At first thought, animated GIFs might conjure up images of dancing “under construction” signs and cheesy banner ads circa the year 2000. Luckily, the creative minds of present-day animators, designers, illustrators, and digital artists are revisiting the technology and utilizing it in impressive new ways.

Whether it’s a website with strategically placed, imagery-rich cinemagraphs (photographs with a minor and repeated movement action) or an exploration into mind-bending art, there’s little question that animated GIFs remain a viable technology in design.

With this in mind, we’ve put together a collection of stellar GIF art from three wildly creative forces from across the globe.

Sure, the pulsating geometric patterns and loud colors that are intrinsic to their work might not translate into an e-commerce site; but these artists’ stylistic visions serve to remind us that experimenting with what’s considered rudimentary can produce some pretty fascinating results.

Paolo Ceric

Croatia-based digital artist Paolo Ceric’s began his creative work by watching coders and trying to replicate the outcome. Today, it’s evolved into a style all his own as he creates mind-blowing animated art using a variety of software, including Processing and Cinema 4D. In reference to coding, he observes, “It’s not hard to learn, but it takes time for it to let you be creative, like every other tool.” To read more about Ceric’s work, check out his blog, Patakk.

Skip Dolphin Hursh

Skip Dolphin Hursh is a self-identified designer, illustrator, animator, artist and thing-maker. Operating out of Brooklyn, New York, Hursh’s work shares a common thread of abstraction and vibrancy. His clients include Nickelodeon, Scholastic, and Discovery Channel; current projects can be seen on his website.

Davidope

Davidope (David Szakaly) is a Hungarian designer and creative director currently residing in a suburb of Budapest. His mind-warping animated patterns are typically black and white, with occasional bursts of psychedelic colors. Davidope’s work and global inspirations can be seen here.

Do you use animated gifs in your work? What uses could you find for them? Let us know in the comments.