Turntable Customs | Custom Avatar Chrome Extension for Turntable.fm

Founder, Extension Developer, UX Designer
2011–2013 | Custom Avatar Extension for Turntable.fm

Overview:
The Turntable Customs Chrome Extension was a browser-based tool that enhanced user personalization on Turntable.fm by enabling fully custom avatars, spotlights, laptops, and more—far beyond the platform’s default avatar options. Developed at the peak of Turntable.fm’s popularity, the extension introduced a community-driven design system and backend integration that became widely adopted across fan circles.

Project Objectives:

• Empower users to visually stand out in Turntable.fm rooms
• Provide an easy-to-use submission and installation system
• Foster a sense of ownership and expression within the platform’s music-sharing culture

Key Features:

• Custom Avatars: Replace standard avatars with high-quality, user-submitted designs
• Live Avatar Spotlighting: Enable dynamic, personalized spotlights during sets
• Laptop Customization: Users could personalize the DJ booth experience further with custom laptop graphics
• Submission Portal: Built a submission system to allow users to send in full-body images for avatar creation
• FAQ & Support Hub: Included guides and support options for both users and designers
• Social Community Integration: Leveraged Facebook to update users and maintain community engagement

Technical Responsibilities:

• Developed the Chrome Extension using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
• Engineered avatar replacement logic to override Turntable.fm’s frontend styling within the DOM
• Managed user data, custom asset hosting, and compatibility checks
• Maintained and updated extension compatibility during frequent Turntable.fm codebase updates
• Created documentation and support channels to help streamline avatar submissions
• Coordinated with a small team of designers for custom avatar creation queue management

Community Engagement & Growth:

• Grew an active fanbase and user community across Turntable.fm and Facebook
• Facilitated hundreds of custom avatar submissions through the community pipeline
• Built trust and visibility in the Turntable.fm ecosystem, becoming a recognized resource for customizations

Legacy:
The Turntable Customs Chrome Extension played a pivotal role in expanding Turntable.fm’s culture of creativity and self-expression. By giving users the tools to stand out visually, it added a layer of personalization and fun that resonated deeply with its audience—ultimately influencing how custom content was viewed in music-based social platforms.