diff --git a/client/package-lock.json b/client/package-lock.json
index 8fc480cbf0..3899bd163f 100644
--- a/client/package-lock.json
+++ b/client/package-lock.json
@@ -21295,15 +21295,6 @@
         "camelcase": "^5.0.0"
       }
     },
-    "react-identicons": {
-      "version": "1.2.4",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react-identicons/-/react-identicons-1.2.4.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-my4CFMlO88kWjhX/y5qiGjQE9KgVLLeUKEM2wilUko6UzUTmzHJvl0rjkcftG9bMq3WLkpJkB2qwFMRllS+NmQ==",
-      "requires": {
-        "react": "^16.13.0",
-        "react-dom": "^16.13.0"
-      }
-    },
     "react-instantsearch-core": {
       "version": "6.7.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react-instantsearch-core/-/react-instantsearch-core-6.7.0.tgz",
diff --git a/client/package.json b/client/package.json
index fcf2fbdf18..af64cf5dd4 100644
--- a/client/package.json
+++ b/client/package.json
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@
     "react-ga": "^2.7.0",
     "react-helmet": "^5.2.1",
     "react-hotkeys": "^2.0.0",
-    "react-identicons": "^1.1.7",
     "react-instantsearch-dom": "^6.7.0",
     "react-lazy-load": "^3.1.13",
     "react-monaco-editor": "^0.36.0",
diff --git a/client/src/assets/icons/DefaultAvatar.js b/client/src/assets/icons/DefaultAvatar.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4a59a8cf44
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/src/assets/icons/DefaultAvatar.js
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+/* eslint-disable max-len */
+import React from 'react';
+
+function DefaultAvatar(props) {
+  return (
+    <svg
+      className='default-avatar'
+      height='500px'
+      version='1.1'
+      viewBox='0 0 500 500'
+      width='500px'
+      xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'
+      xmlnsXlink='http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink'
+      {...props}
+    >
+      <title>default avatar</title>
+      <desc>an avatar conding with a laptop</desc>
+      <g fill='none' fillRule='evenodd'>
+        <g id='g'>
+          <rect fill='#D0D0D5' height='500' width='500' />
+          <path
+            d='m251.34 49c23.859 58.47 34.222 90.121 31.088 94.954-4.701 7.2493-15.381 32.924 0 50.968s77.487 6.439 92.029 23.897c14.542 17.458 12.196 68.184 14.542 135.56-22.154 0.54208-68.154 1.0837-138 1.6248l0.062-56h-0.124l0.062 56c-69.846-0.54109-115.85-1.0827-138-1.6248 2.3463-67.372 0-118.1 14.542-135.56 14.542-17.458 76.649-5.852 92.029-23.897s4.701-43.719 0-50.968c-3.134-4.8329 7.2285-36.484 31.088-94.954l0.13247 120h0.415z'
+            fill='#242440'
+          />
+          <path
+            d='m250.13 185c47.577 0 66.872-66.034 66.872-90.434 0-42.286-29.773-76.566-66.5-76.566s-66.5 34.28-66.5 76.566c0 24.7 18.552 90.434 66.128 90.434z'
+            fill='#242440'
+            id='c'
+            stroke='#D0D0D5'
+            strokeWidth='17'
+          />
+          <path
+            d='m77.011 459c-19.341-119.95-29.011-183.79-29.011-191.53 0-11.605 6.2167-16.473 17.298-16.473h370.4c11.082 0 17.298 4.8681 17.298 16.473 0 7.7366-9.6704 71.579-29.011 191.53z'
+            fill='#5F5F8C'
+            stroke='#D0D0D5'
+            strokeWidth='16'
+          />
+          <rect
+            fill='#5F5F8C'
+            height='23'
+            stroke='#D0D0D5'
+            strokeWidth='6'
+            width='339'
+            x='81'
+            y='459'
+          />
+          <g fillRule='nonzero' transform='translate(162 283)'>
+            <ellipse cx='88.5' cy='79' fill='#0A0A23' rx='88.5' ry='79' />
+            <g transform='translate(20 40)'>
+              <g id='Group' transform='translate(42.462 4)'>
+                <g fill='#fff' id='e'>
+                  <path
+                    d='m38.312 39.042c-3.9186-0.91476 12.174-18.263-16.43-39.034 0 0 3.7555 10.879-15.169 35.157-18.933 24.27 8.418 38.725 8.418 38.725s-12.834-6.24 2.0846-28.459c2.6734-4.0329 6.1663-7.6847 10.507-15.899 0 0 3.839 4.9441 1.834 15.671-2.9996 16.208 13.005 11.569 13.256 11.794 5.5895 6.0077-4.6307 16.564-5.2513 16.894-0.62061 0.32307 29.185-16.36 8.0083-41.469-1.4521 1.325-3.3338 7.5359-7.2564 6.6212z'
