into something that excites them. It’s a chance to fix overdue issues, learn new skills, or explore entirely new ideas.

During the most recent FHL week, I spearheaded a week-long sprint bringing together multiple design teams with a shared mission: to create a unified avatar system for M365. The sprint was an incredible opportunity to collaborate across disciplines, push creative boundaries, and envision a future where personal identity in M365 feels unified, dynamic, and distinctly Microsoft.

A Fractured System

The M365 ecosystem currently offers fragmented and inconsistent avatar management, with each app operating independently (as seen in the image above). Our goal was to unify design and code, allowing users to update their avatar in one app, like Teams, and have it automatically reflect across all Microsoft experiences. Additionally, we aimed to enhance the visual experience by introducing distinct Microsoft avatars and enabling personalized creations through generative AI, fostering a cohesive and seamless identity across platforms.

As the project lead, I organized a week-long sprint that united multiple design and engineering teams, breaking down silos and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration. I structured the sprint to emphasize rapid ideation and seamless teamwork, incorporating continuous feedback loops to refine concepts in real-time. This dynamic, cross-disciplinary approach unlocked innovative ideas and built strong momentum toward a cohesive and impactful solution.

Creative Direction

Before creating the avatar library, we defined a set of key design attributes to guide our visual direction. These attributes ensure the library remains cohesive, aligns with Microsoft’s brand identity, and provides a clear framework for collaboration with external agencies, serving as their creative brief for future library expansions:

• Human: Avatars should feel relatable, personal, and evoke emotional connection.
  
  
• Vibrant: They should exude energy and positivity, sparking a sense of passion, purpose, and forward momentum.
  
  
• Dimensional: By incorporating depth and perspective, avatars should inspire a sense of hope and potential, offering a fresh way of seeing the world.
  

• Universal: The library must support a wide range of expressions, allowing users to showcase their individuality while fostering connection with a diverse, global audience.

These attributes serve as the foundation for a library that is not only visually striking but also resonates emotionally with users, reinforcing Microsoft’s mission to empower everyone to achieve more.

Creating a Library

Our journey in creating an “unmistakably Microsoft” avatar library began with strategically categorizing the design options we could explore. These ranged from literal representations, like objects and nature, to highly abstract forms. The purpose of defining these categories was to create a library that was both focused and inclusive—offering enough diversity for millions of Microsoft users to see themselves reflected in the global Microsoft ecosystem. Prioritizing a sense of belonging was central to our approach, as we anticipated that fostering inclusivity and representation would significantly enhance user engagement and connection with the platform.

Storytelling

In developing the avatar library, we prioritized embedding storytelling as a foundational element. This allows users to use their avatars as dynamic expressions of their identity—whether reflecting their status, celebrating milestones, or marking significant events. By giving avatars the ability to evolve and adapt to different contexts, we not only infuse them with personality but also create a platform for users to showcase their individuality in a meaningful and engaging way. This approach transforms the avatar system into a versatile, expressive tool that deepens user connection and engagement.

Generative AI

To complement the development of an “unmistakably Microsoft” avatar library, we explored empowering users to create personalized avatars using generative AI. Collaborating closely with the Designer app team, we proposed a feature where users could craft unique avatars through AI-driven prompts.  This approach not only enhances creative expression but also deepens user engagement and reinforces a sense of individuality within the Microsoft ecosystem, driving a more connected and personalized experience.

Impact

Through user testing of both AI avatars and the avatar library, the feedback has been extremely positive. In studies conducted, user engagement has more than doubled in the creation of avatars. Users have also responded positively to the various options of avatar style—whether they are more literal or completely abstract. 

Although this project had an ambitious goal at the beginning of the FHL week and was mean to be “proof of concept”, it has been something that the Microsoft Design team has taken on as a project to be completed that will be released to customers soon. 

The sprint process I developed has become a significant success of this project. It has been adopted by multiple teams as a framework for their initiatives, and I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with and lead these teams through their sprints, driving alignment and impactful results across projects.