In this assignment, you will create at least six media artifacts, and then post them to Instagram. The artifacts will be:
- At least two collages that use text to create a short, meme-like message
- At least two animated GIF files
- At least two stories built using multiple short videos that you have developed using a video editor.
We will work on these elements in stages. Follow these steps:
Stage 1. Collage Memes
Download Adobe Photoshop. (You can use a different image editor as long as it supports layers.)
Collage image 1: Open Photoshop and create an image that uses at least two visual elements that have been mixed together as layers. Also include a textual phrase that creates an ironic, humorous, or critical statement about the visual collage you have created.
Collage image 2: Create an image that uses at least four visual elements and that employs strategies of design and visual rhetoric. Add text to create a short caption or textual phrase that makes a statement about the composition.
When finished with stage, 1, use the Instagram postings option on our web site to share them with the class. You can also post them to Instagram.
The collage memes are due on Monday Feb 4th. The final submissions are due on February 20th.
Stage 1. Animated GIFs
Using Photoshop, create two animated GIF files, and post them to an online site. To create the files, you will need to learn to import short videos into Photoshop, and then work with their layers. Here is a tutorial that gives the details.
The logistics should be reasonably straightforward and we will go over them in class. The projects you develop should include:
1. Animated GIF Meme. Create an animated GIF that is a traditional meme lasting less than 2 seconds. Rip a very short video segment, and then add a textual callout to create an animated GIF file that might go viral. You might focus on human gestures, animals, sports incidents, etc. Be sure to find a clever phrase that will bring the meme together. (Note that the final version of this file should be less than 2 megabytes.)
2. Animated GIF Art. Create an experimental animated GIF that uses at least eight words in a creative expression. This expression should resonate with the visuals. You might also combine several visuals or experiment with the layers and timeline in Photoshop to create artistic effects. The resulting animated GIF will likely be between 3 and 10 seconds long. (Note that the final version of this file should be less than 10 megabytes.)
We will post these two GIFs to our class web site. I will provide further instructions. Post your GIFs by Monday, February 11th. The final versions are due on February 20th.
Stage 2. Instagram Stories. Create, post, and archive two Instagram stories. One story will consist of multiple images. The second story will include multiple videos. Here are the two components:
1. Multiple video story. This story will require that you create two or three sub-videos that will be combined into the main story that you post. The key challenge will be to link together small videos in a way that creates a larger message or that makes sense as a story. Here are some of the parameters to aim for:
- Your small videos should be between 10-15 seconds.
- The small videos should include words, following the insights for concision and surprise that you have developed working with memes.
- The eventual format for the videos should be square, perhaps 540X540
- There should be something that ties the three pieces together. (You could have a concrete story with a beginning, middle, and end; you might develop a motif that is picked up in each video; you could tie the pieces together with aesthetics or music)
Once you have a sense of the requirements, follow these steps:
First, brainstorm and "storyboard" your larger video. Think about the message you want to deliver, how the three smaller videos will relate to the larger piece, and how you will divide the larger video into subsides.
Next, compose your sub-videos. Use Adobe Rush, Photoshop, screen capturing, or whatever other tools might be helpful for your composing. When you have the videos drafted, save them in mp4 format.
2. Multiple image story. This story will require that you create at least 8 images that will be sequenced once you post your story to Instagram. Here are some parameters
- The images should be square, either 1080X1080 or 540X540
- The images should include words that have a rationale for the sequencing that is developed as you move through the images.
- The individual images should contribute to a larger story, message, or artistic piece.
- You (don't have to but) can include a music track using the Instagram function for adding music, but you will need to keep the total time below 15seconds for all of the images to be effective.
Once you have created the videos and images, move the materials to your phone. There are lots of ways to do this, so you might have to do some trial and error. The most straightforward is to e-mail them to yourself, and then download them to your photos app.
Next, log into Instagram and post the three videos as a Story. We will go over this in class, but you will also likely have to experiment a bit. Also post the sequence of images.
Next, once your stories have been posted, use the options in Instagram to Save them and post them to your Feed.
Finally, you will want to post all of these materials to our Web site. Complete this--as well as the two stages above--by February 20th.