MEMEs
Like their repetitively moving counterpart, memes are coming up trumps in the social media community. Now whilst GIFs are common features of various forms of online journalism, memes are like their frozen, less complicated (but equally funny) brother. memes are perfect for not only those creating online content, but also for those reacting to it. Why? Because (like GIFs) they are stupidly easy to make, with the only tricky part is the witty captions.
So whilst it seems that memes are popping up on every page you click online, all thanks to the social media comedians behind them finding priceless images of facial expressions and adding in a witty caption to complete the mood, it does tend to make one wonder, where they came from?
A Bit of Meme History
Whilst most regard a MEME as still image with top and bottom bold white text displaying a humorous comment, the actually original concept of the MEME is an idea, style or action that has spread through the internet, often in the form of mimicry through social media, they're basically like big fat jokes. However now with most internet memes being image base, the description seems to have changed to an image.
The first sign of the meme e all know and love today arose in 2003, with the 'O RLY?' Owl. The caption occurred after it was popularised in 2003 through the Something Awful Internet forums as slang for "OH REALLY?" (pretty obvious). It acted as a deadpan response to any statement that was deemed incredibly doubtful or obviously true. The background image was stolen from something a little more serious a few years before. The photo of the Snowy Owl was taken by nature photographer John White, and was posted on 17th Feb 2001, to a Usenet newsgroup called alt.binaries.pictures.animals. What most people don't know is that White has sent countless cease and desist letter to those using the image without his permission (let's hope he doesn't spot this page then).
Since the 'O RLY?' Owl's viral success which occurred several years after it's created, in 2005 via anonymous online forum 4chan, image memes have splurged across the Internet, retaliating to every idiotic comment posted online. With various follow ups like the 'I Can Has A Cheezburger?' Cat spawning in 2006, and the FAIL meme in 2008, the multi-functional viral image has developed into quite a phenomena.
The best thing about still image memes, is that they undoubtedly the easiest viral phenomena to create. All you need to know are three key features to creating hilariously fantastic still image memes.
Three Key Features to Meme Creation
1. Choose your platform
Whilst Adobe Photo is a great option when thinking about creating one yourself, there are also loads of free online alternatives that do the work for you. Imgur acts as an incredibly efficient meme generator as it obtains an built-in tool for the exact purpose. It includes a drop down menu that allows you to choose your image for the background, which you can retrieve from your own computer device or in web, whilst also offering editing and caption options. Although it contains minor faults in terms of lengthily loading time and limited editing options, Imgur basically does what it says on the tin, and allows you to make easy and simply brilliant Meme's like this...
Various other specialist websites include the likes of MemeGenerator.net and MemeDad.com. These both, of course, provide extremely similar features to Imgur, however Meme Generator does display a small watermark, which may fail your creativity slightly; whilst Meme Dad has limited sharing options (but you can totally work around that).
2. Choose an appropriate image
Selecting an image for your Meme is incredibly easy. Want to know why? Because you can make practically any image funny with an obscure and witty caption. The key with Meme images is to try and select something which could have a personality, which is why our previously mentioned, 'I Can Has A Cheezburger?' Cat and 'O RLY? Owl' worked so well, because their faces said it all. So try and pic a picture of either somebody pulling an over exaggerated expression, or your pet Goffer yawning, just make sure it's not like this...
instead, try make it more like this...
3. Remember your font
The main thing you want this meme to make is an impact, which is extremely coincidental because that is the exact font used for most still image Memes! The bold still of font, which is usually presented in bright white with a thick black outline is the chosen style for most experience Meme'ers. So remember, if you want to make an impact, chose Impact.
Whilst the font of your Meme is of course super important, the witty remark it displays is also a huge feature of your Meme, after all it's what everybody will laugh at once you share it with your Facebook friends. So the key aspect for this is to figure out what your image is saying (the most unthought-of the better), and to keep it simple. If (like myself) you often struggle to think of something completely original, just think of various pop culture references or things everyone can relate to...
Oh come on... we've all done it!
It seems that the best Memes out there accommodate to three things - They keep it simple. Say what everybody's thinking. And are as originally or intelligently funny as possible. The key is to keep giving it ago, share you creations around via Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. It has never been easier to join the Meme'olution (that's Meme-evolution for those who were wondering), so what are you waiting for?
