Notes on the 12 Principles of Animation

1. Squash and Stretch

• Animated objects elongate or flatten to showcase speed, momentum, weight, and mass.
• Example: Bouncing ball with squash and stretch looks like a water balloon, while one without looks like a bowling ball.
• Applies to characters and facial expressions to emphasize emotions.
• Key Point: Maintain volume; as an object stretches, it should also narrow, and as it squashes, it should widen.

2. Anticipation

• Prepares the audience for the next action, making animation more realistic.
• Examples:
  • Character crouching before jumping.
  • Punching action involves winding up before delivering the punch.
• Helps communicate actions clearly, avoids competing actions.
• Can be used for visual surprises, leading the audience's eyes.
• Multiple levels of anticipation can enhance animation complexity.

3. Staging

• Presentation of ideas should be clear and unmistakable.
• Control the viewer's focus through acting, timing, camera angles, and settings.
• Ensure main actions are centered or appropriately positioned on the screen.
• Overlapping actions and clear timing improve clarity and focus.
• Key Point: Convey ideas strongly and avoid distractions or competing visuals.

4. Straight Ahead and Pose to Pose

• Straight Ahead: Draw frames sequentially, ideal for unpredictable actions like fire or water.
• Pose to Pose: Create key poses first, then fill in between for better control.
• Benefits of Pose to Pose:
  • Easier to catch mistakes early.
  • Control over character's positioning.
  • Helpful for complex movements.

5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action

• Body parts should continue moving after the main body stops.
• Example: Ears or hair should drag behind the main body movement.
• Adds realism and graceful movement.
• Key Point: Movement should be staggered to enhance fluidity.

6. Slow In and Slow Out

• Movements should start slow, build speed, and finish slowly to feel lifelike.
• Adjust motion curves in 2D and 3D to create this effect.
• Helps avoid mechanical motion in animation.
• Key Point: Use evenly spaced drawings to convey realistic motion.

7. Arcs

• Movements should follow a circular path, not straight lines.
• Example: A ball should follow an arc to look realistic.
• Avoid mechanical movements by integrating arcs into animations.

8. Secondary Action

• Gestures that support the main action for added dimension.
• Example: Arm movements while walking angrily.
• Ensure secondary actions do not overshadow the primary action.

9. Timing

• The number of frames affects the speed of actions.
• More drawings = slower action; fewer drawings = faster action.
• Varying frame rates can change the perception of actions.
• Key Point: Control the pacing for character actions to convey desired emotions.

10. Exaggeration

• Taking poses and actions to the next level for greater impact.
• Enhances clarity of emotions and actions.
• Key Point: Exaggeration should enhance the essence of the action without distorting it.

11. Solid Drawing

• Characters should feel three-dimensional with volume, weight, and balance.
• Use basic shapes for rough drafts to understand form.
• Avoid symmetry; create variety in designs for dynamic appeal.

12. Appeal

• Characters should be visually appealing, charismatic, and interesting.
• Use variety in shapes, proportions, and simplify details for ease of animation.
• Key Point: Appeal is subjective; design characters to enhance their uniqueness.

Conclusion

• The series covers the 12 principles of animation to help improve animation skills.
• The next topic will focus on walk and run cycles.