Animation Principles - Absolute Beginner

Your First Look at Animation Magic

Animation makes drawings move in ways that feel real and fun. Disney animators discovered 12 tricks that make animation look great. Here they are in simple words:

1. Squash and Stretch

Things squish when they hit something and stretch when they move fast. Drop a ball - it flattens on the ground, then bounces back round.

2. Anticipation

Before a big move, there's a small move the other way. Before jumping up, you crouch down first.

3. Staging

Put important things where people will see them. Like putting the main actor in a spotlight on stage.

4. Straight Ahead and Pose to Pose

Two ways to draw: either draw every picture in order, or draw the important pictures first and fill in between.

5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action

When you stop, your hair keeps moving. Different parts move at different times, not all at once.

6. Slow In and Slow Out

Things speed up when starting and slow down when stopping. Like a car at a traffic light.

7. Arc

Most things move in curves, not straight lines. Throw a ball - it makes a rainbow shape in the air.

8. Secondary Action

Little movements that happen along with the main movement. Walking while whistling and swinging your arms.

9. Timing

How fast or slow something happens changes how it feels. Fast = exciting. Slow = calm or heavy.

10. Exaggeration

Make things bigger and more dramatic than real life. Cartoon characters can stretch their eyes wide when surprised.

11. Solid Drawing

Make flat pictures look like they have weight and depth. Things should feel like you could pick them up.

12. Appeal

Make characters interesting to watch. They should have something special that makes you want to keep looking.

Remember

You don't need to use all 12 at once. Start with one or two. The more you practice, the more natural they become.