+                    id='i'
+                  />
+                </g>
+                <g fill='#000' fillOpacity='0' stroke='#000' strokeOpacity='0'>
+                  <path d='m38.312 39.042c-3.9186-0.91476 12.174-18.263-16.43-39.034 0 0 3.7555 10.879-15.169 35.157-18.933 24.27 8.418 38.725 8.418 38.725s-12.834-6.24 2.0846-28.459c2.6734-4.0329 6.1663-7.6847 10.507-15.899 0 0 3.839 4.9441 1.834 15.671-2.9996 16.208 13.005 11.569 13.256 11.794 5.5895 6.0077-4.6307 16.564-5.2513 16.894-0.62061 0.32307 29.185-16.36 8.0083-41.469-1.4521 1.325-3.3338 7.5359-7.2564 6.6212z' />
+                </g>
+              </g>
+              <g id='b' transform='translate(110.13)'>
+                <g fill='#fff' id='d'>
+                  <path
+                    d='m0.96996 0.62339c-0.47786 0.41439-0.95166 1.0162-0.95166 1.6215-0.0040664 1.045 1.3846 2.4611 3.9577 4.7889 10.713 9.1022 16.104 20.251 16.068 33.692-0.040843 14.875-5.7099 26.82-16.729 36.077-2.3158 1.8305-3.2674 3.2647-3.2715 4.4935 0 0.60537 0.4697 1.2324 0.94347 1.8341 0.44519 0.4216 1.3927 0.83962 2.0748 0.83962 2.5486 0.0071777 6.1183-2.6521 10.774-7.8266 9.0712-9.8085 13.172-20.64 13.401-35.4 0.21238-14.77-5.0319-24.784-15.308-35.126-3.6963-3.6935-6.7759-5.6141-8.8834-5.6177-0.68208 0-1.3927 0.20539-2.0748 0.62339z'
+                    id='a'
+                  />
+                </g>
+                <g fill='#000' fillOpacity='0' stroke='#000' strokeOpacity='0'>
+                  <path d='m0.96996 0.62339c-0.47786 0.41439-0.95166 1.0162-0.95166 1.6215-0.0040664 1.045 1.3846 2.4611 3.9577 4.7889 10.713 9.1022 16.104 20.251 16.068 33.692-0.040843 14.875-5.7099 26.82-16.729 36.077-2.3158 1.8305-3.2674 3.2647-3.2715 4.4935 0 0.60537 0.4697 1.2324 0.94347 1.8341 0.44519 0.4216 1.3927 0.83962 2.0748 0.83962 2.5486 0.0071777 6.1183-2.6521 10.774-7.8266 9.0712-9.8085 13.172-20.64 13.401-35.4 0.21238-14.77-5.0319-24.784-15.308-35.126-3.6963-3.6935-6.7759-5.6141-8.8834-5.6177-0.68208 0-1.3927 0.20539-2.0748 0.62339z' />
+                </g>
+              </g>
+              <g fill='#fff' id='h'>
+                <path
+                  d='m26.367 0.6342c0.47409 0.41439 0.9482 1.0162 0.9482 1.6215 0.004069 1.045-1.3855 2.4611-3.9603 4.7889-10.72 9.1022-16.111 20.251-16.078 33.692 0.04087 14.875 5.7136 26.82 16.74 36.077 2.3173 1.8305 3.2696 3.2647 3.2737 4.4935 0 0.60537-0.47001 1.2324-0.9441 1.8341-0.44548 0.4216-1.3896 0.83962-2.0762 0.83962-2.5503 0.0071777-6.1223-2.6521-10.782-7.8266-9.0773-9.8085-13.181-20.64-13.409-35.4-0.21252-14.77 5.0352-24.784 15.318-35.126 3.6987-3.6935 6.7844-5.6141 8.8892-5.6177 0.68253 0 1.3937 0.20539 2.0803 0.62339z'
+                  id='f'
+                />
+              </g>
+              <g fill='#000' fillOpacity='0' stroke='#000' strokeOpacity='0'>
+                <path d='m26.367 0.6342c0.47409 0.41439 0.9482 1.0162 0.9482 1.6215 0.004069 1.045-1.3855 2.4611-3.9603 4.7889-10.72 9.1022-16.111 20.251-16.078 33.692 0.04087 14.875 5.7136 26.82 16.74 36.077 2.3173 1.8305 3.2696 3.2647 3.2737 4.4935 0 0.60537-0.47001 1.2324-0.9441 1.8341-0.44548 0.4216-1.3896 0.83962-2.0762 0.83962-2.5503 0.0071777-6.1223-2.6521-10.782-7.8266-9.0773-9.8085-13.181-20.64-13.409-35.4-0.21252-14.77 5.0352-24.784 15.318-35.126 3.6987-3.6935 6.7844-5.6141 8.8892-5.6177 0.68253 0 1.3937 0.20539 2.0803 0.62339z' />
+              </g>
+            </g>
+          </g>
+        </g>
+      </g>
+    </svg>
+  );
+}
+
+DefaultAvatar.displayName = 'DefaultAvatar';
+
+export default DefaultAvatar;
diff --git a/client/src/client-only-routes/ShowSettings.js b/client/src/client-only-routes/ShowSettings.js
index ddbea7bc61..bd0db6cc84 100644
--- a/client/src/client-only-routes/ShowSettings.js
+++ b/client/src/client-only-routes/ShowSettings.js
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ import {
 import { submitNewAbout, updateUserFlag, verifyCert } from '../redux/settings';
 import { createFlashMessage } from '../components/Flash/redux';
 
