GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format) are a way to create art through short, looping animations. Originally developed by Steve Wilhite at CompuServe in 1987 for image compression, GIFs quickly evolved into a creative tool due to their support for animation and transparency. Gifs are integral to internet culture, and can now be preserved on BTC.
Let’s meet a few Partner Artists who release work using this animated file format.
Jordi Gandul, an artist with a unique flair for animation, has been making waves with his captivating GIF art. His journey into the world of animated art started with a simple desire to push his creative boundaries. "I've always wanted to learn animation," Jordi shares. "I started exploring After Effects before NFTs became popular, but I stayed within my comfort zone and didn't push myself to learn more. Inspired by the amazing artworks minted on blockchains, I decided to dive in and teach myself." For Jordi, animation is a natural extension of his artistic expression. While his still pieces hold value, motion breathes life into his work in ways a static image simply cannot. "My style is meant to be animated. There's too much to convey with just a single image," he explains.
Working with GIFs, however, brings its own set of challenges, particularly with the medium’s inherent limitations in color palettes and file sizes. Yet Jordi sees these constraints as an opportunity to grow. "I never limit myself when creating; I do that after, with heavy compression," he says. With a background in graphic design, Jordi is no stranger to working with limited colors. However, the introduction of Ordinals—a system for inscribing digital art onto Bitcoin—pushed him even further. "Ordinals changed how I create GIFs, pushing me to explore pixel art to keep costs down, as my usual GIFs are large—48-96 frames, often 2160x2160, and around 20-40MB," he shares. The cost of inscribing such large files on the blockchain forced Jordi to adapt, but he embraces this as part of the creative process. "I love challenges!" he adds.
When it comes to creating a GIF, Jordi’s process is both detailed and methodical. It all begins with a sketch in Procreate, where he brainstorms characters and compositions. "I choose a color palette based on my mood, though I often change it later," he notes. After that, he moves on to vectorizing, a step he describes as "smooth and fun." This phase involves organizing each layer carefully to ensure a seamless animation workflow. While Jordi describes his animation techniques as basic, his attention to detail shines through. However, when it comes to inscribing an ordinal, the process takes a different turn. "I switch from vectors to Aseprite," he says, signaling a shift from his usual workflow to one tailored for Bitcoin.
For Jordi, GIFs hold immense narrative potential, making them more than just looping animations. "A GIF can quickly tell a story or capture a moment with just a few frames, making it perfect for conveying emotion or action in a loop," he explains. Jordi's art often incorporates intricate compositions and expressive characters, sometimes even adding text to build futuristic cities with neon screens. "You can convey a lot in a 1-second loop if you take a moment to think about it," he adds, underscoring the depth of storytelling possible within such a short, repeating format.
Of course, working with GIFs on Bitcoin presents its own set of challenges, particularly due to the platform's strict file size restrictions. But Jordi sees this as part of the fun. "I find the challenge fun; it pushed me to try new techniques, and I'm always up for that," he says. While his files tend to be large, he has adapted by creating pixel art on a 230x230px canvas, often reducing his GIFs to two-frame loops. Despite the size reductions, Jordi manages to maintain high quality by avoiding compression altogether. "Pixel art is amazing because it can be resized without losing quality," he explains.
For aspiring artists interested in working with GIFs, Jordi’s advice is simple: "Just go for it!" He recalls the excitement of learning animation and encourages others to embrace the process. "Far from being annoyed or intimidated by the software, I was eager to keep learning and very motivated," he says. And while programs like After Effects can be intimidating at first, Jordi reminds us that there are many other tools available to learn the basics of animation, making it easier than ever to get started.
CFW's journey into creating GIF art is deeply rooted in his background in brand films and editing. The dynamic nature of cinema has always resonated with him, adding layers of depth and movement that static images simply can’t achieve. "I found cinema (or movement) added so much depth to what I wanted to convey," he reflects. For CFW, the GIF format is the perfect vehicle for expressing this vision. "A slice in time felt best to be expressed with motion. GIFs are by far the best way to achieve them," he explains.
While the GIF medium offers unique storytelling opportunities, it also comes with significant limitations, particularly around color palettes and file sizes. But for CFW, these constraints are no longer a challenge—they've become part of his creative process. "I've found ways to truly optimize the GIF that fits the requirements while fulfilling its purpose of contained motion," he says. The technical aspects of making GIFs, like adjusting frame rates, resolution, and color counts, have become as exciting to CFW as the artistic process itself. "It’s now not just a free-flowing art-making process but mimics the process of a real-life painter using a fixed canvas size in some ways," he adds.
CFW’s creative workflow begins with a clear point of view. He describes his work as capturing "a slice in time," where the core elements are enriched by motion. "I typically work with a single point of view where the scene is rather a slice in time," he explains. To bring these scenes to life, he employs a combination of tools, including Cinema 4D and Photoshop, to create digital assets, which he then compiles in After Effects. The result is a digital collage that seamlessly blends different elements into a unified, animated work of art.
The narrative potential of GIFs is something CFW explores in almost all of his pieces. While every artist has their own way of expressing themselves, CFW feels particularly drawn to movement. "I seldom create artworks that are still," he shares. For him, thinking with movement is natural, and the GIF format becomes the final form of his work more often than not.
