diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/gradient_avatar.dart b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/gradient_avatar.dart
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3a6aba10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/gradient_avatar.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,258 @@
+import 'dart:math';
+import 'dart:ui';
+import 'dart:ui' as ui;
+
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+
+/// Fallback user avatar with a polygon gradient overlayed with text
+class GradientAvatar extends StatefulWidget {
+  /// Constructor for [GradientAvatar]
+  const GradientAvatar({
+    Key? key,
+    required this.name,
+    required this.userId,
+  }) : super(key: key);
+
+  /// Name of user to shorten and display
+  final String name;
+
+  /// ID of user to be used for key
+  final String userId;
+
+  @override
+  _GradientAvatarState createState() => _GradientAvatarState();
+}
+
+class _GradientAvatarState extends State<GradientAvatar> {
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) => Center(
+        child: RepaintBoundary(
+          child: CustomPaint(
+            painter: DemoPainter(
+              widget.userId,
+              getShortenedName(widget.name),
+              DefaultTextStyle.of(context).style.fontFamily ?? 'Roboto',
+            ),
+            child: const SizedBox.expand(),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+
+  String getShortenedName(String name) {
+    var parts = name.split(' ')..removeWhere((e) => e == '');
+
+    if (parts.length > 2) {
+      parts = parts.take(2).toList();
+    }
+
+    var result = '';
+
+    for (var i = 0; i < parts.length; i++) {
+      result = result + parts[i][0].toUpperCase();
+    }
+
+    return result;
+  }
+}
+
+/// Painter for bg polygon gradient
+class DemoPainter extends CustomPainter {
+  /// Constructor for [DemoPainter]
+  DemoPainter(
+    this.userId,
+    this.username,
+    this.fontFamily,
+  );
+
+  /// Init grid row count
+  static const int rowCount = 5;
+
+  /// Init grid column count
+  static const int columnCount = 5;
+
+  /// User ID used for key
+  String userId;
+
+  /// User name to display
+  String username;
+
+  /// Font family to use
+  String fontFamily;
+
+  @override
+  void paint(Canvas canvas, Size size) {
+    final rowUnit = size.width / columnCount;
+    final columnUnit = size.height / rowCount;
+    final rand = Random(userId.length);
+
+    final squares = <Offset4>[];
+    final points = <Offset>{};
+    final gradient = colorGradients[rand.nextInt(colorGradients.length)];
+
+    for (var i = 0; i < rowCount; i++) {
+      for (var j = 0; j < columnCount; j++) {
+        final off1 = Offset(rowUnit * j, columnUnit * i);
+        final off2 = Offset(rowUnit * (j + 1), columnUnit * i);
+        final off3 = Offset(rowUnit * (j + 1), columnUnit * (i + 1));
+        final off4 = Offset(rowUnit * j, columnUnit * (i + 1));
+
+        points.addAll([off1, off2, off3, off4]);
+
+        final pointsList = points.toList();
+
+        final p1 = pointsList.indexOf(off1);
+        final p2 = pointsList.indexOf(off2);
+        final p3 = pointsList.indexOf(off3);
+        final p4 = pointsList.indexOf(off4);
+
+        squares.add(
+            Offset4(p1, p2, p3, p4, i, j, rowCount, columnCount, gradient));
+      }
+    }
+
+    final list = transformPoints(points, size);
+    squares.forEach((e) => e.draw(canvas, list));
+
+    final smallerSide = size.width > size.height ? size.width : size.height;
+
+    final textSize = smallerSide / 3;
+
+    final dxShift = (username.length == 2 ? 1.45 : 0.9) * textSize / 2;
+    final dyShift = (username.length == 2 ? 1.0 : 1.65) * textSize / 2;
+
+    final fontSize = username.length == 2 ? textSize : textSize * 1.5;
+
+    TextPainter(
+        text: TextSpan(
+          text: username,
+          style: TextStyle(
+            fontFamily: fontFamily,
+            fontSize: fontSize,
+            fontWeight: FontWeight.w500,
+            color: Colors.white.withOpacity(0.7),
+          ),
+        ),
+        textAlign: TextAlign.center,
+        textDirection: TextDirection.ltr)
+      ..layout(maxWidth: size.width)
+      ..paint(
+        canvas,
+        Offset(
+          (size.width / 2) - dxShift,
+          (size.height / 2) - dyShift,
+        ),
+      );
+  }
+
+  @override
+  bool shouldRepaint(covariant CustomPainter oldDelegate) => false;
+
+  /// Transforms initial grid into a polygon grid
+  List<Offset> transformPoints(Set<Offset> points, Size size) {
+    final transformedList = <Offset>[];
+    final orgList = points.toList();
+    final rand = Random(userId.length);
+
+    for (var i = 0; i < points.length; i++) {
+      final orgDx = orgList[i].dx;
+      final orgDy = orgList[i].dy;
+
+      if (orgDx == 0 ||
+          orgDy == 0 ||
+          orgDx == size.width ||
+          orgDy == size.height) {
+        transformedList.add(Offset(orgDx, orgDy));
+        continue;
+      }
+
+      final sign1 = rand.nextInt(2) == 1 ? 1 : -1;
+      final sign2 = rand.nextInt(2) == 1 ? 1 : -1;
+
+      final dx = 0.6 * sign1 * rand.nextInt(size.width ~/ columnCount);
+      final dy = 0.6 * sign2 * rand.nextInt(size.height ~/ rowCount);
+
+      transformedList.add(Offset(orgDx + dx, orgDy + dy));
+    }
+
+    return transformedList;
+  }
+}
+
+/// Class for storing and drawing four points of a polygon
+class Offset4 {
+  /// Constructor for [Offset4]
+  Offset4(
+    this.p1,