-import { FullWidthRow, Link, Loader, Spacer } from '../components/helpers';
+import { FullWidthRow, Loader, Spacer } from '../components/helpers';
 import About from '../components/settings/About';
 import Privacy from '../components/settings/Privacy';
 import Email from '../components/settings/Email';
@@ -177,13 +177,7 @@ export function ShowSettings(props) {
       <Grid>
         <main>
           <Spacer size={2} />
-          <FullWidthRow className='button-group'>
-            <Link
-              className='btn-invert btn btn-lg btn-primary btn-block'
-              to={`/${username}`}
-            >
-              Show me my public portfolio
-            </Link>
+          <FullWidthRow>
             <Button
               block={true}
               bsSize='lg'
diff --git a/client/src/components/Header/Header.test.js b/client/src/components/Header/Header.test.js
index 4671019acd..2694aa611c 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Header/Header.test.js
+++ b/client/src/components/Header/Header.test.js
@@ -1,13 +1,19 @@
 /* global expect */
 import React from 'react';
 import ShallowRenderer from 'react-test-renderer/shallow';
-import TestRenderer from 'react-test-renderer';
-import { UniversalNav } from './components/UniversalNav';
-import NavLinks from './components/NavLinks';
+import renderer from 'react-test-renderer';
 
-import { forumLocation } from '../../../config/env.json';
+import { UniversalNav } from './components/UniversalNav';
+import { AuthOrProfile } from './components/NavLinks';
 
 describe('<UniversalNav />', () => {
+  const UniversalNavProps = {
+    displayMenu: false,
+    menuButtonRef: {},
+    searchBarRef: {},
+    toggleDisplayMenu: function() {},
+    pathName: '/'
+  };
   it('renders to the DOM', () => {
     const shallow = new ShallowRenderer();
     shallow.render(<UniversalNav {...UniversalNavProps} />);
@@ -15,34 +21,138 @@ describe('<UniversalNav />', () => {
     expect(result).toBeTruthy();
   });
 });
+
 describe('<NavLinks />', () => {
-  const root = TestRenderer.create(<NavLinks />).root;
-  const aTags = root.findAllByType('a');
+  it('shows Curriculum and Sign In buttons on landing page', () => {
+    const landingPageProps = {
+      user: {
+        username: 'test-user',
+        picture: 'https://freecodecamp.org/image.png'
+      },
+      pending: false,
+      pathName: '/'
+    };
+    const shallow = new ShallowRenderer();
+    shallow.render(<AuthOrProfile {...landingPageProps} />);
+    const result = shallow.getRenderOutput();
+    // expect(result.props.children).toEqual('Sign In');
 
-  // reduces the aTags to href links
-  const links = aTags.reduce((acc, item) => {
-    acc.push(item._fiber.pendingProps.href);
-    return acc;
-  }, []);
+    expect(deepChildrenProp(result, 0).children === 'Curriculum').toBeTruthy();
 
-  const expectedLinks = ['/learn', '/news', forumLocation];
-
-  it('renders to the DOM', () => {
-    expect(root).toBeTruthy();
-  });
-  it('has 3 links', () => {
-    expect(aTags.length === 3).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(
+      result.props.children[1].props['data-test-label'] === 'landing-small-cta'
+    ).toBeTruthy();
   });
 
-  it('has links to news, forum, learn and portfolio', () => {
-    // checks if all links in expected links exist in links
-    expect(expectedLinks.every(elem => links.indexOf(elem) > -1)).toBeTruthy();
+  it('has Curriculum and Portfolio links when user signed in on /learn', () => {
+    const defaultUserProps = {
+      user: {
+        username: 'test-user',
+        picture: 'https://freecodecamp.org/image.png',
+        isDonating: true
+      },
+      pending: false,
+      pathName: '/learn'
+    };
+    const shallow = new ShallowRenderer();
+    shallow.render(<AuthOrProfile {...defaultUserProps} />);
+    const result = shallow.getRenderOutput();
+
+    expect(hasCurriculumNavItem(result)).toBeTruthy();
+    expect(hasProfileNavItem(result)).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+
+  it('has avatar with default border for default users', () => {
+    const defaultUserProps = {
+      user: {
+        username: 'test-user',
+        picture: 'https://freecodecamp.org/image.png'
+      },
+      pending: false,
+      pathName: '/learn'
+    };
+
+    const componentTree = renderer
+      .create(<AuthOrProfile {...defaultUserProps} />)
+      .toJSON();
+
+    expect(avatarHasClass(componentTree, 'default-border')).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+
+  it('has avatar with gold border for donating users', () => {
+    const donatingUserProps = {
+      user: {
+        username: 'test-user',
+        picture: 'https://freecodecamp.org/image.png',
+        isDonating: true
+      },
+      pending: false,
+      pathName: '/learn'
+    };
+    const componentTree = renderer
+      .create(<AuthOrProfile {...donatingUserProps} />)
+      .toJSON();
+
+    expect(avatarHasClass(componentTree, 'gold-border')).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+
+  it('has avatar with green border for top contributors', () => {
+    const topContributorUserProps = {
+      user: {
+        username: 'test-user',
+        picture: 'https://freecodecamp.org/image.png',
+        yearsTopContributor: [2020]
+      },
+      pending: false,
+      pathName: '/learn'
+    };
+
+    const componentTree = renderer
+      .create(<AuthOrProfile {...topContributorUserProps} />)
+      .toJSON();
+
+    expect(avatarHasClass(componentTree, 'green-border')).toBeTruthy();
+  });
+  it('has avatar with purple border for donating top contributors', () => {
+    const topDonatingContributorUserProps = {
+      user: {
+        username: 'test-user',
+        picture: 'https://freecodecamp.org/image.png',
+        isDonating: true,
+        yearsTopContributor: [2020]
+      },
+      pending: false,
+      pathName: '/learn'
+    };
+    const componentTree = renderer
+      .create(<AuthOrProfile {...topDonatingContributorUserProps} />)
+      .toJSON();
+    expect(avatarHasClass(componentTree, 'purple-border')).toBeTruthy();
   });
 });
 
-const UniversalNavProps = {
-  displayMenu: false,
-  menuButtonRef: {},
-  searchBarRef: {},
-  toggleDisplayMenu: function() {}
+const deepChildrenProp = (component, childNumber) =>
+  component.props.children[childNumber].props.children.props;
+
+const hasProfileNavItem = component => {
+  const profileElement = deepChildrenProp(component, 1);
+  return (
+    profileElement.children[0] === 'Profile' &&
+    profileElement.to === '/test-user'
+  );
+};
+
+const hasCurriculumNavItem = component => {
+  const curriculumElement = deepChildrenProp(component, 0);
+  return (
+    curriculumElement.children === 'Curriculum' &&
+    curriculumElement.to === '/learn'
+  );
+};
+
+const avatarHasClass = (componentTree, classes) => {
+  return (
+    componentTree[1].children[0].children[1].props.className ===
+    'avatar-container ' + classes
+  );
 };
diff --git a/client/src/components/Header/components/AuthOrProfile.js b/client/src/components/Header/components/AuthOrProfile.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..2d9cd39c68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/src/components/Header/components/AuthOrProfile.js
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/* eslint-disable react/sort-prop-types */
+import React from 'react';
+import {
+  Link,
+  borderColorPicker,
+  SkeletonSprite,
+  AvatarRenderer
+} from '../../helpers';
+import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
+
+import Login from '../components/Login';
+
+const propTypes = {
+  pending: PropTypes.bool,
+  pathName: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
+  user: PropTypes.object
+};
+
+export function AuthOrProfile({ user, pathName, pending }) {
+  const isUserDonating = user && user.isDonating;
+  const isUserSignedIn = user && user.username;
+  const isTopContributor =
+    user && user.yearsTopContributor && user.yearsTopContributor.length > 0;
+
+  const badgeColorClass = borderColorPicker(isUserDonating, isTopContributor);
+
+  if (pending && pathName !== '/') {
+    return (
+      <div className='nav-skeleton'>
+        <SkeletonSprite />
+      </div>
+    );
+  } else if (pathName === '/' || !isUserSignedIn) {
+    return <Login data-test-label='landing-small-cta'>Sign In</Login>;
+  } else {
+    return (
+      <>
+        <li>
+          <Link className='nav-link' to='/learn'>
+            Curriculum
+          </Link>
+        </li>
+        <li>
+          <Link className='nav-link' to={`/${user.username}`}>
+            Profile
+          </Link>
+          <Link
+            className={`avatar-nav-link ${badgeColorClass}`}
+            to={`/${user.username}`}
+          >
+            <AvatarRenderer
+              picture={user.picture}
+              size='sm'
+              userName={user.username}
+            />
+          </Link>
+        </li>
+      </>
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+AuthOrProfile.propTypes = propTypes;
+AuthOrProfile.displayName = 'AuthOrProfile';
+export default AuthOrProfile;
diff --git a/client/src/components/Header/components/NavLinks.js b/client/src/components/Header/components/NavLinks.js
index 92d3947c5b..a190f8bc49 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Header/components/NavLinks.js
+++ b/client/src/components/Header/components/NavLinks.js
@@ -1,30 +1,68 @@
 import React from 'react';
-import { Link } from '../../helpers';
-import { forumLocation } from '../../../../../config/env.json';
-
+import { Link, SkeletonSprite, AvatarRenderer } from '../../helpers';
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
+import Login from '../components/Login';
 
