12 Principles of Animation

1. Squash and Stretch

• Definition: Animated objects get longer or flatter to emphasize speed, momentum, weight, and mass.
• Examples: Bouncing ball with and without squash and stretch.
• Mass Indication: More squash/stretch = softer; Less squash/stretch = stiffer.
  • Water balloon vs. Bowling ball.
• Characters: Stretching from speed, squashing upon landing, exaggerating facial expressions.
• Consistency: Keep the volume of the object consistent; elongate & narrow, flatten & widen.
• Practice: Start with cubes; elongate one direction, compress the opposite.
• Application timing: Stretch mostly when about to hit the ground.

2. Anticipation

• Definition: Preparation for an action to clue in the audience and make the action realistic.
• Examples:
  • Jump: Crouch before leaping.
  • Punch: Arm pulls back before punching.
• Usage in Cartoons: Wind up before running/taking off.
• Facial expressions: Squash before stretch for more power.
• Guiding the Audience: Visible hand before pocketing an object, eye/head direction to lead viewers.
• Multiple levels: Complex actions like winding up twice before a punch.

3. Staging

• Definition: Clear presentation of ideas through various elements - acting, timing, camera angle, setting.
• Control Audience’s Focus: Use elements of the scene to guide viewers.
• Examples of Bad Staging: Competing characters, unclear focal points.
• Camera: far for big actions, close-up for expressions.
• Main Action: Should be clear and not upstaged, proper timing and pauses for clarity.
• Simplify Ideas: Go over the top if needed to convey the idea clearly (e.g., overeater scene).

4. Straight Ahead and Pose to Pose

• Straight Ahead: Drawings are done in sequence, one after the other.
• Pose to Pose: Key poses first, then fill in-betweens.
• Benefits: Pose to Pose provides control, catches problems early.
• Usage: Straight Ahead for unpredictable phenomena (e.g., fire, water).
• Combination: Use Pose to Pose for body, Straight Ahead for appendages.

5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action

• Definition: Body parts drag behind, continue moving when the body stops.
• Examples: Appendages like hair, arms, forearms.
• Techniques: Follow through, overlapping action, and drag.
• Realism: Adds realism by offsetting parts' movements.
• Application: Secondary elements added post-main body animation.
• Offsetting Movement: Makes actions appear more graceful and realistic.

6. Slow In and Slow Out

• Definition: Movement starts slow, speeds up, and slows down.
• Importance: Essential for lifelike motion, avoids mechanical feel.
• Technique: In-between key poses gradually, closer near extremes.
• 3D Animation: Adjust curves from linear to spline.

7. Arcs

• Definition: Natural movement in circular paths.
• Examples:
  • In-betweening along arcs for non-mechanical movement.
  • Head turn enhanced by arc motion.
• Application in Fast Actions: Arcs as smears for quick movements.

8. Secondary Action

• Definition: Gestures supporting the main action t add more dimension.
• Examples: Secondary hand action while knocking.
• Balancing Main and Secondary: Secondary should not dominate but also not be unnoticed.
• Staging: Important for clarity in secondary actions.

9. Timing

• Definition: Number of frames between actions impacting the nature of the animation.
• Examples: Different meanings based on frames between a shoulder leaning action.
• Frame Rate: Standard is 24 FPS; Drawing on ones, twos, threes, etc.
• Application: More frames for slower action, fewer for faster actions.

10. Exaggeration

• Definition: Amplifying actions, poses, expressions for impact.
• Examples: Making emotions clearer (sadder, happier, etc.).
• Balancing Realism and Exaggeration: Enhances realism by making actions more apparent.

11. Solid Drawing

• Definition: Ensuring forms are 3D with volume, weight, and balance.
• Techniques: Drawing from various angles, mindful of 3D shapes and proportions.
• Overlapping Lines: Create depth and avoid flatness.
• Avoid Symmetry: Adds dynamic quality to the drawing.

12. Appeal

• Definition: Characters should be pleasing/interesting to look at.
• Not Just Beauty: Even villains need visual appeal.
• Techniques:
  • Use varied shapes
  • Play with proportions
  • Keep designs simple.

Conclusion

• End of the 12-part series. Future discussions on walk and run cycles anticipated.