Exercise #4: Gif Animation
Complete and turn into the Shared Server
Folder: lastname_e5
lastname_e5-1.psd
lastname_e5-1.gif
lastname_e5-2.psd
lastname_e5-2.gif
assets (always have an assets folder)
Technical Objective:
Create 2 animated gifs. You can animate objects, text, style in Photoshop, or use your camera and use a stop motion technique. You can also use photographs and animate composited layers.
Conceptual Objective:
The first gif can be experimental where you demonstrate that you are discovering your tools and does not have to possess deeper thought or meaning.
The second gif must demonstrate that you are expressing yourself conceptually. I want to see that you are considering what you are animating and that it has purpose. I want you to communicate an idea to your audience using animation.
Image Size:
Do not create an image over 800 x 800. If you bring in images that were taken at a higher resolution, Resize either through Bridge or in Photoshop > Image size
Recommendations:
You must have access to layers.
If working with text, I recommend converting your text layers to either Shape or Raster.
If you have many layers, I recommend moving layers that you do not intend to animate into a Group (basically organize your layers so that they are easy to manage.
Animate:
You can use "stop motion" / "frame by frame" animation OR you can tween.
TWEENING: You can only tween the following:
1. Position
2. Opacity
3. Layer Styles
4. Transform - if you convert to a Smart Object first. You won't be able to Position Tween it though.
It is entirely up to you whether you use Frame or Time Line (I will demo both)
You can loop or have your animation play a specified number of times.
Saving:
Changes to your layers or animated frames must be saved as psd
The animation - in order to play on the internet, must be saved as a gif format.
File > Export > Save for Web and Devices (legacy) - use the 2 or 4 “up” windows.
> Settings: Format: gif, Adaptive or Selective, Diffusion, 256 colors, No Web Snap,Lossy 0%
Viewing your animation:
The animation will be viewed on the screen in a browser window. (drag and drop gif onto browser icon).
Test your GIF before turning it in to the drop box on the server.
Examples:
Old Animation Devices
a riff on old animation techniques - stitched animation on a turntable
other modern 3D Zoetropes: Leaping Frogs || Fish Eating Fish
MORE LINKS:
Colossal - Blog Site / Many fantastic artists listed here
If We Don't, Remember Me (animating classic films)
Flux Machine (by Kevin Weir, providing a new narrative to old photographs)
Architecture Animee - by 1week1project
Other links that have received recognition:
Scorpion Dagger (by James Kerr, using Medieval paintings as a source for new possibilities)
Raphaëlle Martin (animating in the style of Renee Magritte)
Bran Meuir (creepy and surreal uses of old photographs)
dvdp (by David Szakaly, hypnotic)
GIPHY - a site & community devoted to gif animation
The Gifphoscope Award - an award devoted to the animated gif
Motion Photography Prize (2014), or view the entire list on Google+
Related (optical illusions)
AKIYOSHI KITAOKA - optical illusions (static images with the illusion of movement)