 const propTypes = {
-  displayMenu: PropTypes.bool
+  displayMenu: PropTypes.bool,
+  fetchState: PropTypes.shape({ pending: PropTypes.bool }),
+  pathName: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
+  user: PropTypes.object
 };
 
-function NavLinks({ displayMenu }) {
+export function AuthOrProfile({ user, pathName, pending }) {
+  const isUserDonating = user && user.isDonating;
+  const isUserSignedIn = user && user.username;
+  const isTopContributor =
+    user && user.yearsTopContributor && user.yearsTopContributor.length > 0;
+
+  if (pending && pathName !== '/') {
+    return (
+      <div className='nav-skeleton'>
+        <SkeletonSprite />
+      </div>
+    );
+  } else if (pathName === '/' || !isUserSignedIn) {
+    return (
+      <>
+        <li>
+          <Link className='nav-link' to='/learn'>
+            Curriculum
+          </Link>
+        </li>
+        <Login data-test-label='landing-small-cta'>Sign In</Login>
+      </>
+    );
+  } else {
+    return (
+      <>
+        <li>
+          <Link className='nav-link' to='/learn'>
+            Curriculum
+          </Link>
+        </li>
+        <li>
+          <Link className='nav-link' to={`/${user.username}`}>
+            Profile
+            <AvatarRenderer
+              isDonating={isUserDonating}
+              isTopContributor={isTopContributor}
+              picture={user.picture}
+              userName={user.username}
+            />
+          </Link>
+        </li>
+      </>
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+export function NavLinks({ displayMenu, pathName, user, fetchState }) {
+  const { pending } = fetchState;
   return (
     <div className='main-nav-group'>
       <ul className={'nav-list' + (displayMenu ? ' display-flex' : '')}>
-        <li className='nav-news'>
-          <Link external={true} sameTab={true} to='/news'>
-            /news
-          </Link>
-        </li>
-        <li className='nav-forum'>
-          <Link external={true} sameTab={true} to={forumLocation}>
-            /forum
-          </Link>
-        </li>
-        <li className='nav-projects'>
-          <Link to='/learn'>/learn</Link>
-        </li>
+        <AuthOrProfile pathName={pathName} pending={pending} user={user} />
       </ul>
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/client/src/components/Header/components/UniversalNav.js b/client/src/components/Header/components/UniversalNav.js
index d8f57285ad..a9a77ceada 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Header/components/UniversalNav.js
+++ b/client/src/components/Header/components/UniversalNav.js
@@ -12,7 +12,10 @@ export const UniversalNav = ({
   displayMenu,
   toggleDisplayMenu,
   menuButtonRef,
-  searchBarRef
+  searchBarRef,
+  pathName,
+  user,
+  fetchState
 }) => (
   <nav
     className={'universal-nav nav-padding' + (displayMenu ? ' expand-nav' : '')}
@@ -30,7 +33,12 @@ export const UniversalNav = ({
       </Link>
     </div>
     <div className='universal-nav-right main-nav'>
-      <NavLinks displayMenu={displayMenu} />
+      <NavLinks
+        displayMenu={displayMenu}
+        fetchState={fetchState}
+        pathName={pathName}
+        user={user}
+      />
     </div>
     <MenuButton
       displayMenu={displayMenu}
@@ -45,7 +53,10 @@ export default UniversalNav;
 
 UniversalNav.propTypes = {
   displayMenu: PropTypes.bool,
+  fetchState: PropTypes.shape({ pending: PropTypes.bool }),
   menuButtonRef: PropTypes.object,
+  pathName: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
   searchBarRef: PropTypes.object,
-  toggleDisplayMenu: PropTypes.func
+  toggleDisplayMenu: PropTypes.func,
+  user: PropTypes.object
 };
diff --git a/client/src/components/Header/components/universalNav.css b/client/src/components/Header/components/universalNav.css
index 455f1d68f4..61ee476c46 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Header/components/universalNav.css
+++ b/client/src/components/Header/components/universalNav.css
@@ -68,10 +68,11 @@
   margin: 0 0 0 -12px;
   padding: 0;
   list-style: none;
+  align-items: center;
 }
 
 .nav-list {
-  height: 38px;
+  height: var(--header-height);
 }
 
 .nav-list li {
@@ -80,37 +81,66 @@
   padding: 0;
 }
 
-.nav-list li a {
-  display: block;
+.nav-list li a.nav-link {
+  display: flex;
   margin: 0;
-  padding: 6px 15px;
+  padding: 0 15px;
   color: var(--gray-00);
   opacity: 1;
   white-space: nowrap;
-  height: 38px;
+  height: var(--header-height);
+  align-items: center;
 }
 
