May 1, 2024
4 minute read
Animation is the process of creating the illusion of movement by displaying a series of still images in rapid succession. The principles of animation are a set of guidelines that help animators create realistic and believable movement. These principles were first developed by Disney animators in the early 20th century, and they have since become the foundation of animation around the world.
What are the 12 Principles of Animation?
The 12 principles of animation are:
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Squash and stretch: Objects should deform and stretch in a realistic way when they move.
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Anticipation: A movement should be preceded by a preparation or anticipation movement.
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Staging: The camera should be positioned in a way that clearly shows the action and conveys the story.
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Straight ahead action and pose to pose: There are two main methods of animation: straight ahead action (animating one frame at a time) and pose to pose (animating key frames and then filling in the in-betweens).
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Follow through and overlapping action: After an object moves, it should continue to move for a short time after the force is applied.
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Slow in and slow out: Objects should accelerate and decelerate gradually, rather than moving at a constant speed.
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Arcs: Objects should move in arcs, rather than straight lines.
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Secondary action: In addition to the main action, there should be secondary actions that add detail and realism.
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Timing: The timing of the animation should be consistent and appropriate for the story.
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Exaggeration: Animation can be exaggerated to make it more expressive and entertaining.
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Solid drawing: Animators should have a strong understanding of drawing, so that they can create characters and objects that look realistic and believable.
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Appeal: Animation should be visually appealing and entertaining.
Why are the Principles of Animation Important?
The principles of animation are important because they help animators create realistic and believable movement. By following these principles, animators can create characters and objects that move in a way that is consistent with the laws of physics and the way that we perceive movement in the real world. This helps to create a sense of immersion and realism, which can make the animation more enjoyable and engaging for viewers.
How Can I Learn the Principles of Animation?
There are many ways to learn the principles of animation. One way is to take an online course. There are many different online courses available, and they can provide a comprehensive introduction to the principles of animation. Another way to learn the principles of animation is to read books and articles about the subject. There are many different books and articles available, and they can provide a wealth of information on the principles of animation.
What are Some Online Courses on the Principles of Animation?
There are many different online courses on the principles of animation. Some of the most popular courses include:
- After Effects CC: Motion Graphics & Animation Principles
- Building Go Web Services and Applications
- Introduction to Animation
- The Animator's Survival Kit
- Animation Bootcamp
These courses can provide a comprehensive introduction to the principles of animation, and they can help you develop the skills you need to create your own animations.
What are Some Career Options for Animators?
There are many different career options for animators. Some of the most popular career options include:
- Character animator
- 3D animator
- Motion graphics animator
- Visual effects animator
- Game animator
Animators can work in a variety of industries, including film, television, video games, and advertising.
What are Some Tips for Learning the Principles of Animation?
Here are a few tips for learning the principles of animation:
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Start by studying the basics. Learn about the different principles of animation and how they work. This will give you a solid foundation for creating your own animations.
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Practice, practice, practice. The best way to learn the principles of animation is to practice. Try animating different objects and characters, and experiment with different techniques.
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Get feedback from others. Ask friends, family, or other animators to critique your work. This will help you identify areas where you can improve.
Have fun! Animation is a lot of work, but it can also be a lot of fun. Enjoy the process of learning and creating.
Can I Learn the Principles of Animation Online?
Yes, you can learn the principles of animation online. There are many different online courses and resources available that can teach you the basics of animation. However, it is important to note that online learning is not a substitute for hands-on experience. If you want to become a professional animator, you will need to practice and apply the principles of animation in a real-world setting.
Find a path to becoming a Animation Principles. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/topic/y9euvc/animation
Reading list
We've selected 28 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Animation Principles.
Is widely considered the bible of animation. It thoroughly covers the fundamental principles of animation, including timing, spacing, walks, runs, weight, and more. It's an essential resource for anyone looking to gain a broad understanding and solidify their knowledge of animation principles, regardless of the animation medium. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic institutions and by industry professionals.
Focuses on the crucial link between acting and animation, teaching animators how to create compelling and believable character performances by applying acting principles. It's essential for deepening understanding of character motivation, emotion, and physical expression in animation. The latest edition includes analysis of contemporary animated films.
Timing is one of the most critical principles of animation, and this book provides a detailed exploration of how to use timing effectively to convey weight, emotion, and speed. It's a focused resource for deepening understanding of this specific principle and is valuable for both beginners and experienced animators.
