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.