-.nav-list li a:hover {
+.nav-list li:last-child {
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: row;
+}
+
+.nav-list li:last-child a {
+  padding-right: 15px;
+}
+
+.nav-list li a.nav-link:hover {
   color: var(--theme-color);
   text-decoration: none;
   background: white;
 }
 
-.nav-list li a:focus {
+.nav-list li a.nav-link:focus {
   background: var(--theme-color);
   color: white;
 }
 
-.nav-list li a:focus:hover {
+.nav-list li a.nav-link:focus:hover {
   color: var(--theme-color);
   background: white;
 }
 
+.nav-list a.btn-cta {
+  padding: 0 20px;
+  height: 30px;
+  margin-left: 19px;
+  margin-right: 15px;
+}
+
+.nav-skeleton {
+  height: var(--header-height);
+  margin-right: 15px;
+  width: 200px;
+}
+
+.nav-list .fcc-loader {
+  padding: 0 40px;
+  margin-left: 35px;
+  margin-right: 25px;
+}
+
 .universal-nav-right {
   flex-shrink: 0;
   display: flex;
   align-items: center;
-  height: 38px;
+  height: var(--header-height);
 }
 
 .toggle-button-nav {
@@ -133,8 +163,46 @@
   border: 1px solid var(--gray-00);
 }
 
+.nav-list li .avatar-container {
+  display: block;
+  padding: 0;
+  margin-left: 15px;
+  opacity: 1;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+  background: transparent;
+  height: calc(var(--header-height) - 8px);
+  width: calc(var(--header-height) - 8px);
+}
+
+.nav-list li .avatar-containersvg {
+  display: inline-block;
+  background: var(--secondary-background);
+}
+.nav-list .avatar-container svg,
+.nav-list .avatar-container img {
+  object-fit: cover;
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+}
+
+.nav-list .gold-border {
+  border: 2px solid var(--yellow-gold);
+}
+
+.nav-list .green-border {
+  border: 2px solid var(--green-mid);
+}
+
+.nav-list .purple-border {
+  border: 2px solid var(--purple-mid);
+}
+
+.nav-list .default-border {
+  border: 2px solid transparent;
+}
+
 @media (max-width: 300px) {
-  .nav-list li a {
+  .nav-list li a.nav-link {
     width: 50vw;
     text-align: center;
   }
diff --git a/client/src/components/Header/index.js b/client/src/components/Header/index.js
index 098c6e93bb..beb99c7794 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Header/index.js
+++ b/client/src/components/Header/index.js
@@ -1,11 +1,18 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import Helmet from 'react-helmet';
+import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
 
 import stripeObserver from './stripeIframesFix';
 import UniversalNav from './components/UniversalNav';
 
 import './header.css';
 
+const propTypes = {
+  fetchState: PropTypes.shape({ pending: PropTypes.bool }),
+  pathName: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
+  user: PropTypes.object
+};
+
 export class Header extends React.Component {
   constructor(props) {
     super(props);
@@ -47,6 +54,7 @@ export class Header extends React.Component {
   }
   render() {
     const { displayMenu } = this.state;
+    const { fetchState, pathName, user } = this.props;
     return (
       <>
         <Helmet>
@@ -55,9 +63,12 @@ export class Header extends React.Component {
         <header>
           <UniversalNav
             displayMenu={displayMenu}
+            fetchState={fetchState}
             menuButtonRef={this.menuButtonRef}
+            pathName={pathName}
             searchBarRef={this.searchBarRef}
             toggleDisplayMenu={this.toggleDisplayMenu}
+            user={user}
           />
         </header>
       </>
@@ -65,5 +76,7 @@ export class Header extends React.Component {
   }
 }
 
+Header.propTypes = propTypes;
 Header.displayName = 'Header';
+
 export default Header;
diff --git a/client/src/components/Intro/index.js b/client/src/components/Intro/index.js
index ba35b91c0c..51ba543a5e 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Intro/index.js
+++ b/client/src/components/Intro/index.js
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ const propTypes = {
 