Comprehensive guide to the principles of timing in animation. It covers everything from the basics of timing to advanced techniques for creating dynamic and believable movement. This book great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the art of timing.
Fantastic resource for learning the basics of cartoon animation principles, focusing on character development and dynamic movement. While originally published in 1994, its lessons on timing, dialogue animation, and character design remain relevant for beginners and those interested in traditional 2D animation. It's an excellent starting point for gaining a broad understanding.
A collection of lectures from another influential Disney animator, this book emphasizes the importance of life drawing and capturing movement and energy. It provides a strong foundation in observational skills crucial for applying animation principles effectively. It's highly valuable for both background knowledge and deepening understanding of dynamic posing and action.
The second volume of Stanchfield's lectures continues to build upon the principles of dynamic drawing and observation for animation. It offers further insights and exercises to help animators improve their ability to depict believable motion and form, serving as a continuation for deepening understanding.
While not solely focused on animation principles, this book is invaluable for animators as it teaches how to capture energy, weight, and form in drawings. Understanding these concepts is fundamental to creating dynamic and believable animation. It serves as excellent prerequisite knowledge for solidifying animation principles related to movement and physics.
Bridges classic animation principles with contemporary animation production, offering guidance on how to apply timeless techniques in a modern context. It's particularly relevant for students and professionals working with digital tools and looking to maintain a strong foundation in principles.
Focuses on the principles and techniques for animating natural phenomena and effects, such as water, fire, and smoke. While specific to effects animation, it reinforces fundamental principles like timing, spacing, and weight in a different context. It's useful for those looking to broaden their understanding beyond character animation.
This comprehensive book covers the principles and techniques specific to 3D computer animation and effects. While it includes broader animation principles, it focuses on their application within a 3D digital pipeline. It's essential for those specializing in 3D animation.
Focuses on analyzing movement and action to inform animation. It helps animators observe and understand how things move in the real world to create more convincing animation, reinforcing the principles of timing, spacing, and weight through observation and analysis.
Developing compelling characters is intrinsically linked to animation principles that convey personality and emotion. focuses on character design and how it informs performance, making it a valuable companion for understanding how design impacts the application of animation principles.
Understanding animal anatomy and movement is highly beneficial for animators, particularly for character animation. provides detailed guidance on drawing various animals and capturing their action and personality, reinforcing principles of anatomy, weight, and movement. It's a useful reference for specific animation tasks.
Another valuable resource from Eric Goldberg, this handbook explores various animation techniques, reinforcing how fundamental principles are applied across different methods. It's a good reference for understanding the versatility of animation principles.
Focuses on simplified drawing techniques specifically for animation planning, helping animators quickly sketch out ideas and poses while keeping animation principles in mind. It's a practical guide for improving workflow and applying principles efficiently during the planning stages.
Classic work on the principles of animation. It was written by one of the pioneers of animation, and it provides a wealth of insights into the art of creating believable and engaging characters. This book must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about the fundamentals of animation.
Provides a detailed guide to stop-motion animation, explaining how fundamental animation principles are applied to puppets and physical models. It's a key resource for those interested in or practicing stop-motion techniques.
Focusing on stop-motion animation as practiced by the acclaimed Aardman Animations, this book provides insights into applying animation principles in a 3D physical medium. It's a great resource for those interested in stop-motion or looking to see how principles translate across different techniques.
Practical guide to the art of stop-motion animation. It covers everything from the basics of creating characters to advanced techniques for creating complex and realistic animations. This book great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the art of stop-motion animation.
While focused on storyboarding, this book is relevant as storyboarding is where animation principles like staging, timing, and camera angles are first planned. Understanding storyboarding strengthens the application of these principles in the animation process. It's particularly useful for those interested in the pre-production aspects of animation.
Provides an overview of the digital animation production pipeline, covering various aspects from concept to completion. While not solely focused on principles, it discusses how animation principles are applied within a digital workflow, making it relevant for understanding contemporary practices.
Comprehensive history of the art of stop-motion animation. It covers everything from the early days of the medium to the present day. This book great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the history of stop-motion animation.
Practical guide to the art of character animation. It covers everything from the basics of creating characters to advanced techniques for creating complex and realistic animations. This book great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the art of character animation.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/y9euvc/animation
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