Defying the Norm
I’ve always been captivated by the allure of rarity and distinctiveness, traits I noticed are deeply ingrained in generative Profile Picture (PFP) projects. Typically, this uniqueness is crafted by adding a mix of accessories, features, and attire to a cartoonish figure. However, with SINthesis, I decided to completely rethink the concept of rarity and distinctiveness. My approach was innovative: rarity was determined by the number of heads each piece had, while uniqueness came from the parts of these heads I chose to remove, letting the background fill in the gaps. I opted for frenzied glitch effects in the background, moving away from the typical monochromatic backdrops seen in many large mint PFP projects.
I also consciously chose to use a wide color spectrum for the SINthesis pieces, steering clear of the simplistic palettes commonly found in other large mint PFPs. Unlike traditional generative PFP projects where the character is the main attraction, SINthesis shifts the focus. Under my guidance, the background and the negative space became the avatars’ focal points, making the PFPs defined by what’s missing rather than what’s present.
The biggest challenge I encountered with SINthesis was maintaining a cohesive, signature aesthetic—a staple for PFP projects—while also breaking the norms. I managed to do this by consistently using the same mannequin head, a limited selection of negative space elements, and similar glitch effects for the backdrop.
This process led to the creation of a new kind of PFP character, one that conveys emotions through the elements and colors in the background and the negative space, instead of relying on the cartoon face and typical accessories like beanies and 3D glasses.