For this last project module for DGST101, my group (and apparently many other groups!) chose to experiment with animated GIFs. To differentiate ourselves from what other groups would possibly talk about, we decided to look at how GIFs help to display reactions, education, and art, tips for making GIFs, and how to convert GIFs to GFYs.

I focused on looking at special tips for making GIFs. This was not hard to find, as many bloggers and GIF-enthusiasts have found the essentials for making GIFs better quality. I gathered information from various blogs that listed similar tips. Essentially, to make an HD GIF, you need to start with an HD video (preferably 720p or 1080p). It is also imperative that you use an image editing program such as Photoshop for GIF creation. Creating a GIF that plays smoothly requires attention to FPS (frames per second) and GIF size. One blog mentioned that a consistent color scheme was important for GIFs to look good and run well.

I had no idea that all of these factors contributed to the creation of an excellent GIF. Every time I make GIFs (using GIMP because I don’t have Photoshop), my GIFs run well, but are often choppy and poor quality. Perhaps the next time I make a GIF, I will take in these special considerations and experiment with GIMP to see if I can produce a high quality animation.