12 Principles

Of Animation
(Refrence) https://
www.creativebloq.com
/advice/understand-the-12-principles-
of-animation
 1. Squash and Stretch

This Is an important principle when its applied to your animations it gives your characters and objects the visual illusion
of gravity, mass, weight and flexibility. An example of this would be a frog jumping into the air how body stretches and
squishes when it hits the ground.
(video example below).
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/OrangeFastFoxhound-mobile.mp4
 2. Anticipation

Anticipation is key for preparing the viewer for what is about to happen, and when applied correctly it can give objects
realistic animations. An example of an animation without animation is like throwing a ball without pulling your arm back
it looks unnatural, so if animations don’t have hints of anticipation it will make your motion seem awkward and lifeless.
(video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/AptImportantEgret-mobile.mp4
 3. Staging

Staging in animation is the use of motion to guide and draw the viewer's attention to what is important in the scene.
Keeping the focus on what's important within the scene and keep the motion of non important objects to a minimum. An
example of this would-be multiple arrows pointing towards the main object.
(Video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/ValuableFearfulAmericanshorthair-mobile.mp4
 4. Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose

Straight ahead action involves drawing frame by frame from start to finish. Doing this creates animation with fluid and
realistic movements. Pose to pose you draw the frame to begin with and then a couple key frames in-between and finally
the end frame.
Then you go back and complete the rest, this technique gives you a lot more control over the animation. And can increase
the dramatic effect of the motion. These two approaches are often combined.
(video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/DecisiveThirdBedlingtonterrier-mobile.mp4
 5. Follow Through and overlapping Action

Follow through is when objects come to a standstill after being in motion, different parts of the object will stop at different
rates, so making sure different parts are stopping at different times will make it a lot more realistic. For example if a
character was running and they stopped their hair would continue for a couple of frames.
Overlapping action is the process of different frames moving at different times to create fluid animation. So for example if
a character was running across the scene their arms and legs may be moving at a different rate from their head.
Video example
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/DecisiveThirdBedlingtonterrier-mobile.mp4
6. Slow in and Slow out

Slow in and out is like the way a car slowly speeds up and then slowly comes to a stop when it brakes. In animation this
effect is achieved by adding more frames at the beginning and end of an action sequence. The application of this technique
gives objects life.
(video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/CelebratedConsiderateAmphiuma-mobile.mp4
 7. Arc

Having realistic arc on an animation is important because everything has a natural arc when its moving for example
tossing a ball in the air, the ball will be affected by the earth's gravity giving it arc. So animating it like it does will make it
realistic.
(video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/AltruisticReliableDoctorfish-mobile.mp4
8. Secondary Action

Secondary actions are used to emphasise the action of the scene. These mainly help add more dimension to your
characters. An example of this would be the subtle movement of the characters hair but not big enough to distract the
viewer form the primary action.
(video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/HarmlessAnyDragon-mobile.mp4
9. Timing

This is very important when trying to make characters and objects move naturally and realistically. So the good timing and
speed of the object/character can control the mood and reactions of the objects, if you don’t want to have realistic
movement make sure you timing is at least consistent.
(video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/NeighboringComfortableArrowcrab-mobile.mp4
10. Exaggeration

Sometimes too much realism can ruin an animation, exaggeration adds extra life to your characters and makes the
animation more dynamic. Pushing the limits of your characters and objects if done correctly the animation will pop.
(video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/IncompleteBlandAmericanredsquirrel-mobile.mp4
11. Solid Drawing

This mainly includes in three-dimensional space, understanding anatomy, weight, volume, lights and shadows. while you
can push the limits being consistent is the most important thing because if you keep changing prospective your animation
will fall apart.
(video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/ExcellentAcceptableAngora-mobile.mp4
12. Appeal

Your objects, characters, and overall animation need to appeal to the viewer. This could include solid drawing easy to read
design and a strong sense of character development. There is no correct formula, but it starts by being able to convey your
story through animation.
(video example)
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/TediousOblongJapanesebeetle-mobile.mp4