Lesson: GIF Project

Lesson
Animated GIF

Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to create a silent animation using Photoshop techniques
Students will effectively be able to show motion through animation.
Students will come up with a script for their animation and develop a unique story that can flow continuously as a loop.
Mainly, this lesson will teach students about editing their work on computer software, and how to bring life to their drawings through simple photo manipulation and by using GIFS.

My Animated GIF:

finalcynthia.cousineau[1].gif
File Size:	5298 kb
File Type:	gif

Download File

My Animated Video

MELS Curriculum Competencies

Competency 1: Creates Personal Images

Students will be able to design their own original idea in the form of a drawing either in the traditional way, or using a computer.

Competency 2: Creates Media Images

Students will be able to use tools, such as Photoshop to design their own GIF animation. Students will also be able to manipulate a camera to photograph there drawings, if they choose to do the traditional drawing.

Competency 3: Appreciate works of art and cultural objects from the world’s artistic heritage, personal images and media images.

Students will examine the objects in their environment, and find inspiration within their environment or from other artists. Students will gain an understanding of the amount of work that goes behind the creation of each GIF and thus become more appreciative of these works. They will also discuss their final product with their peers and learn to appreciate the works of art of others.

Cross Curricular Competencies:

To use information: by consorting books and websites to help come up with a basic idea of how to draw an animation that has a good story and flows well as a loop.
To solve problems: students will learn how to transform the end of their animation into the beginning, to form a loop with their story.
To exercise critical judgement: Students would have to think critically about how they are going to apply motion to their art.
To communicate appropriately: To be able to clearly show a story with their GIF. To learn how to organize their ideas to create a narrative.

Questions of Inquiry

How can you transform a simple image into a small animation?
How can you make the end of your animation transition into the beginning?
Who is the main character or subject of your GIF?

Vocabulary

Animation: A technique of photographing two-dimensional drawings or the position of three-dimensional objects like puppets to create an illusion of movement as a film shown in sequence.

Background: A flat setting for a moving character in an animated film, usually an artwork.

GIF: a technique for formatting images that supports both animated and static images.

Loop: A structure, series or process that has an end that links to the beginning.

Frame: An individual still picture on a strip of film.

Photoshop: Image-editing software, which can be used when creating animations.

Script: the written story of a film.

Storyboard: A sequence of drawings, typically with some directions and dialogue, representing the shots planned for a movie or television production