Genies Is Culture’s Hottest Go-To Digital Identity Destination

Beyond the Interface The fashion-tech series explores next-generation designers and artists in Web3’s vibrant industry. The series offers an inside look at the most promising names in the digital ecosystem and explores the radical changes that are challenging all creative practices.

Hypebae spoke to Akash Nigam (founder and CEO) for the second installment. Genies, the industry’s best avatar-building platform. Nigan led us through Genies’ journey, explained why the metaverse shouldn’t be called this way, and showed us how Web3 can be very identity-affirming.

Imagine if your parents had said a few years back that it was easy to get a hair cut, a manicure or hot pink eye contact. It’s possible to imagine what they would have said if they had told your a few years back that you would desire those things. Our identity is becoming more abstract. We now have both a physical and digital identity. We all have heard of it. metaverse, NFT, crypto We don’t fully understand many other words. The world of Web3 Although it feels complex, inaccessible and esoteric at times, it is extremely liberating when done right.

Digital ecosystems are changing how we see ourselves and portray ourselves. It may be that it is finally allowing everyone to see that human identity is in constant flux. It is changing the way that we feel, perceive, reflect, and present our senses of self. The lines between URL identities and IRL identities are blurring. Web3 views identity not as a gender, but as a dimension. Genies came up with the idea of a new coded selves, which is human’s next evolutionary step.

Genies is a platform that allows people to express themselves through digital avatars. It was established in 2017 and has been going strong ever since. Genies is open for everyone, no matter what avatar you choose. Gen-Z describes Genies as “culture’s digital identity,” and Genies is a self-serve platform that allows users to express themselves according to their inner thoughts. Users can make and edit fashion pieces using the “Cut N’ Mix” program. The platform has also created “The Warehouse”, an avatar wearable NFT marketplace, where creativity is unlimited.

Scroll down for our interview with Akash Nigam.

First, could you introduce Genies? Who is beyond the Genies interface, then?

Genies is an avatar tool company that empowers people to create and manage their own avatar ecosystems. We started by creating avatars digital for celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Cardi BAnd J BalvinHowever, our vision is to give control back to individual creators via self-serve apps and creator tools. Genies’ ecosystem will allow anyone to create a business or fashion brand, as well as a destination. Genies believes avatars are a form of communication that can also be used to express emotions. Genies currently has 150 employees who are based out of Los AngelesWhere engineers and technical artists created the anatomy and controls of a Genie, it allows people to create their avatars and participate in the ecosystem.

Genies was recently worth over $1 billion USD. What were your top three factors in transforming your digital startup into a leading avatar technology company?

Our natural focus and disciplined approach is centered on making avatars a means of communication for the right audiences, allowing them express themselves and to connect with other like-minded individuals. We see Gen-Z as what we call the “cool kids” on the internet. This includes a lot Hypebae’s followers and readers. Talking about Euphoria characters is a common point of reference if I’m speaking to anyone in culture. This perspective helps people see exactly what we’re trying to accomplish. This has helped us to create a roadmap and technology that support our audience and their specific use cases.

The people who popularize new social methods are the ones who are most innovative. They want to make new connections and are more likely to do so than others. They don’t have as many emotional connections or experiences as those who have been around longer. Gen-Z was probably born in a completely different environment than I was. Gen-Z sees every billboard as a TikTok and every commercial sound is a TikTok sound. To express themselves in this new context, they need more than text — an avatar seems very fitting.

Genies seems to prefer the term “Avatar Ecosystem”, over “Metaverse,” I believe. Would you be able to elaborate on this and tell me why it is less restrictive to use the first one.

Metaverse, I believe, is a term that was invented by media to convince people that the future exists only in a virtual world. They’re not recognizing the importance of freedom. This concept resonates strongly with Gen-Z and is gaining momentum. All of them would have to leave TikTok and Instagram tomorrow. They depend on the content they produce. People don’t want to live in Meta 3.0. They want to be free to create their own universe. Talking about avatar ecosystems is not about “Avatar Ecosystems Vs. Metaverse”, but rather how we don’t want the Genieverse to exist. We want to make tools that allow people create their own universe. We believe avatar ecosystems can help to better define the world where people can create their own avatar ecosystem. These can be separated into fashion and collectibles as well as spaces and experiences.