Despite his mastery of the medium, working within the constraints of Bitcoin, where file size restrictions can be strict, remains a challenge. However, CFW has found ways to adapt without sacrificing the quality of his work. "Having a slightly lower quality file for the purpose of mint and then providing my collectors with the original version has worked out for me," he says. By using the right compression techniques, adjusting frame rates, and employing dithering methods, he’s able to retain much of the detail and vibrance in his pieces. "It’s quite possible to retain as much detail and vibrance of the piece without having it severely affected in my opinion," he adds.
For aspiring GIF artists, CFW’s advice is to plan ahead. "Keeping in mind the finality of the piece, its mint platform, and viewing experience is required even before one begins a piece," he advises. Reworking a finished piece to suit the GIF format can be a complex and time-consuming process, so pre-planning the workflow and technical pipeline is key. With this thoughtful approach, artists can navigate the challenges of the medium while fully embracing its potential.
BEARBIGS, a dynamic artist known for their GIF artwork, draws inspiration from a desire to bring interactivity and rhythm into the digital art space. For them, the appeal of GIFs lies in the ability to explore time and rhythm—two elements that are often absent from static images. "The initial inspiration for creating artwork in GIF format came from the desire to bring an interactive and dynamic element into digital art," BEARBIGS explains. Unlike other digital formats, GIFs allow the visual experience to continuously shift, drawing the viewer’s attention to details they might otherwise overlook in still pieces. "GIFs reflect a modern and relevant art style in the digital space," they add, emphasizing their alignment with contemporary trends.
While GIFs present exciting opportunities, they also come with certain limitations—particularly in terms of color palettes and file size. But BEARBIGS doesn’t see these as obstacles; instead, they consider these constraints as part of the creative challenge that fuels their process. "Limitations like a restricted color palette and file size actually become part of the creative challenge that enriches my process," they say. By leveraging the high contrast between black, white, and gray, BEARBIGS creates striking visual effects without relying on a wide range of colors. Additionally, the necessity of working with smaller file sizes encourages a focus on simplicity and minimal movement, making each frame efficient in delivering the intended message.
When it comes to the actual process of making a GIF, BEARBIGS often starts with spontaneous ideas that stem from a variety of inspirations. "Ideas can come from various inspirations, including meme trends or absurd everyday situations," they note. These ideas are typically captured in rough sketches, allowing the raw energy of the concept to be preserved. From there, BEARBIGS decides which elements to animate based on the central theme, always keeping the movement minimal but impactful.
Despite their brevity, GIFs have immense narrative potential. BEARBIGS sees the looping nature of GIFs as an effective storytelling tool. "GIFs have a unique way of telling stories. Even though they're short and repetitive, they can effectively convey emotions or ideas," they explain. By focusing on key moments—whether it’s a subtle expression, a small repeated gesture, or a shift in color—BEARBIGS is able to convey complex emotions and ideas within the confines of a short animation. These carefully chosen details allow the artwork to communicate a powerful message, often without the need for dialogue or extended duration.
One of the biggest challenges BEARBIGS faces is working within the file size limitations when inscribing GIFs onto Bitcoin. However, they approach this with patience and strategy. "To achieve high-quality results within those limits, I focus on optimizing the file without losing its visual essence," they share. By using simple yet effective movements, such as short and repetitive loops, and reducing the number of frames, BEARBIGS is able to maintain the integrity of the piece without sacrificing its meaning or impact.
For aspiring artists looking to explore the GIF format, BEARBIGS offers a concise piece of advice: "Experiment with concepts, focus on movement, simplify your visuals, learn animation techniques, utilize social media, and join a community." This practical roadmap encourages artists to explore the technical and creative possibilities of GIFs while connecting with others in the space, ensuring growth both in terms of skill and exposure.
Resaang, an artist known for her dynamic use of GIFs, has found a way to inject movement into her art that simply isn’t possible with static images. Whether it's a subtle flicker or a more pronounced animation, she explains that the medium naturally allows for more movement, which is what originally drew her to it.
Though GIFs often come with limitations, such as restricted color palettes and file sizes, Resaang doesn’t let these constraints hinder her creativity. She admits she doesn’t think too much about them except when it comes to the final compression stage. Her focus remains on the artistic expression rather than the technical limitations.
When it comes to her creative process, Resaang works instinctively. She layers her artwork in Procreate and lets her intuition guide her in deciding which elements to animate. There isn’t a strict formula—she lets the flow of the piece direct the animation choices and techniques, adding to the organic feel of her work.
As for the narrative potential of GIFs, Resaang believes they can definitely tell a story if that’s what the artist intends. The looping format of a GIF can evoke reactions from viewers, making it a powerful tool for conveying emotions or ideas in a concise yet impactful way.
However, working within the file size restrictions of Bitcoin minting has been a challenge for Resaang. These limitations have affected her output, as creating high-quality work within such constraints is no small feat. Despite the difficulties, she continues to explore the medium and push the boundaries of what's possible in this evolving digital art space.