 function Intro({
   isSignedIn,
-  username,
   name,
   pending,
   complete,
@@ -49,13 +48,7 @@ function Intro({
             <Spacer />
           </Col>
         </Row>
-        <FullWidthRow className='button-group'>
-          <Link
-            className='btn btn-lg btn-primary btn-block'
-            to={`/${username}`}
-          >
-            View my Portfolio
-          </Link>
+        <FullWidthRow>
           <Link className='btn btn-lg btn-primary btn-block' to='/settings'>
             Update my account settings
           </Link>
diff --git a/client/src/components/helpers/AvatarRenderer.js b/client/src/components/helpers/AvatarRenderer.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..72e4994438
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/src/components/helpers/AvatarRenderer.js
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import React from 'react';
+import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
+import { Image } from '@freecodecamp/react-bootstrap';
+import DefaultAvatar from '../../assets/icons/DefaultAvatar';
+import { defaultUserImage } from '../../../../config/misc';
+
+const propTypes = {
+  isDonating: PropTypes.bool,
+  isTopContributor: PropTypes.bool,
+  picture: PropTypes.any.isRequired,
+  userName: PropTypes.string.isRequired
+};
+
+function borderColorPicker(isDonating, isTopContributor) {
+  if (isDonating && isTopContributor) return 'purple-border';
+  else if (isTopContributor) return 'green-border';
+  else if (isDonating) return 'gold-border';
+  else return 'default-border';
+}
+
+function AvatarRenderer({ picture, userName, isDonating, isTopContributor }) {
+  let borderColor = borderColorPicker(isDonating, isTopContributor);
+  let isPlaceHolderImage =
+    /example.com|identicon.org/.test(picture) || picture === defaultUserImage;
+
+  return (
+    <div className={`avatar-container ${borderColor}`}>
+      {isPlaceHolderImage ? (
+        <DefaultAvatar className='avatar default-avatar' />
+      ) : (
+        <Image
+          alt={userName + "'s avatar"}
+          className='avatar'
+          responsive={true}
+          src={picture}
+        />
+      )}
+    </div>
+  );
+}
+
+AvatarRenderer.propTypes = propTypes;
+AvatarRenderer.displayName = 'AvatarRenderer';
+export default AvatarRenderer;
diff --git a/client/src/components/helpers/SkeletonSprite.js b/client/src/components/helpers/SkeletonSprite.js
index 807ac7176a..7415e8d834 100644
--- a/client/src/components/helpers/SkeletonSprite.js
+++ b/client/src/components/helpers/SkeletonSprite.js
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ function SkeletonSprite() {
       <svg className='sprite-svg'>
         <rect
           className='sprite'
-          fill='#ccc'
+          fill='var(--gray-75)'
           height='100%'
-          stroke='#ccc'
+          stroke='var(--gray-75)'
           width='2px'
           x='0'
           y='0'
diff --git a/client/src/components/helpers/borderColorPicker.js b/client/src/components/helpers/borderColorPicker.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..391072e26a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/src/components/helpers/borderColorPicker.js
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+export default function borderColorPicker(isDonating, isTopContributor) {
+  if (isDonating && isTopContributor) return 'purple-border';
+  else if (isTopContributor) return 'green-border';
+  else if (isDonating) return 'gold-border';
+  else return 'default-border';
+}
diff --git a/client/src/components/helpers/index.js b/client/src/components/helpers/index.js
index ac6353802b..f59bba1524 100644
--- a/client/src/components/helpers/index.js
+++ b/client/src/components/helpers/index.js
@@ -7,3 +7,5 @@ export { default as Spacer } from './Spacer';
 export { default as Link } from './Link';
 export { default as CurrentChallengeLink } from './CurrentChallengeLink';
 export { default as ImageLoader } from './ImageLoader';
+export { default as AvatarRenderer } from './AvatarRenderer';
+export { default as borderColorPicker } from './borderColorPicker';
diff --git a/client/src/components/helpers/skeletonStyles.js b/client/src/components/helpers/skeletonStyles.js
index bd3a9bead4..ee8db9bddc 100644
--- a/client/src/components/helpers/skeletonStyles.js
+++ b/client/src/components/helpers/skeletonStyles.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ export default `
 .sprite-svg {
   height: 100%;
   width: 100%;
-  background: #aaa;
+  background: var(--theme-color);
 
 }
 
@@ -18,8 +18,15 @@ export default `
     transform: translateX(0%);
     stroke-width: 2px;
   }
+  5%{
+   opacity:100%;
+  }
   35% {
     stroke-width: 30px;
+    opacity:100%;
+  }
+  65%{
+    opacity:100%;
   }
   100% {
     -webkit-transform: translateX(100%);
@@ -36,6 +43,10 @@ export default `
   }
   35% {
     stroke-width: 30px;
+    opacity:100%;
+  }
+  65%{
+    opacity:100%;
   }
   100% {
     -webkit-transform: translateX(100%);
@@ -45,8 +56,10 @@ export default `
 }
 
 .sprite {
+  opacity:0%;
   -webkit-animation-name: shimmer;
   animation-name: shimmer;
+  animation-delay: 1s;
   width: 2px;
   -webkit-animation-duration: 2s;
   animation-duration: 2s;
diff --git a/client/src/components/layouts/Default.js b/client/src/components/layouts/Default.js
index a0f8672f9e..c0f4e6f757 100644
--- a/client/src/components/layouts/Default.js
+++ b/client/src/components/layouts/Default.js
@@ -11,7 +11,9 @@ import {
   isSignedInSelector,
   onlineStatusChange,
   isOnlineSelector,
+  userFetchStateSelector,
   userSelector,
+  usernameSelector,
   executeGA
 } from '../../redux';
 import { flashMessageSelector, removeFlashMessage } from '../Flash/redux';
@@ -69,6 +71,7 @@ const metaKeywords = [
 const propTypes = {
   children: PropTypes.node.isRequired,
   executeGA: PropTypes.func,
+  fetchState: PropTypes.shape({ pending: PropTypes.bool }),
   fetchUser: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
   flashMessage: PropTypes.shape({
     id: PropTypes.string,
@@ -82,21 +85,27 @@ const propTypes = {
   pathname: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
   removeFlashMessage: PropTypes.func.isRequired,
   showFooter: PropTypes.bool,
+  signedInUserName: PropTypes.string,
   theme: PropTypes.string,
-  useTheme: PropTypes.bool
+  useTheme: PropTypes.bool,
+  user: PropTypes.object
 };
 
 const mapStateToProps = createSelector(
   isSignedInSelector,
   flashMessageSelector,
   isOnlineSelector,
+  userFetchStateSelector,
   userSelector,
-  (isSignedIn, flashMessage, isOnline, user) => ({
+  usernameSelector,
+  (isSignedIn, flashMessage, isOnline, fetchState, user) => ({
     isSignedIn,
     flashMessage,
     hasMessage: !!flashMessage.message,
     isOnline,
-    theme: user.theme
+    fetchState,
+    theme: user.theme,
+    user
   })
 );
 
