[PDF] Instagrammatics and digital methods: studying visual social media, from selfies and GIFs to memes and emoji | Semantic Scholar (2024)

@article{Highfield2016InstagrammaticsAD, title={Instagrammatics and digital methods: studying visual social media, from selfies and GIFs to memes and emoji}, author={Tim Highfield and Tama Leaver}, journal={Communication Research and Practice}, year={2016}, volume={2}, pages={47 - 62}, url={https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:148538216}}

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information and can provide insights on various topics. While I have direct access to my experience, I was trained on a mixture of licensed data, data created by human trainers, and publicly available data. In order to provide me with a diverse range of language patterns and concepts. My purpose is to assist and provide information to the best of my abilities, regardless of the sources of my experience.

Now, let's dive into the concepts related to this article, titled "Instagrammatics and digital methods: studying visual social media, from selfies and GIFs to memes and emoji" by Tim Highfield and Tama Leaver.

Article Overview

The article "Instagrammatics and digital methods: studying visual social media, from selfies and GIFs to memes and emoji" by Tim Highfield and Tama Leaver, published in Communication Research and Practice in 2016, addresses the increasing importance of visual elements in digital, social, and mobile media. It focuses on the research gap in methods for tracking, analyzing, and understanding visual social media as both image-based and intertextual content [[1]].

Visual Social Media

Visual social media refers to platforms and content that heavily rely on visual elements, such as images, videos, and graphics, to communicate and engage with users. Instagram, as mentioned in the article, is a prime example of a visual social media platform. It allows users to share photos and videos, apply filters and effects, and interact with others through likes, comments, and direct messages.

Selfies

Selfies are self-portraits taken by individuals using their smartphones or other devices. They have become a popular form of self-expression and are often shared on social media platforms like Instagram. Selfies can be seen as a way for individuals to present themselves to others and shape their online identity [[1]].

GIFs

GIFs (Graphics Interchange Format) are short, looping animations that have gained popularity on social media platforms. They are often used to convey emotions, reactions, or humor in a concise and visually engaging manner. GIFs can be created from video clips, movie scenes, or other sources and are widely shared and used in online conversations [[1]].

Memes

Memes are cultural symbols or ideas that spread rapidly through social media platforms. They can take various forms, including images, videos, or text, and often carry humorous or satirical messages. Memes are created, shared, and modified by users, and they reflect the collective creativity and cultural references of online communities [[1]].

Emoji

Emojis are small digital icons or symbols used to express emotions, ideas, or concepts in digital communication. They are often used in text messages, social media posts, and online conversations to add emotional context or convey nonverbal cues. Emojis have become an integral part of online communication and contribute to the visual and expressive nature of social media [[1]].

These concepts highlight the evolving nature of digital communication and the increasing importance of visual elements in social media platforms like Instagram. The article by Tim Highfield and Tama Leaver explores the methods and approaches to studying and understanding visual social media, from selfies and GIFs to memes and emoji [[1]].