12 Principles of Animation

The 12 principles define how to make realistic and believable animation, regardless of medium. This summary covers each principle in detail.

Squash and Stretch

• Definition: Illustrates speed, momentum, weight, or mass by literally squashing and stretching the subject.
• **Key Points:"
  • Objects under forces will squash/stretch.
  • Squashing/stretching helps show momentum and energy.
  • The volume of the object should remain constant.
  • Used in anticipation of actions, like a face's movement.

Anticipation

• Definition: Preparation for an action, making it realistic.
• **Key Points:"
  • Prepares audience for an action (e.g., a jump).
  • Anticipatory motion often moves in the opposite direction of the main action.
  • Adds flavor and clarity to actions, guiding audience attention.
  • Heavy actions may need multiple levels of anticipation.

Staging

• Definition: Combines various factors like composition, action, timing, etc., to improve clarity.
• **Components:"
  • Composition: Well-framed subjects; follow rules like rule of thirds.
  • Action and Timing: Allow actions to breathe.
  • Exaggeration and Characterization: Makes animation more engaging.
• Call to Action: Frame subjects properly and give adequate time for actions.

Straight Ahead and Pose to Pose

• Definition: Two animation methods: drawing frames sequentially (straight ahead) or planning important frames first (pose to pose).
• **Details:"
  • Straight Ahead: Good for free-flowing animations like fire, water.
  • Pose to Pose: Suitable for predictable actions; involves stages: keys, extremes, breakdowns, tweens.
  • Combining both techniques helps manage complex scenes.

Follow Through and Overlapping Action

• Definition: Parts move at different times; actions don’t stop abruptly.
• **Key Details:"
  • Follow Through: Parts overshoot the main subject's stopping point.
  • Overlapping Action: Different parts start/stop at different times.
  • Adds realism and polish.
  • Drag: Amount an object overlaps/follows through.
  • Keeps animations alive with minor continued movements.

Slow In and Slow Out

• Definition: Most movements start slow, speed up, then slow down before stopping.
• **Key Points:"
  • Adds realism, avoiding mechanical looks.
  • Different scenarios need varying amounts of slow in/out.

Arcs

• Definition: Movement along curves or arcs is more natural.
• **Examples:"
  • Picking an object looks better on an arc than straight.
  • Simple arcs improve realism and engagement.

Secondary Action

• Definition: Additional animations that support primary action.
• **Example:"
  • Primary: Character pushes another.
  • Secondary: Wind-up before push, facial expressions.
  • Not the same as secondary animation like follow-through.

Timing

• Definition: The duration of actions affects realism and audience perception.
• **Key Points:"
  • Correct timing follows the laws of physics.
  • Filming reference actions can help.
  • 24 frames per second is standard.
  • Using different frame rates (1s, 2s, 3s) for different motions.

Exaggeration

• Definition: Enhances impact by not sticking too closely to real life.
• **Principles:"
  • Reinforce ideas through staging.
  • Makes actions/emotions like anger more pronounced.

Solid Drawing

• Definition: Drawing with 3D volume to add weight, balance, and realism.
• **Key Points:"
  • Applies even to 2D styles.
  • Helps characters look consistent from any angle.
  • Draw rigging/bones first; add detail on top.

Appeal

• Definition: Creating engaging and dynamic characters/animations.
• **Principles:"
  • Highlight and contrast features to show personality.
  • Keep it simple and focus on one or two important aspects.
  • Combine all other principles to maximize engagement.

Thank you for joining this series on animation principles!