This disclosure covers methods, computer-readable media, and systems that animate a digital graphic associated with a video or other visual media item based on a detected dynamic attribute. In particular, the disclosed methods, computer-readable media, and systems detect sensor data from a client device or a motion of an object within a video or other visual media item. Based on the detected sensor data or motion of an object within a visual media item, the methods, computer-readable media, and systems overlay and animate an emoji or other digital graphic selected by a user on a video or other visual media item.