Applying for January classes? App/scholarship deadline extended through December 9th. Click here
Search Icon A magnifying glass icon.
Search Icon A magnifying glass icon.
Subject
Admissions

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Graphic Design Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Graphic Design Hub

Professional Certificates

Explore Graphic Design Career Courses

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Web Design Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Web Design Hub

Professional Certificates

Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Explore Web Design Career Courses

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Digital Media Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Digital Media Hub

Professional Certificates

Explore Digital Media Career Courses

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Digital Media Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Digital Media Hub
You can deepen your software skills and keep up with the latest Adobe CC updates in our online Digital Arts courses.
Contact Admissions

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Digital Photography Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Digital Photography Hub

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Explore Fine Arts Degree Courses

DEGREES

Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Illustration Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Illustration Hub

Professional Certificates

Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Explore Illustration Career Courses

DEGREES

Explore Advertising & Marketing Degree Courses
Discover Sessions Advertising & Marketing Hub

Professional Certificates

Explore Advertising and Marketing Career Courses

CERTIFICATES

Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Explore Sessions Career Courses
Professional Cert PLUS
Next Start:
January 1, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Explore Sessions Bachelor's Degrees
Next Start:
January 6, 2025
Next Start:
January 6, 2025

Introduction to Cinemagraphs

by Margaret Penney | May 9, 2017


Cinemagraphs are an inspiring and creative development in motion graphics for the web. You could describe them as a sophisticated, thoughtful, almost Zen minimalist take on the animated gif.

Cinemagraphs, on first view, appear like still photographs, but on closer inspection, one sees subtle movement. The leaves of a tree might slightly flutter, smoke wafts from behind a silhouette, or sequins on a dress glitter in the light. A successful cinemagraph captures a moment in time and presents it as a kind of contemplative vision, like a mise en scène in motion.

Designers and marketers are using cinemagraphs for product branding. Cinemagraphs are good at capturing a visual mood and provide an impressive way to introduce a brand story.

Creating a cinemagraph may appear simple, but like other minimalistic creative pursuits, an effective “less is more” approach can sometimes prove elusive.

Essentially, designers want to find a way to present a quality photo image first. The still image should hold up aesthetically in its own right. Then, the element to be animated should appear to loop seamlessly, without any jumps and starts. If the animation can appear to move endlessly, with no beginning and end, this will give the cinemagraph its meditative almost hypnotic appeal. Finally, the element to be animated should be something subtle and beautiful and a focal point of the image.

Cinemagraphs are created by taking short video clips and converting them into animated gifs in Adobe Photoshop. As with any animated gif, they are only a few frames long. Unlike other animated gifs, though, the still frames should be entirely sequential and smoothly looped, so the end result looks like it’s from a film sequence.

For inspiration, take a look at the excellent collection at cinemagraphs.com.

 

 

Margaret Penney is a former Managing Editor of Notes on Design. Margaret is a teacher, designer, writer and new media artist and founder of Hello Creative Co. Read more articles by Margaret.

 

For creatives seeking a thorough training in design, digital video, and motion graphics, Sessions College offers accredited, fully online digital media certificate and digital media degree programs. Contact Admissions for more information.

This blog is powered by Sessions College, the leading online school of visual arts.

©2024 Sessions College for Professional Design  All rights reserved

Terms & Conditions       Privacy Policy