The-12-Principles-of-Animation basic principle of animation
- 1. The 12 Principles of Animation Explore the foundational principles that bring characters and stories to life through animation.
- 2. 1. Squash and Stretch This principle gives a sense of weight and flexibility to animated objects. When an object squashes, it compresses, and when it stretches, it elongates. Example: A bouncing ball that deforms upon impact and stretches as it flies through the air, emphasizing its speed and elasticity.
- 3. 2. Anticipation Anticipation prepares the audience for an action, making it more realistic and impactful. It's a small action preceding a major one. Example: A character winding up for a punch, or a runner crouching before a sprint. This builds tension and makes the main action more believable.
- 4. 3. Staging Staging is the presentation of an idea so that it is completely and unmistakably clear. It directs the audience's attention to the most important elements. Example: A character's dramatic pose and expression clearly conveying sadness, with minimal background distractions to keep focus on the emotion.
- 5. 4. Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose Straight Ahead Action: Animating frame by frame from beginning to end, creating fluid, unpredictable motion. Pose to Pose: Drawing key poses first, then filling in the in- between frames, offering more control and planning. Example: A chaotic explosion animated straight ahead, versus a character's precise dance routine animated pose to pose.
- 6. 5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action Follow Through: Parts of a character or object continuing to move after the main action has stopped. Overlapping Action: Different parts of a body or object moving at different rates, creating a more natural flow. Example: A character's hair or clothing continuing to sway after they stop running, or a cape flowing behind a superhero.
- 7. 6. Slow In and Slow Out Objects need more frames at the beginning and end of an action to accelerate and decelerate naturally. Example: A car starting slowly, speeding up, and then gradually slowing down to a stop, rather than stopping abruptly.
- 8. 7. Arcs Most natural movement follows an arched trajectory. This principle adds realism and grace to animation. Example: A character's arm swinging in a smooth arc, or a thrown object following a parabolic path.
- 9. 8. Secondary Action Minor actions that support the main action, adding more dimension and realism to the character's performance. Example: A character talking (main action) while nervously tapping their foot (secondary action).
- 10. 9. Timing The number of frames for an action, conveying weight, emotion, and personality. More frames mean slower action, fewer frames mean faster. Example: A heavy object falling slowly (many frames) vs. a light feather floating quickly (few frames).
- 11. 10. Exaggeration Pushing actions and expressions to extremes for comedic or dramatic effect, making them more impactful. Example: A character's eyes popping out of their head in surprise, or a villain's laugh echoing endlessly.
- 12. 11. Solid Drawing Drawing characters and objects with a sense of three- dimensional form, weight, and balance. Example: A character drawn from multiple angles, maintaining consistent volume and perspective.
- 13. 12. Appeal The charisma of a character, whether it's cute, majestic, or villainous. It makes the character interesting to watch. Example: A hero with a charming smile and expressive eyes, or a villain with a menacing, yet captivating, design.
- 14. The 12 Principles of Animation This are the foundation of creating believable and engaging animated movement. Originally developed by Disney animators, these principles help bring characters and objects to life by adding weight, timing, emotion, and personality. Whether it's squash and stretch, anticipation, or timing, each principle plays a key role in making animation feel real and relatable. Understanding and applying these principles allows animators to go beyond just moving drawings — they tell stories that connect with audiences.
- 15. Why is it important The 12 Principles of Animation are important because they teach animators how to make their work feel realistic, expressive, and emotionally engaging. These principles go beyond just making things move — they help bring life and personality to characters and objects. By using principles like squash and stretch, anticipation, timing, and exaggeration, animators can show emotion, weight, and movement in a way that feels natural and entertaining. They are the core techniques that every animator, beginner or expert, relies on to tell meaningful stories through animation. In short, these principles are the building blocks of great animation — helping artists turn simple drawings into powerful visual experiences.