Posted by Schema on behalf of the Learner Engagement Product Subgroup. Original concept by Raccoon Gang.
Overview
The current Open edX profile and avatar system is limited to basic image upload or a static default placeholder. This feature idea proposes a set of incremental, platform-wide improvements to how user identity is represented, including initials-based fallback avatars, randomized background colors drawn from the platform’s design palette, and curated default avatar sets, so that every user has a meaningful visual identity out of the box.
Problem
When a learner or instructor has not uploaded a profile photo, Open edX displays a generic static placeholder that provides no sense of identity or personalization. This is increasingly out of step with modern platform expectations (Google, Slack, GitHub, Canvas all render initials or assigned avatars as defaults), and it makes community spaces like forums and course dashboards feel impersonal. There is currently no configurable fallback that instances can tune to match their branding or community style.
Use Cases
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As a learner who hasn’t uploaded a profile photo, I need an automatically generated avatar with my initials so that I feel represented in course discussions and my profile looks complete from day one.
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As a learner, I need to be able to choose between my initials, a color background, a curated default avatar, or my own uploaded photo so that I can express my identity in a way that feels right for me.
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As an instructor, I need a consistent and recognizable visual identity across forums, dashboards, and course cards so that learners can easily identify my presence in the platform.
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As a platform administrator, I need to be able to configure a set of default avatar collections for my instance so that unset profiles still feel on-brand and welcoming for my community.
Proposed Solution
Implement a phased set of improvements to the profile avatar system, focused initially (Phase 1) on core platform defaults that apply to all instances out of the box:
Phase 1:
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Initials Fallback: When no profile photo is set, generate an avatar displaying the user’s initials with a randomly assigned background color drawn from the platform’s established design palette.
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Random Background Color Assignment: A curated set of accessible, on-brand colors is configured at the platform level and randomly assigned to initials avatars on account creation.
Future phases:
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Default Avatar Sets: Allow platform instances to upload and configure collections of default avatars (e.g., illustrated characters or icons, similar to Google Drive’s anonymous animal avatars). In multi-tenant contexts, individual sites can override the instance defaults.
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User Choice: Provide users with the ability to select among their initials (with assigned color), a default avatar from the curated set, or their own uploaded photo.
Note on scope: This feature idea covers a Phase 1 (core platform improvements). More advanced capabilities, such as themed/emoji-style pickers, external avatar service integrations (Dicebear, Gravatar, UI Avatars), and optional gamified avatar progression (unlockable sets, avatar leveling), are out of scope for this idea.
Supporting Data
Competitive landscape (from draft proposal):
| Feature | Platforms that support it |
|---|---|
| Initials fallback | Google, Slack, Canvas, Figma |
| Random avatar assignment | Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Github (Identicons), |
| Themed pickers / default sets | WhatsApp, Discord, Bitmoji, Claude |