Technology may come and go, but the Animated GIF (pronounced “jiff”) has stood the test of time. Introduced in 1987, the GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a compressed image file format that also allows for animation. Even if you’ve never heard of GIFs, chances are you’ve seen them used on sites like Tumblr, Buzzfeed, and other social media. Join us as we explore the history and technology of the GIF, explain how to find GIF files for almost any use imaginable, and discuss how to create your own GIF files from video and pictures. We’ll also explore how libraries are making use of animated GIFs across their social media sites, as well as limitations of this file format. Can’t attend the live event? Register over here for access to the recording, made available within 7 days of the live webinar. Instructor Bio ~ Rachel Eichen Rachel Eichen is a certified presenter who has had over three years of teaching experience. She has taught computer classes to passengers on the Grand Princess cruise ship, which included such topics as Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office. She also taught classes while working within the software industry. She enjoys learning about new technology trends and loves sharing this information with others. Rachel holds a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science and a bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing.

1. Rachel Eichen
Novare Library
Services
ANIMATED GIFS

2. How much do you already know about
GIFs (1-10?)
QUICK POLL

3. What are GIFs?
Uses Today
Limitations
Finding GIFs
Make Your Own
AGENDA

4. WHAT ARE GIFS?

5. Pronounced “JIF”
Graphics Interchange Format
Series of moving images
BASICS

6. Started by Compuserve in 1987
Animated it in 1989
Help with slow browsers and no video
HISTORY

7. Also transparent
Only 256 total colors to save on size
HISTORY

8. No software to download
Works on every platform
Plays automatically
WHY SO POPULAR?

9. GEOCITIES

10. POPULAR EARLY GIFS

11. MYSPACE

12. OVER 25 YEARS OLD BUT STILL USED!
(UNLIKE MOST TECHNOLOGY)

13. USES TODAY

14. More tools to create
More media to pull from
More places to put it all
MORE GIFS THAN EVER

15. IMGUR

16. TUMBLR

17. WHAT SHOULD WE CALL ME?

18. REACTION GIFS

19. More versatile than text
MRW
REACTION GIFS

20. BUZZFEED

21. MEMES

22. REPLAY MOVIES/TV

23. REPLAY NEWS

24. GIF AS AN ART

25. LIBRARY USES

26. INSTRUCTIONS/TUTORIALS

27. SHOWING OFF A COLLECTION

28. LIBRARY TOUR

29. HUMOR

30. PROMOTE EXHIBITS

31. LIFE INTO OLD BOOKS

32. SHOWCASE EVENTS
http://makeagif.com/25IKQq

33. SHOW OFF STAFF

34. LIBRARIAN PROBLEMS
www.librarianproblems.com

35. SMITHSONIAN LIBRARIES (TUMBLR)
http://smithsonianlibraries.tumblr.com/

36. HUNTINGTON LIBRARY (TUMBLR)
http://huntingtonlibrary.tumblr.com/

37. LIMITATIONS

38. Tumblr (But with restrictions)
Imgur
Twitter (new for 2014!)
Blogs (Wordpress & Blogger)
Pinterest (sort of)
Reddit (just a link)
WHERE YOU CAN SHARE

39. 1MB Limit
Reblogs work best
TUMBLR

40. PINTEREST

41. File size limit =
3 MB
TWITTER

42. Facebook (but can link)
Outlook (newer versions don’t animate)
Windows file preview
WHERE CAN’T YOU SHARE

43. No sound
Only 256 colors no matter what!
Image not easy to edit once created
Too many can slow a page down
Can be clunky on mobile
OTHER DISADVANTAGES

44. Use fewer frames
Crop it to make it smaller
Resize it
Use fewer colors
Break up file into multiple images
WAYS TO SHRINK FILE SIZE

45. MULTIPLE IMAGES
http://imgur.com/gallery/0Jyof

46. EZGIF.COM

47. FINDING GIFS

48. GIPHY.COM

49. Search tools > Any type > Animated
Will not animate in preview
GOOGLE IMAGE SEARCH

50. REDDIT & IMGUR
http://imgur.com/r/gifs
http://reddit.com/r/gifs

51. Mr. GIF
Reality TV GIFs
GIFs from last night (TV/Movie)
Animal GIF
Search tags
See what other library tumblrs post
TUMBLR!

52. CINEMAGRAPHS.COM

53. MAKE YOUR OWN

54. MAKEAGIF.COM

55. CINEMAGRAM
https://cinemagr.am/

56. RECORDIT.CO

57. GIMP (FREEWARE)
http://www.gimp.org/

58. Photoshop (if you have it)
GIF Brewery ($5, for mac only)
GIFFing tool (Windows, PWYW)
OTHER TOOLS ($$$)

59. Less is more!
Save gifs on your computer for use later
Think small and short
Remember your limitations
BEST PRACTICES

60. Smithsonian Library – How to make your
own Animated GIFs
How to make animated gifs with GIMP
How to make simple animation with
photoshop (Youtube)
RESOURCES

61. QUESTIONS

62. adverb@gmail.com
Rachel Eichen
www.learnsurge.com
www.novarelibrary.com
slideshare.net/adverb