Publication

In modern society, our identities extend beyond the names and faces we present in real life. The development of the online world has provided us with the opportunity to shape new selves in the digital realm. From daily sharing on Facebook to creating unique avatars in the metaverse, virtual spaces influence how we present ourselves and alter how we interact with others. We traverse different platforms, engaging with the world through diverse forms of identity—sometimes as an extension of our authentic selves, and, at other times, as a means of concealment.

Our online identities reflect the transformations of our era and our emotional needs. Early online platforms offered users a space for anonymous communication. These anonymous forums fostered a unique social atmosphere: free from the constraints of real-life names; users could express thoughts and feelings openly. The anonymity provided a sense of security even facilitated more genuine interactions.

With the rise of Facebook and Instagram in the 2000s, the virtual and real boundaries began to blur. People started presenting themselves online using their real names and photographs, transforming online life from an anonymous domain into an extension of real life. These social platforms encouraged individuals to curate and idealise their images — posts and photos meticulously edited, with every shared moment seemingly needing perfect. The "likes" and comments became new forms of social currency, impacting self-identity. At times, this feedback not only satisfied social needs but also validated self-worth. People create and reaffirm their social identity through their friend's network — a form of peer group influence and create "stickiness" to this user-generated platform. People are becoming more vocal and sharing images, thoughts, and ideas to find, refine, redefine and affirm their society's identity, which is given, compromised, but not in-born.  

In such an environment, new users have begun to rethink how they present themselves. Recently, text-based platforms like Threads have emerged, encouraging more sincere modes of expression. Young people are moving away from pursuing aesthetically pleasing images to share immediate feelings and everyday details through words. Although Threads is linked to Instagram accounts, its conversational atmosphere resembles a "semi-anonymous" community — where identity is less important than the feelings and resonances that emerge from genuine exchanges. The short messages like X using very limited characters create a mixture of the short form, colloque, images, icons, memes and emojis as instant communicative messages with extended meanings of jargon, such as the multiple meanings of giving out a "like" or thumb up, etc. The self-image online sometimes may not align with one's identity offline; the constructed identity always confuses others and the writers themselves. Thus, self-identity becomes blurred.

For this generation, social media is no longer merely a stage for showcasing; it has become a place for seeking authentic communication. These platforms offer a newfound freedom — free from the constraints of external packaging and no longer bound by the number of likes or followers.

Balancing Virtual Identities and Real Selves

The emergence of the metaverse has further propelled the transformation of virtual identities. People are no longer satisfied with simply showcasing themselves
in reality; they are exploring the possibilities of redefining themselves in the digital realm. In the metaverse, we can transcend geographical and real-life limitations to
experiment with entirely new identities. We may add more of the hybrid of virtual and product design to meet customer consumption needs and make them unique online.
For instance, luxury brands like Gucci and Balenciaga have started hosting virtual fashion shows and releasing NFT collections in the metaverse, creating a new landscape in
the fashion world. It fosters brands to empower one's social identity both on Reality and Virtuality – a balancing art nowadays in the transformative design world. These virtual events are entertainment and allow individuals to find new value within a digital environment.

Moreover, the virtual game "Second Life" is a classic example. In "Second Life", users can create personal avatars while engaging in commercial transactions and design products using virtual currency, Tilia. Within this digital community, many have found a sense of belonging that is often unattainable in real life. Whether creating virtual shops, attending virtual concerts, or simply forming genuine emotional connections with strangers, the essence of these virtual interactions is often an extension of self-exploration.

However, creating these identities also presents new challenges: amidst increasingly complex digital identities, how do we avoid losing ourselves? Some individuals may gradually detach from real life in pursuit of an idealised virtual persona, even falling into a state of "escaping reality". Virtual identity should not be a tool for escaping reality but rather an extension of self-exploration. We need to find a balance between the real and the virtual to live our true selves.

Self-Exploration in a Multi-faceted Identity

The evolution of the digital world has granted us unprecedented flexibility in our identities. We can embody specific roles in real life while simultaneously crafting entirely new personas in virtual spaces. However, the true challenge lies in discovering the core self amidst these multifaceted identities.

From anonymous forums to the idealised images of Instagram, and immersive interactions in the metaverse, our digital identities resemble a constantly evolving journey. This journey is not merely about finding ways to present ourselves; it also offers opportunities to explore our innermost needs. Some may find confidence in the virtual world, while others establish deep emotional connections with others through social platforms. These experiences remind us that self-exploration does not have a standard answer; finding our unique balance among different identities matters.

"You don't need a corporation or a marketing company to brand you now: you can do it yourself. You can establish who you are with a social media following." RAY ALLEN

Regardless of where we choose to express ourselves, maintaining authenticity is crucial. Only then can we establish meaningful existences in this interwoven world of reality and virtuality. The self is not merely a collection of roles but the sum of how we connect with others and how we experience life. This connection, whether in reality or virtually, is at the heart of our existence.

Reflection and Future Outlook

The rapid advancement of the digital world has made our lives increasingly intertwined with virtual identities. This interweaving presents new opportunities for self-expression while posing fresh challenges. We need not only to adapt to new technologies but also to engage in self-reflection throughout our journey of multifaceted identity. The future will see an even more excellent blending of the real and the virtual, and our task will be to learn how to navigate this duality.

Perhaps the answer lies not in which identity we choose but in how we allow these identities to enrich one another, making our lives more completed. In the space between the virtual and the real, we are not merely showcasing ourselves; we are continually creating and reshaping our identities. This is an endless exploration, and each of us is an adventurer on this journey. Make it loud and clear how designers can help to construct one’s identity in physical and virtual space.