Adobe Photoshop in Motion for New Innovative Visual Projects

Purpose & objective

This session highly supports students as knowledge constructors and creative communicators. According to a recent Adobe creativity study, 88% of U.S. professionals believe that creativity should be built into standard curricula. To be successful, students need an education that emphasizes creative thinking, communication, and teamwork. Quoting Sir Ken Robinson, “Creativity is not an option, it’s an absolute necessity.”

Photoshop users at any experience level will learn some overlooked but amazing features of Photoshop Creative Cloud version that can expand creativity in student projects and let students illustrate their learning in new ways. The concept of managing Layers will be first be reviewed to ensure success with motion projects. Using sample files, the presenter will create a GIF animations(frame animation), including using the incredible Puppet Warp feature. GIF animation concepts will also be used to create cinemagraphs (a still photograph that contains an element of movement, to look like a “living” photo).

The purpose of the session is to promote creativity and motivate new ways of thinking about digital image projects by adding motion. Creating motion projects helps students build planning, sequencing, and organizing skills, and the resulting GIF file format allows the projects to be easily published and shared online. As a result of attending the session, participants will be able to
-demonstrate effective management of layers in a Photoshop project.
-create “movement” of a still object using the Puppet Warp tool.
-arrange frames and plan timings for the animation.
-export to an animated GIF format.
-preview animated GIFs in a browser window.
-use layer mask concepts with video clips to create cinemagraphs.
-access the session web page for review, downloadable files, and additional resources.
-replicate these activities in the classroom with students.

Outline

In webinar format the presenter will show participants how to create animated GIFs and cinemagraphs that convey a message or emotion, or tell a story. Participants will have access to a web page with step-by-step instructions and downloadable files so they can practice and review.
1. Session introduction
2. Intro to Photoshop workspace—including navigation & panels
3. Introduction to layers using a sample file
4. With a new file, move regions of a still image using puppet warp while duplicating layers for the frame animation
5. Preview the frame animation and assign loops and timing
6. Export to GIF format and preview in a browser
7. Convert a short video clip into a GIF animation
8. See samples of cinemagraphs online
9. Use a short video clip to create a cinemagraph
10. Access a web site with free downloadable video clips and learn how to shorten them on the Photoshop Timeline for use in cinemagraphs.
11. Closure and Q & A.

Supporting research

Adobe. “Adobe State of Create: 2016.” Adobe State of Create: 2016, 3 Oct. 2016, www.adobe.com/content/dam/acom/en/max/pdfs/AdobeStateofCreate_2016_Report_Final.pdf.

Phillips, Cheryl. “Exploring History through Animation.” Creative Educator, 2013, www.thecreativeeducator.com/2013/connections/exploring-history-through-animation.