@@ -142,14 +151,18 @@ class DefaultLayout extends Component {
     const {
       children,
       hasMessage,
+      fetchState,
       flashMessage,
       isOnline,
       isSignedIn,
       removeFlashMessage,
       showFooter = true,
       theme = 'default',
-      useTheme = true
+      user,
+      useTheme = true,
+      pathname
     } = this.props;
+
     return (
       <Fragment>
         <Helmet
@@ -213,7 +226,7 @@ class DefaultLayout extends Component {
           <style>{fontawesome.dom.css()}</style>
         </Helmet>
         <WithInstantSearch>
-          <Header />
+          <Header fetchState={fetchState} pathName={pathname} user={user} />
           <div className={`default-layout`}>
             <OfflineWarning isOnline={isOnline} isSignedIn={isSignedIn} />
             {hasMessage && flashMessage ? (
diff --git a/client/src/components/layouts/global.css b/client/src/components/layouts/global.css
index 12fd545e55..1f9e751f74 100644
--- a/client/src/components/layouts/global.css
+++ b/client/src/components/layouts/global.css
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ fieldset[disabled] .btn-primary.focus {
 .btn-cta:hover,
 .btn-cta:focus,
 .btn-cta:active:hover {
-  background-color: #fecc4c;
+  background-color: #fecc4c !important;
   border-width: 3px;
   border-color: #f1a02a;
   background-image: none;
diff --git a/client/src/components/layouts/variables.css b/client/src/components/layouts/variables.css
index 1430081504..cae43b0435 100644
--- a/client/src/components/layouts/variables.css
+++ b/client/src/components/layouts/variables.css
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
   --blue-light: #99c9ff;
   --blue-dark: #002ead;
   --green-light: #acd157;
+  --green-mid: green;
+  --purple-mid: darkviolet;
   --green-dark: #00471b;
   --red-light: #ffadad;
   --red-dark: #850000;
diff --git a/client/src/components/profile/__snapshots__/Profile.test.js.snap b/client/src/components/profile/__snapshots__/Profile.test.js.snap
index dcdf51ac02..8d8b5c7b56 100644
--- a/client/src/components/profile/__snapshots__/Profile.test.js.snap
+++ b/client/src/components/profile/__snapshots__/Profile.test.js.snap
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ exports[`<Profile/> renders correctly 1`] = `
           class="avatar-container col-xs-12"
         >
           <div
-            class=""
+            class="avatar-container default-border"
           >
             <img
               alt="string's avatar"
diff --git a/client/src/components/profile/components/Camper.js b/client/src/components/profile/components/Camper.js
index d2a9bac728..3813b641a7 100644
--- a/client/src/components/profile/components/Camper.js
+++ b/client/src/components/profile/components/Camper.js
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 import React from 'react';
 import PropTypes from 'prop-types';
-import { Col, Row, Image } from '@freecodecamp/react-bootstrap';
+import { Col, Row } from '@freecodecamp/react-bootstrap';
 import { FontAwesomeIcon } from '@fortawesome/react-fontawesome';
 import {
   faAward,
   faHeart,
   faCalendar
 } from '@fortawesome/free-solid-svg-icons';
-import Identicon from 'react-identicons';
+
+import { AvatarRenderer } from '../../helpers';
 
 import SocialIcons from './SocialIcons';
 
@@ -77,29 +78,16 @@ function Camper({
   twitter,
   website
 }) {
-  // A lot of the user-profiles are still using the defunct service.
-  const avatar = /example.com|identicon.org/.test(picture) ? (
-    <Identicon
-      bg={'#858591'}
-      count={5}
-      fg={'#0A0A23'}
-      padding={5}
-      size={256}
-      string={username}
-    />
-  ) : (
-    <Image
-      alt={username + "'s avatar"}
-      className='avatar'
-      responsive={true}
-      src={picture}
-    />
-  );
   return (
     <div>
       <Row>
         <Col className='avatar-container' xs={12}>
-          <div className={isDonating ? 'supporter-img' : ''}>{avatar}</div>
+          <AvatarRenderer
+            isDonating={isDonating}
+            isTopContributor={yearsTopContributor.length > 0}
+            picture={picture}
+            userName={username}
+          />
         </Col>
       </Row>
       <SocialIcons
diff --git a/client/src/components/profile/components/camper.css b/client/src/components/profile/components/camper.css
index d572acc855..331c36ee55 100644
--- a/client/src/components/profile/components/camper.css
+++ b/client/src/components/profile/components/camper.css
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 .avatar-container .avatar {
   height: 180px;
+  width: 180px;
+  object-fit: cover;
 }
 
 .avatar-container {
@@ -14,6 +16,22 @@
   overflow-wrap: break-word;
 }
 
-.supporter-img {
+.avatar-container div {
+  height: 200px;
+}
+
+.avatar-container .gold-border {
   border: 10px solid var(--yellow-gold);
 }
+
+.avatar-container .green-border {
+  border: 10px solid var(--green-mid);
+}
+
+.avatar-container .purple-border {
+  border: 10px solid var(--purple-mid);
+}
+
+.avatar-container .default-border {
+  border: 10px solid transparent;
+}
diff --git a/client/src/pages/learn.js b/client/src/pages/learn.js
index 4b5d1d65e2..e2060e0254 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/learn.js
+++ b/client/src/pages/learn.js
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ export const LearnPage = ({
   location: { hash = '', state = '' },
   isSignedIn,
   fetchState: { pending, complete },
-  user: { name = '', username = '', completedChallengeCount = 0 },
+  user: { name = '', completedChallengeCount = 0 },
   data: {
     challengeNode: {
       fields: { slug }
@@ -86,7 +86,6 @@ export const LearnPage = ({
           name={name}
           pending={pending}
           slug={slug}
-          username={username}
         />
         <Map
           hash={hashValue}
diff --git a/config/misc.js b/config/misc.js
index 8ecedeef31..a1cf55a651 100644
--- a/config/misc.js
+++ b/config/misc.js
@@ -1 +1,2 @@
 exports.oldDataVizId = '561add10cb82ac38a17513b3';
+exports.defaultUserImage = 'https://freecodecamp.com/sample-image.png';
diff --git a/cypress/integration/learn/common-components/navbar.js b/cypress/integration/learn/common-components/navbar.js
index b46567f344..ffa2cf1abe 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/learn/common-components/navbar.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/learn/common-components/navbar.js
@@ -1,5 +1,14 @@
 /* global cy */
 
+const selectors = {
+  heading: "[data-test-label='landing-header']",
+  smallCallToAction: "[data-test-label='landing-small-cta']",
+  firstNavigationLink: '.nav-list .nav-link:first-child',
+  lastNavigationLink: '.nav-list .nav-link:last-child',
+  avatarContainer: '.avatar-container',
+  defaultAvatar: '.avatar-container svg'
+};
+
 describe('Navbar', () => {
   beforeEach(() => {
     cy.visit('/');
@@ -10,32 +19,6 @@ describe('Navbar', () => {
     cy.get('#universal-nav').should('have.class', 'universal-nav nav-padding');
   });
 