How can Web3 be used by younger generations to assert their identity and identities?

Communication has changed over the years. It began with pen and paper, but eventually moved to telephone calls, the internet, social media, and online. It all comes down to the environment in which we were raised and the tools we have to express ourselves. Today, this context is Roblox, TikTok, and the constant digital immersion. An avatar is a great starting point. We don’t have to live within physical constraints. We can reinvent ourselves at any time based on what our emotions are.

Genies just launched “The Warehouse” What are the opportunities for users to show their creativity while connecting with other like-minded individuals?

We offer tools that will allow you to create any avatar ecosystem you desire. This also includes a marketplace that allows you to display your most valuable and newest collections, which can be accessed by others. It doesn’t seem to be a one-way street. You can purchase one of the creations (which technically is an NFT), and then you can modify it to your liking. This collaboration will bring out the community aspect. I’m returning to my initial point. While we don’t want to control and create our metaverse, it is important that we empower everyone to have the tools they need to create the future of the internet.

What’s so special about Genies avatars?

Since 2017, we have been creating avatars. We have a strong technology that can help create avatars. Over the years, they have also become the most loved avatar by tastemakers and celebrities. We have adopted 99% percent of the celebrity avatar market share. In particular, we signed deals with UMG & WMG to be the official avatar and digital products provider for all talent within those umbrellas.

How can Genies help Web3 creativity to be understood and explored?

While digital craftsmanship can be understood through web2, it is not yet being realized in web3. It is my belief that this will be the next area of entrepreneurship. As people become more digitally connected and more digitally literate, they begin to see the opportunities that are available. TikTok was the age when influencing was possible. People began to create businesses from their own lives. As people find like-minded individuals by creating avatar ecosystems, I believe we will see the same thing with them. They will also be more creative and skilled in creating these ecosystems.

Sometimes Web3 and digital art can seem complicated and difficult to understand. How was it to create a platform that Gen-Z could use easily? Genies’ visual aesthetic is my favorite — it feels Web2 nostalgia but Web3 modern.

Most people associate web3 with NFTs, crypto and the metaverse. However, it’s important to think around and acknowledge the relatability and actual nerves of what Gen-Z wants when they think about connecting with other individuals. Genies is more an expression tool and art form than something that can be monetized. Our mission is to empower people to be authentic and to swing the pendulum to authenticity over money-making. We were able to create the right platform and prioritise our users over our business model.

Why is Genies so committed to promoting empowerment, freedom of expression and self-expression?

Web2 is a platform-first, tools-second approach. Web2 allows companies to control the entire ecosystem. As we move into a decentralized future, Web2 wants to allow people to decide what their future internet, ownership, social interaction, and future look like. We believe freedom is an intrinsic characteristic of how people interact in future. Therefore, we want to empower it and not make it disappear by becoming another platform. We are a tool company that allows people the freedom to express themselves.

How important are virtual fashion experiences for Gen Z and non-binary users? How can the Genies fashion world promote confidence and inclusion?

Digital ecosystems are free from physical world restrictions so don’t worry about inclusivity when it comes to race, gender and others. If you want to identify as an inanimate object you can do that, if you want to create something that isn’t able to be physically constructed in the world today, you can do that. The virtual world offers incredible possibilities for expression, as it goes beyond the limitations of the physical world.

Are Gen-Z’s digital twins more like their physical appearances? How about yours?

Gen-Z’s “digital Twins” often resemble an ideal, an alter ego, something they can create multiple versions or themselves. You can think of it as your expression of all the moods you might have. Sometimes, that manifests itself as a wildflower or devilish persona. But it is really an artistic expression about how you see yourself right now. It does not reflect my actual physical appearance. My avatar is headless and has lollipops as arms. It also sports a dope sweater that features a smiling face. Although it doesn’t reflect my actual physical appearance, it is pretty accurate if you get to know me.

Let’s see, how does Genies’ future look?

Genies has a long-term vision. We believe we will be the mobile apps for web3. We want users to be able create their own avatar ecosystems. In this way, virtual and freedom can meet at the intersections of a new culture. Genies will be a global platform for digital fashion. We are confident that millions of genie avatar ecosystems will emerge with different uses, much like what you see on the app stores.