Animated Gifs
A High School Level Digital Art Lesson
Student Example - See more below
Project Objective:
Students will learn about basic animation techniques using a gif making process in Adobe Photoshop or similar program. They will be asked to create a story telling, 24 frame (minimum) animation that loops indefinitely. They will use their existing digital skills learned throughout the course as well as at least 3 of the 12 principles of animation to create a storyboard of a simple animation that has a beginning, middle and end, but easily transitions back to the beginning, coming full circle.
Techniques:
Adobe Photoshop or Photopea: Layers, Timeline (Photoshop only), Drawing using Pen Tool or Paintbrush (optional)
Requirements:
• Create a 24 frame (or more) HORIZONTAL animated gif that is 500-700 pixels wide (640x480 pixels, for example)
• You may either draw or use existing photos (can be black and white or color)
• Use at least 3 of the 12 principles of animation
• Create a 12 key frame storyboard prior to the start of your animation
• Show movement or at least one change
• Use a static (unchanging) background with multiple layers and/or frames
Media:
Adobe Photoshop or similar image editing/drawing software
Drawing Materials / Sketch / Storyboard Worksheet
Internet/research resource, Copyright free imagery
Concept or Theme:
Students are encouraged to look at flipbooks for inspiration to create a simple “story” and encouraged to practice gif making as well as create a 6-12 frame pose to pose storyboard to help create their gif image. They can choose their own theme or work with the theme of “One Change.” This could show something moving from one point to another or show something staying still but changing (for example a clock changing time or a facial expression changing). There does not have to be a full story or deeper meaning, but they could incorporate some type of symbolism that relates to the end of the school year and moving on to new beginnings.
Source Material:
Artists to look at:
Alan Becker
Ollie Johnston
Frank Thomas
Ben Zurawski
Student Examples:
