Description

When the site Default Avatar (Settings → Discussion) is set to Blank, the Notes UI renders a blank circular avatar for note authors. From a design and usability perspective this empty circle looks unfinished and can be confusing — it’s not obvious whether the avatar failed to load, intentionally blank, or is a placeholder.

I have attached a screenshot that shows the blank round avatar in the Notes sidebar for reference.

Step-by-step reproduction instructions

1. Go to Settings → Discussion in WordPress.
2. Set Default Avatar to Blank and save changes.
3. Open the editor and enable the Notes / Block Commenting sidebar (or view a note in the editor canvas).
4. Observe the avatar shown for notes created by users without a profile image.

Screenshots, screen recording, code snippet

Environment info

• WordPress 6.8.3
• Gutenberg 22.0.0-rc.1

Please confirm that you have searched existing issues in the repo.

• Yes

Please confirm that you have tested with all plugins deactivated except Gutenberg.

• Yes

Please confirm which theme type you used for testing.

• Block
• Classic
• Hybrid (e.g. classic with theme.json)
• Not sure

cc @Mamaduka