+    this.p2,
+    this.p3,
+    this.p4,
+    this.row,
+    this.column,
+    this.rowSize,
+    this.colSize,
+    this.gradient,
+  );
+
+  /// Point 1
+  int p1;
+
+  /// Point 2
+  int p2;
+
+  /// Point 3
+  int p3;
+
+  /// Point 4
+  int p4;
+
+  /// Position of polygon on grid
+  int row;
+
+  /// Position of polygon on grid
+  int column;
+
+  /// Max row size
+  int rowSize;
+
+  /// Max col size
+  int colSize;
+
+  /// Gradient to be applied to polygon
+  List<Color> gradient;
+
+  /// Draw the polygon on canvas
+  void draw(Canvas canvas, List<Offset> points) {
+    final paint = Paint()
+      ..color = Color.fromARGB(255, Random().nextInt(255),
+          Random().nextInt(255), Random().nextInt(255))
+      ..shader = ui.Gradient.linear(
+        points[p1],
+        points[p3],
+        gradient,
+      );
+
+    final backgroundPath = Path()
+      ..moveTo(points[p1].dx, points[p1].dy)
+      ..lineTo(points[p2].dx, points[p2].dy)
+      ..lineTo(points[p3].dx, points[p3].dy)
+      ..lineTo(points[p4].dx, points[p4].dy)
+      ..lineTo(points[p1].dx, points[p1].dy)
+      ..close();
+
+    canvas.drawPath(backgroundPath, paint);
+  }
+}
+
+/// Gradient list for polygons
+const colorGradients = [
+  [Color(0xffffafbd), Color(0xffffc3a0)],
+  [Color(0xff2193b0), Color(0xff6dd5ed)],
+  [Color(0xffcc2b5e), Color(0xff753a88)],
+  [Color(0xffee9ca7), Color(0xffffdde1)],
+  [Color(0xff42275a), Color(0xff734b6d)],
+  [Color(0xffde6262), Color(0xffffb88c)],
+  [Color(0xff56ab2f), Color(0xffa8e063)],
+  [Color(0xff614385), Color(0xff516395)],
+  [Color(0xffeacda3), Color(0xffd6ae7b)],
+  [Color(0xff02aab0), Color(0xff00cdac)],
+];
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/stream_chat_theme.dart b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/stream_chat_theme.dart
index 94ba50e4..9d2df266 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/stream_chat_theme.dart
+++ b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/src/stream_chat_theme.dart
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
-import 'package:cached_network_image/cached_network_image.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/foundation.dart';
 import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
 import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/src/channel_header.dart';
 import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/src/channel_preview.dart';
 import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/src/extension.dart';
+import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/src/gradient_avatar.dart';
 import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/src/message_input.dart';
 import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/src/reaction_icon.dart';
-import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/src/utils.dart';
 import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/stream_chat_flutter.dart';
 import 'package:stream_chat_flutter_core/stream_chat_flutter_core.dart';
 
@@ -310,10 +309,9 @@ class StreamChatThemeData {
       colorTheme: colorTheme,
       primaryIconTheme: iconTheme,
       defaultUserImage: (context, user) => Center(
-        child: CachedNetworkImage(
-          filterQuality: FilterQuality.high,
-          imageUrl: getRandomPicUrl(user),
-          fit: BoxFit.cover,
+        child: GradientAvatar(
+          name: user.name,
+          userId: user.id,
         ),
       ),
       channelPreviewTheme: channelPreviewTheme,
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/stream_chat_flutter.dart b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/stream_chat_flutter.dart
index 39aabb85..12049fc6 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/stream_chat_flutter.dart
+++ b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/lib/stream_chat_flutter.dart
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ export 'src/deleted_message.dart';
 export 'src/full_screen_media.dart';
 export 'src/gallery_footer.dart';
 export 'src/gallery_header.dart';
+export 'src/gradient_avatar.dart';
 export 'src/info_tile.dart';
 export 'src/mention_tile.dart';
 export 'src/message_action.dart';
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_0.png b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_0.png
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bf15f6af
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_0.png differ
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_1.png b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_1.png
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bd466f79
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_1.png differ
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_2.png b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_2.png
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d7d671c4
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_2.png differ
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_3.png b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_3.png
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5381c0f0
Binary files /dev/null and b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/gradient_avatar_3.png differ
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/message_text.png b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/message_text.png
index ecd93721..dda158b2 100644
Binary files a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/message_text.png and b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/goldens/message_text.png differ
