Explore: GIF making for illustration
This one-day course is an introduction to creating animated gifs using hand-drawn illustrated images.
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 09 Nov 2025End Date: 09 Nov 2025Sun (Daytime): 10:30 - 16:30In PersonFull fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00
- Start Date: 16 May 2026End Date: 16 May 2026Sat (Daytime): 10:30 - 16:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 1 sessionCourse Code: VZ439Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course will teach you how to take hand-drawn illustrations and transform them into a short looping animation.
You will learn how to simplify your illustration into a style frame suitable for animation and learn how to animate a simple movement using the basic principles of animation and techniques such as line boil.
You'll be encouraged to experiment with these techniques to discover which best suits your illustration style. You will be using Adobe Photoshop to sequence your hand-drawn images and will learn how to export your animation as a gif.
This course is suitable for learners who have a basic understanding of Photoshop and would like to learn how to animate their own illustrations using this software.
It will be taught in our dedicated Visual Communication studio which is equipped with macs and scanners, a range of Adobe software, drawing tablets, printers and a vast range of drawing and painting materials.
What will we cover?
Drawing illustrations suitable for animation
Scanning
Creating a line boil
Animating a simple movement which can be looped
Sequencing and animating with Photoshop
Exporting a gif
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Create an animated GIF from hand drawn images
Achieve skills and confidence in how animation can be applied to simple illustrations
Learn to use Photoshop as a tool for sequencing and animating images
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for beginners although a basic knowledge of Photoshop is required.
English-language competency is required: you should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be encouraged to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.
This course is supported by Google Classroom as a Virtual Learning Environment. When you log on you will be able to access course material, presentations, and handouts etc. and may be asked to complete learner progress records. You can find help via the student help centre on the City Lit website.
Please note it is important that you sign up and log in to your course Google classroom prior to the first session. Joining detail will be sent to you via email (check your junk/spam folder).
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Demonstrations of techniques
Practical tasks
Tutor and peer feedback will be used to evolve and improve your work
Additional/extension activities may be set for you to complete at home or outside of the course hours. Completion of additional tasks is encouraged to help you get the most out of the course. Where required your tutor will discuss these with you.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
At City Lit, access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring a A5/A4 sketchbook for the recording of ideas. Additional materials required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor if required.
Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off.
To get 15% LGC discount, you will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment and being a student at City Lit. You can apply in-store or by simply emailing info@londongraphics.co.uk with a scan or photo of relevant confirmation. Student discount does not apply to products that are already discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-discounts/
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
If you are interested in developing your skills further we recommend looking at our range of Graphic Design and Illustration courses as well as our courses in animation.
For more information about any of the courses on offer, please visit our website.
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/
Soph Wolfson is an illustrator, animator and educator with a love for visual storytelling. They have produced comics, infographics and illustrations for clients like The Guardian, Vice and Yale University Press. They also produce their own zines and graphic novels. Soph has a background in medical art and has frequently collaborated with scientists to tell visual stories about their work. They also run regular life drawing workshops and love to incorporate observational drawing into the process of creating imaginative and expressive artwork.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.