1. A synthetic magnification micro-optic system comprising: (a) an array of image icons with a substantially regular array spacing between a substantial number of image icons within the image icon array; and (b) an array of image icon focusing elements, wherein the array of image icon focusing elements is disposed a substantially uniform distance from the array of image icons, at least a portion of the focusing elements forming at least one synthetically magnified image of at least a portion of the image icons, the at least one synthetically magnified image appearing to transform from one or more of a form, shape, size, or color to another of a form, shape, size or color, wherein, the system comprising the array of image icons and the array of image icon focusing elements has a thickness of less than 50 microns, or image icon focusing elements having an effective base diameter of less than 50 microns, or both.