вЂњI prefer using the timeline to cut and hide each layer for pacing.вЂќ Often drawing versions of the same image to add variety,вЂќ Davis says. вЂњI create an image for each step of the sequence. This can be done with great precision in Adobe Photoshop. Make an effort to ensure each motion is correctly paced.вЂќ To make your movement feel authentic and add a touch of reality, Davis says, вЂњTiming is essential. Even adding slight movement to some type or adding shine to something will bring dimension and interest to a design.

вЂњMake edges meet back up and work to make things that come back around and connect in a circle,вЂќ he says. HaydenвЂ™s number one rule for creating GIFs is that the GIF should be something that looks natural in a loop. A small tease of something good to come can be a large draw to website visitors.вЂќ Creating GIFs A GIF is the perfect way to show that there is much more to be seen. вЂњAlso, let us not forget the appeal of a tease. вЂњThe subtle animation of GIFs can convert a striking image into a charming encounter which will help viewers understand the brand experience,вЂќ says Davis. It is this power of storytelling and unassuming movement that make GIFs ideal for website hero images and backgrounds. вЂњIt is quite literally eight images compounded into one experience, that in itself makes it eight times more interesting than a static image.вЂќ вЂњWe have noticed the power of a GIF not only in the way it delights and inspires, but in its ability to tell a story,вЂќ Davis says. Hayden is currently the designer at Tattly Temporary Tattoos, where he works on a small creative team to create GIFs that help their brand not only sell their quality product, but also entertain and awe their viewers. He will often create three similar versions of something, then morph it into a GIF to add a quirky touch. A small addition can bring typography to life or highlight accents.вЂќДavis particularly likes incorporating GIFs to bring his typography and illustrations to life. вЂњI think adding just a small movement makes things more realistic, and adds a hint of whimsy.

вЂњMaking an image into a GIF can give it a touch of motion without making a completely separate video file that would take forever to load,вЂќ he says. Multimedia artist and designer Hayden Davis uses GIFs to easily add subtle motion to his work. Used as a website hero image or background, you can add eye-catching animation to an otherwise static experience. With a few easy steps and hints from designer Hayden Davis and cinemagraph co-creator Kevin Burg, youвЂ™ll find they are not only fun to create but also an extremely valuable tool for adding dimension to your work. This compression makes the files easily sharable, loop continuously, and it doesnвЂ™t require you to вЂњpress playвЂќ to begin the animation.ДonвЂ™t let Cinemagraphs and GIFs intimidate you. Unlike SVG animation, which requires coding and is not always easily integrated into every platform, GIFs and cinemagraphs are compressed files that present themselves in a small repeated motion sequence.

Cinemagraphs and GIFs are perfect for designers to add life and movement to a brand, to a social media post, or to a website as hero images, not to mention theyвЂ™re a fun way for brands to relate to their audiences.

In a digital, visual world, adding interest to your designs is critical. Adding Life to Your Brand with Cinemagraphs and GIFs

Fun cinemagraph ideas