Monday, June 24, 2013

Monday Meme: Proportional Challenge

Monday Meme: Avatar Shape

About six or seven months ago I altered my avatar to be more proportional, which changed a few things slightly. In general, the idea behind Deoridhe's shape is a classic hourglass with my height and face - which means my shoulders are often wider than the average Second Life woman, and my hips are (relatively) more narrow. I also tend toward a tiny, tight, rear end - which is also very unusual and has effected what rigged mesh clothing I can wear. She also has, and continues to have, a belly, which is also highly unusual (often clothing will have the shading of a belly, but will not have the shape of it). I really like trying to make proportional avatars, something rendered more difficult by how the Second Life basic mesh is itself non-proportional - arms are too short, legs are too long, hands and feet are odd (I'm using SLink mesh hands and feet here).

Strawberry's Monday Meme this week is about our measurements - the series of numbers than make us ourselves. I think these numbers also reveal a basic aesthetic (at least on a stable main), where body shape, length, and curves reveal what we find attractive and how that is pressed into the shared, virtual reality of Second Life.

Proportions Challenge Questions:
  1. Do you try and keep your avatar’s body proportionate and similar to the “average” proportions pictured in Strawberry's blogpost?
    Yes, it feels much more natural to me. The exceptions are all on my head - my head is larger than average, and my eyes are larger than average.

  2. What do you dislike the most about the SL avatar mesh?
    I really dislike how you can't easily be proportional. I wish alternative meshes would be made available so that you could modify, for example, the petite avatar, or a giant one. I like being different sizes, but it's hard to loose my face and body proportions.

  3. Does it bother you when you see other avatars that are not proportionate at all?
    Not really, though sometimes when the arms are very short and the legs are very long it gives me the giggles. I'm trying to be more open minded, though.

  4. Even though this is a virtual world and people can be anything they want to be, do you feel when they are in human form, they should try to keep their proportions close to average?
    I think Second Life should make it easier - and it's entirely possible they might be. I've been struck, lately, by some of the very quiet changes they're making. I'd love more proportional variety, too - it seems so much like people tend to tall and thin, and I'd love to see more easy variety.

5 comments:

  1. Despite the fact that one should not have to change shoulder width to fit mesh standard sizing, I've found that I have had to decrease my shoulder width so the clothes don't cut into my shoulders or armpits. I think one thing most women get wrong about a proportionate shape is having their shoulders be too narrow! Kudos to you for your hourglass shape - it's all about the curves!

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  2. Yes, shoulders are often overlooked. They need to be wider than the hips, though, so the arms fall naturally (unless you're aiming for an awkward mover). I actually want to try to make a bunch of different shapes, though; lean and flat can be awesome, too.

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  3. Your avatar is very close to average proportions, really well done!

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  4. Haa haa, I didn't really think about that.

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