Now that we’re neck-deep in the digital era, our online personalities, profiles, bios, and social media pages define us almost as much as what we do in our day-to-day lives. It’s never been more important to take control of how you’re portrayed online, and Appamatix is here with a resource for more cool profile pictures that you can use.
It’s one of those life lessons; everyone realizes it a different point in their lives, often for different reasons. If you don’t define yourself, someone will do it for you. This has never been a more relevant statement than right now. Can we even track the number of social media platforms, chat apps, online profiles, resume builders, and other digital technologies that want to have a hold on your identity? Look at those advertisements that pop up in the sidebars of websites that you visit. Somehow, advertisers know what you’d like to shop for, what you’ve been shopping for.
Online companies build personality profiles on you before you’ve even visited their storefront or web page. Now is the time to take control of who you are, wherever you are online, and part of that is finding a good profile picture (or twenty!) that suit you as an individual.
Now, just because we’re serious about taking control of how people see us doesn’t mean that we can’t afford to have a little fun in how it’s done. If you think you’ve got a pretty spot-on sense of humor that translates exceptionally well, maybe you need a funny profile picture! Or, if you want to make a statement against the reality of the digital culture we live in, maybe you’ll grab a picture that has some anonymity, mystery, or ambiguity to it. Maybe you’re getting hot under the collar for the next big thing in gaming, and you want your profile picture to let everyone know it (Overwatch, anyone?)
No matter who you are, no matter your motives, most platforms are going to require a profile picture from you, and leaving it blank just looks lazy. So, unless you’re really adamant about posting your lovely mug as a profile picture wherever you go, let’s have a look at some cool profile picture ideas, and furthermore, point you to where you can find more!
Finding Good Profile Pictures
Finding a good profile picture doesn’t have to be difficult, but once you get lost in a sea of options, it can be damn hard to pick the pic that speaks to you the most! There’s no reason that you only have to choose one, of course. Like I said above, there are so many social media platforms and apps out there that require a profile picture, you could cycle through twenty and not get bored.
I always start broad, and then narrow my search down. The best place to start for a profile picture search is the same place that you start any search: Google. Hop on over to Google Images and try to search for some of your favorite themes, topics, or subjects! Tack on “profile picture” at the end of your search if you want to get really specific, but either way, you’ll likely be surprised at the number of results that you turn up.
Maybe you’re sick of using Google for absolutely everything (that’s me, some days). If you want an alternative place to search for great profile pictures, try giving Pinterest a whirl. What makes this place such an effective place to search is that you can “pin” anything that you happen to like, without having to save it to your computer’s hard drive. Just sign up for a free account, hand over your email address, and you can make your searches much more productive. Additionally, it will give you one more place to upload a picture, if you want your Pinterest profile to look spiffy!
Cute!
Hey, we’ve all been there–trying to take that damned selfie has only resulted in an hour of wasted time and a camera roll full of shots that you’d like to burn…if only they weren’t digital. An alternative solution? As long as you don’t need a picture of yourself, you can browse a wide selection of cute profile pictures! Nobody ever said that you need a perfect picture of yourself on every digital platform you have a profile on. Go wild!
You know what says ‘love?’ Hearts. You know what else? Flowers. One step further? The color red.
In case anyone in your life didn’t know that you’re a romantic at heart, hit them right, square in the feels with something like this, and leave nothing to doubt. Whether you’re in a relationship, looking to be in one, or are simply in love with yourself (go you!), this is a cute way to bring a little bit of emotion to everyone’s perception of you.
Dear, sweet summer child, don’t wade carelessly into the war of dogs versus cats. Instead, just slap on a profile picture that speaks to your love of all cute things…like this playful pup and his pink shades.
Ditto above, for cat people! Let everyone else do the dogs vs. cats thing, while you revel in these adorable eyes.
Hey, just because we’re being cute doesn’t mean you can’t make a statement. A little bit of peace, love, and understanding can go a long way.
Hey sleepyhead, don’t lose the day! There are quite a few current efforts to start a sleep revolution, so why not let your profile join in?
Super Profile
Been to the theaters lately? Turn on the television? As long as it wasn’t to hear the sad news that Marvel’s Agent Carter has been canceled, you’ve no doubt been informed that superheroes are in! It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Marvel, DC, or somewhere in between, there’s a wave of pop culture relevance that’s exploding out of the comic book scene and leading to some pretty damned good movies! Why not let everyone know your favorite personality with your profile picture? (After all, nerdy is the new cool…)
Batman’s storied history is at once brooding and energetic, heroic and tragic. As one of the best known comic book superheroes, you should be honored to have the caped crusader on your profile.
Supes has seen quite a few different movies made about him over the past few years, but he has always had a classic place in the comic book world. He’s iconic, and if you use him for your profile picture, you can convey a little bit of the selfless courage that he’s known for.
Diana Prince. The Wonder Woman. It doesn’t matter what you identify as; if you bring Wonder Woman onto your profile, you’ll be showcasing a comic book personality who can rival Superman in heroic demeanor.
Look, we’re all in love with RDJ’s lovely performance as Tony Stark, but the Iron Man character has been around for a hell of a long time. Ingenuity, courage, and wit in an airtight metal case. He deserves a place on your profile as much as any comic book hero.
Spider…Gwen? That’s right. Move over Peter Parker, because alternate-reality Gwen Stacy is the one that’s been moving comics off the shelves for more than a year, now. She’s an up-and-coming fan favorite. Strong, beautiful, and just as kick-ass as Spider-Man, she’s a prime candidate to showcase your fondness of all things heroic on your profiles.
Memes!
Memes have evolved from an occasional internet-inspired chuckle to an entire media language. Browse any popular forums or gallery (Imgur, Reddit, I’m looking at you) and you’ll find people that can practically speak fluently to each other by firing memes back and forth.
As you might imagine, this popularity has flooded the web with memes that you can use as a profile picture, but most are best left up to interpretation. Feeling brave? Take a peek through these 15 gems…
Make a Statement
Maybe humor isn’t your style, and you’d rather make a statement. The internet is rife with important, serious discussions, and commentary about the world that’s unfolding all around us. Without going too overboard, here is a handful of profile pictures that will help you to bring a little bit of meaning to your profile.
The face of Anonymous, the collective of hackers and activists that fight for a variety of causes. They are the vigilantes, the real-life underground heroes who champion causes that might not otherwise receive justice or attention through the mainstream media. No matter your feelings about Anonymous, it’s hard to argue against what they stand for.
A job market is a tough place. Whether you’ve been navigating those waters for a while, or you’re fresh on the market, trying to break into any particular niche or type of work can feel like beating your head against a wall. Sum up your feelings in a powerful way!
Inspiration can come in many forms, but language always seems to speak truth better than anything else. A quote can both reflect your outlook on life, as well as affect change in the people who visit your profile! Pick a quote that speaks to you, and then use it to speak to the world.
Of course, the most influential quotes are going to come from well-known people and personalities. Use words that have been said before to embody something that you believe in, be it a perspective or an idea!
The web can turn up all kinds of treasure if you’re looking for a profile pic, but knowing what to look for–and having a good idea of what you want–can help you to find one that suits you much better than you otherwise might. Are you looking for a personality? Fictional or historical? A quote? Well-known or ambiguous, obscure? Figuring out what kind of emotion you’d like your profile to convey can help you to find more than a hundred cool, applicable pics to choose from, no matter where you choose to search. If you like the pictures above, or have a way to find more, comment and share!
