--- name: Avatar category: Images and icons keywords: - photo - profile - picture - thumbnail - default face - face picture - customer avatar - customer face - customer picture - business face - business picture - customer avatar - business avatar - customer thumbnail - business thumbnail --- # Avatar Avatars are used to show a thumbnail representation of an individual or business in the interface. --- ## Purpose Put the merchant first by identifying the problem they face and the component that helps them solve it. ### Problem A merchant may manage multiple businesses on Shopify or may have more than one person working in a store. ### Solution Avatars visually clarify the business or the person being represented at various locations in the interface. --- ## Best practices Avatars should be one of 3 sizes: * Small (32 x 32 px): use when the medium size is too big for the layout, or when the avatar has less importance * Medium (40 x 40 px): use as the default size * Large (60 x 60 px): use when an avatar is a focal point (e.g. on a single customer card) --- ## Content guidelines Any time you use an image to communicate a concept on Shopify, it’s important to use descriptive [alt text](/content/alternative-text). Doing this is important for [accessibility](/principles/accessibility) because it allows screen readers to describe what’s in the image to people who may not be able to see it. For avatars, we recommend using a format that describes what will show in the image: * `alt="Person’s name"` if the avatar represents a person * `alt="Business’s name"` if the avatar represents a business * `alt=""` if the name of the person/business appears next to the avatar as text ## Examples ### Default avatar Use to present an avatar for a merchant, customer, or business. ```jsx ``` --- ## Related components * To show a thumbnail for an object rather than a person or business, [use the thumbnail component](/components/images-and-icons/thumbnail)