-  it('Should take user to news page when clicked on `/news`', () => {
-    cy.get('.nav-news').within(() => {
-      cy.contains('/news').click();
-    });
-    cy.url().should('include', '/news');
-  });
-
-  it('Should take user to forum page when clicked on `/forum`', () => {
-    cy.get('.nav-forum').within(() => {
-      // Can't click on it in test due to CORS policy
-      // So check the link instead
-      cy.contains('/forum').should(
-        'have.attr',
-        'href',
-        'https://forum.freecodecamp.org'
-      );
-    });
-  });
-
-  it('Should take user to learn page when clicked on `/learn`', () => {
-    cy.get('.nav-projects').within(() => {
-      cy.contains('/learn').click();
-    });
-    cy.url().should('include', '/learn');
-  });
-
   it(
     'Should take user to learn page when clicked on ' + 'the freeCodeCamp logo',
     () => {
@@ -53,7 +36,7 @@ describe('Navbar', () => {
 
     cy.get('.ais-Hits-list')
       .children()
-      .should('have.length', 1);
+      .should('to.have.length.of.at.least', 1);
 
     cy.get('.ais-SearchBox').within(() => {
       cy.get('input').clear();
@@ -61,4 +44,48 @@ describe('Navbar', () => {
 
     cy.get('div.ais-Hits').should('not.be.visible');
   });
+
+  it('Should have a Sign In button', () => {
+    cy.contains("[data-test-label='landing-small-cta']", 'Sign In');
+  });
+
+  // have the curriculum and CTA on landing and /learn pages.
+  it(
+    'Should have `Curriculum` link on landing and learn pages' +
+      'page when not signed in',
+    () => {
+      cy.get(selectors.firstNavigationLink)
+        .contains('Curriculum')
+        .click();
+      cy.url().should('include', '/learn');
+      cy.get(selectors.firstNavigationLink).contains('Curriculum');
+    }
+  );
+
+  it(
+    'Should have `Sign In` link on landing and learn pages' +
+      'page when not signed in',
+    () => {
+      cy.contains(selectors.smallCallToAction, 'Sign In');
+      cy.get(selectors.firstNavigationLink)
+        .contains('Curriculum')
+        .click();
+      cy.contains(selectors.smallCallToAction, 'Sign In');
+    }
+  );
+
+  it('Should have `Profile` link when user is signed in', () => {
+    cy.login()
+      .get(selectors.lastNavigationLink)
+      .contains('Profile')
+      .click();
+    cy.url().should('include', '/developmentuser');
+  });
+
+  it('Should have a profile image with class `default-border`', () => {
+    cy.login()
+      .get(selectors.avatarContainer)
+      .should('have.class', 'default-border');
+    cy.get(selectors.defaultAvatar).should('exist');
+  });
 });
diff --git a/cypress/integration/learn/navigation-buttons/update-my-account-settings-button.js b/cypress/integration/learn/navigation-buttons/update-my-account-settings-button.js
index ee8ae4d324..5056cad2f6 100644
--- a/cypress/integration/learn/navigation-buttons/update-my-account-settings-button.js
+++ b/cypress/integration/learn/navigation-buttons/update-my-account-settings-button.js
@@ -2,18 +2,7 @@
 
 describe('The `Update my account settings` button works properly', function() {
   beforeEach(() => {
-    cy.visit('/');
-
-    cy.contains("Get started (it's free)").click();
-  });
-
-  it('Should get rendered', function() {
-    cy.contains('View my Portfolio').should(
-      'have.class',
-      'btn btn-lg btn-primary btn-block'
-    );
-
-    cy.contains('View my Portfolio').should('be.visible');
+    cy.login();
   });
 
   it('Should take user to their account settings when clicked', function() {
diff --git a/cypress/integration/learn/navigation-buttons/view-portfolio-button.js b/cypress/integration/learn/navigation-buttons/view-portfolio-button.js
deleted file mode 100644
index d5cfa82683..0000000000
--- a/cypress/integration/learn/navigation-buttons/view-portfolio-button.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,23 +0,0 @@
-/* global cy */
-
-describe('The `View my Portfolio` button works properly', function() {
-  beforeEach(() => {
-    cy.visit('/');
-
-    cy.contains("Get started (it's free)").click();
-  });
-
-  it('Button gets rendered', function() {
-    cy.contains('View my Portfolio').should(
-      'have.class',
-      'btn btn-lg btn-primary btn-block'
-    );
-
-    cy.contains('View my Portfolio').should('be.visible');
-  });
-
-  it('Button takes user to their portfolio when clicked', function() {
-    cy.contains('View my Portfolio').click();
-    cy.url().should('include', '/developmentuser');
-  });
-});
diff --git a/cypress/support/commands.js b/cypress/support/commands.js
index ba3a9d811f..02f383069c 100644
--- a/cypress/support/commands.js
+++ b/cypress/support/commands.js
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+/* global cy Cypress*/
 // ***********************************************
 // This example commands.js shows you how to
 // create various custom commands and overwrite
@@ -31,3 +32,8 @@
 //
 // -- This will overwrite an existing command --
 // Cypress.Commands.overwrite('visit', (originalFn, url, options) => {});
+
+Cypress.Commands.add('login', () => {
+  cy.visit('/');
+  cy.contains("Get started (it's free)").click({ force: true });
+});
diff --git a/tools/scripts/seed/seedAuthUser.js b/tools/scripts/seed/seedAuthUser.js
index 7acc21d482..4b27f985ab 100644
--- a/tools/scripts/seed/seedAuthUser.js
+++ b/tools/scripts/seed/seedAuthUser.js
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ const debug = require('debug');
 const log = debug('fcc:tools:seedLocalAuthUser');
 const { MONGOHQ_URL } = process.env;
 
+const defaulUserImage = require('../../../config/misc').defaulUserImage;
+
 function handleError(err, client) {
   if (err) {
     console.error('Oh noes!! Error seeding local auth user.');
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ MongoClient.connect(MONGOHQ_URL, { useNewUrlParser: true }, function(
         about: '',
         name: 'Development User',
         location: '',
-        picture: 'https://github.com/identicons/camperbot.png',
+        picture: defaulUserImage,
         acceptedPrivacyTerms: true,
         sendQuincyEmail: false,
         currentChallengeId: '',