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/gradient_avatar_test.dart b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/gradient_avatar_test.dart
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f8decfef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/gradient_avatar_test.dart
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+import 'package:golden_toolkit/golden_toolkit.dart';
+import 'package:mocktail/mocktail.dart';
+import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/src/gradient_avatar.dart';
+import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/stream_chat_flutter.dart';
+
+import 'mocks.dart';
+
+void main() {
+  testWidgets(
+    'control test',
+    (WidgetTester tester) async {
+      final client = MockClient();
+      final clientState = MockClientState();
+
+      when(() => client.state).thenReturn(clientState);
+      when(() => clientState.user).thenReturn(OwnUser(id: 'user-id'));
+
+      await tester.pumpWidget(
+        MaterialApp(
+          home: StreamChat(
+            client: client,
+            child: const Scaffold(
+              body: Center(
+                child: SizedBox(
+                  width: 100,
+                  height: 100,
+                  child: GradientAvatar(name: 'demo user', userId: 'demo123'),
+                ),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+
+      expect(find.byType(GradientAvatar), findsOneWidget);
+    },
+  );
+
+  testGoldens(
+    'golden test for the name "demo user"',
+    (WidgetTester tester) async {
+      await tester.pumpWidget(
+        const MaterialApp(
+          home: Scaffold(
+            body: Center(
+              child: SizedBox(
+                width: 100,
+                height: 100,
+                child: GradientAvatar(name: 'demo user', userId: 'demo123'),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+
+      await screenMatchesGolden(tester, 'gradient_avatar_0');
+    },
+  );
+
+  testGoldens(
+    'golden test for the name "demo"',
+    (WidgetTester tester) async {
+      await tester.pumpWidget(
+        const MaterialApp(
+          home: Scaffold(
+            body: Center(
+              child: SizedBox(
+                width: 100,
+                height: 100,
+                child: GradientAvatar(name: 'demo', userId: 'demo1'),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+
+      await screenMatchesGolden(tester, 'gradient_avatar_1');
+    },
+  );
+
+  testGoldens(
+    'control special character test',
+    (WidgetTester tester) async {
+      await tester.pumpWidget(
+        const MaterialApp(
+          home: Scaffold(
+            body: Center(
+              child: SizedBox(
+                width: 100,
+                height: 100,
+                child: GradientAvatar(
+                  name: 'd123@/d de:\$as',
+                  userId: 'demo123',
+                ),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+
+      await screenMatchesGolden(tester, 'gradient_avatar_2');
+    },
+  );
+
+  testGoldens(
+    'control special character test 2',
+    (WidgetTester tester) async {
+      await tester.pumpWidget(
+        const MaterialApp(
+          home: Scaffold(
+            body: Center(
+              child: SizedBox(
+                width: 100,
+                height: 100,
+                child: GradientAvatar(name: '123@/d \$as', userId: 'demo123'),
+              ),
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+
+      await screenMatchesGolden(tester, 'gradient_avatar_3');
+    },
+  );
+}
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/message_text_test.dart b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/message_text_test.dart
index f64e2bf1..765f7f2c 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/message_text_test.dart
+++ b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/message_text_test.dart
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ void main() {
       });
 
       const messageText = '''
-      a message.
+a message.
 with multiple lines
 and a list:
 - a. okasd
diff --git a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/reaction_bubble_test.dart b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/reaction_bubble_test.dart
index 1e3c9f5e..acf485c0 100644
--- a/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/reaction_bubble_test.dart
+++ b/packages/stream_chat_flutter/test/src/reaction_bubble_test.dart
@@ -6,32 +6,8 @@ import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/src/reaction_bubble.dart';
 import 'package:stream_chat_flutter/stream_chat_flutter.dart';
 
 import 'mocks.dart';
-import 'simple_frame.dart';
 
 void main() {
-  testGoldens(
-    'it should show no reactions',
-    (WidgetTester tester) async {
-      await tester.pumpWidgetBuilder(
-        SimpleFrame(
-          child: StreamChatTheme(
-            data: StreamChatThemeData(),
-            child: const SizedBox(
-              child: ReactionBubble(
-                reactions: [],
-                borderColor: Colors.black,
-                backgroundColor: Colors.white,
-                maskColor: Colors.white,
-              ),
-            ),
-          ),
-        ),
-        surfaceSize: const Size(100, 100),
-      );
-      await screenMatchesGolden(tester, 'reaction_bubble_0');
-    },
-  );
-
   testGoldens(
     'it should show a like - light theme',
     (WidgetTester tester) async {