Animation is a wondrous art form that has captivated audiences for decades. From the earliest days of Animation with hand-drawn illustrations to the latest in a computer-generated imagery, animation has evolved into a powerful storytelling medium. But what makes an animated film truly exceptional? The answer lies in understanding the principles of animation.

The principles of animation are a set of guidelines developed by the legendary animators at Walt Disney Studios in the 1930s. These principles have since become the foundation for all animation techniques and styles.

By mastering these principles, animators can bring characters to life, create captivating stories, and transport audiences to entirely new worlds.

Take, for example, the iconic character of Mickey Mouse. The use of squash and stretch in his animation gives him a sense of elasticity and playfulness, while the timing of his movements and the use of arcs create a sense of fluidity and natural movement. 

Similarly, Pixar’s hit movie “Finding Nemo” utilizes the principles of animation to bring its undersea world to life, from the realistic movements of the fish to the exaggerated expressions of the characters.

In this blog, we will explore the principles of animation in depth, examining each principle and how it can be applied in the creation of captivating animations. 

We will also delve into the various techniques and tools available for animators, from traditional animation methods to the latest in computer animation. 

By the end of this blog, you will have a deeper understanding of the magic behind animation and the tools you need to create your own animated masterpiece.

The 12 Principles of Animation

The principles of animation were developed by a team of legendary animators at Walt Disney Studios in the 1930s, led by the renowned animator, teacher, and filmmaker, Don Graham. 

This team of animators, which included such notable figures as Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas, and Les Clark, sought to establish a set of guidelines that would help create more realistic and engaging animations. 

The principles were first introduced in the book “The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation,” which was written by Johnston and Thomas and published in 1981. 

Today, the principles of animation continue to be the foundation for all animation techniques and styles, and they are studied and applied by animators all over the world.

Let’s take a look at each principle:

Squash and Stretch – This principle involves distorting an object’s shape to convey weight, momentum, and elasticity. It is used to add realism to the movement of characters and objects in animation.

Anticipation – This principle involves preparing the audience for a character’s next move. By creating a brief pause or anticipation before the action, animators can create a more engaging and believable animation.

Staging – Staging in animation involves using visual elements to convey a message or story to the audience. It involves careful placement of characters and objects within the frame, as well as the use of lighting and composition to direct the viewer’s attention.

Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose – These are two different approaches to animating movement. Straight-ahead action involves creating a scene frame by frame, while pose-to-pose animation involves planning out key poses in advance.

Follow-Through and Overlapping Action – This Principle Involves Animating the natural follow-through of an object or character after a movement. Overlapping action involves animating different parts of an object or character independently to create a more natural movement.

Slow In and Slow Out – This principle involves animating movement with a gradual increase and decrease in speed. It is used to create a more natural, fluid movement.

Arcs – This principle involves animating movement along a curved path. It is used to create a more natural and realistic movement.

Secondary Action – This principle involves animating smaller movements or actions that add to the main action. It is used to create a more dynamic and engaging animation.

Timing – This principle involves animating movement with precise timing. It is used to create a more natural and realistic movement.

Exaggeration – This principle involves exaggerating movements or actions to create a more entertaining and engaging animation.

Solid Drawing – The solid drawing animation principle involves creating characters and objects with a sense of weight and three-dimensional space. It is used to create more realistic and believable animation.

Appeal – This principle involves creating characters and objects that are visually appealing to the audience. It is used to create a more engaging and memorable animation.

Application of the 12 Disney Principles of Animation

Now that we’ve covered the principles of animation, it’s time to explore how to apply them to create captivating animations.

The first step in applying these principles is to carefully plan out your animation, taking into account the story you want to tell and the characters and objects that will bring that story to life. By considering how each principle can be used to enhance your animation, you can create a more engaging and effective animation.

For example, Pixar’s hit movie “Up” utilizes the principles of animation in a way that brings the characters and story to life.

The use of squash and stretch in the movement of the character Russell creates a sense of playfulness and energy, while the timing and staging of the action create a sense of anticipation and excitement. 

Similarly, the use of arcs in the movement of the characters and objects creates a more natural and fluid movement that draws the audience into the story.

When it comes to business animations, the principles of animation can be used to create engaging and effective marketing materials. For example, a company might use the principle of an exaggeration to create a cartoon-style animation that highlights the unique features and benefits of their product or service. 

Similarly, the use of timing and staging can help create a more compelling and memorable message that resonates with potential customers.

One example of a business animation that effectively uses the principles of animation is the explainer video for Dropbox. 

This animation uses the principle of squash and stretch to convey the flexibility and ease of use of the Dropbox service. It also uses the principle of timing to create a sense of anticipation and excitement as the characters interact with the Dropbox interface.

Another example is of an animated explainer video for the cybersecurity company, CyberGRX, which effectively utilized the principles of animation to convey the company’s message in a clear and engaging way.

The animation incorporated the principles of timing and exaggeration to create a sense of urgency and emphasize the importance of cybersecurity. The use of secondary action and follow-through and overlapping action helped bring the characters to life and add depth to the animation. 

The animation also effectively used the principle of appeal to create characters that were relatable and likable, making the audience more invested in the story.

To Recapitulate 

When it comes to animation, there is no limit to what we can achieve. The principles of animation are the key to unlocking the full potential of our creativity and imagination. 

By understanding and applying these principles, we can take our animations to new heights and bring our stories and characters to life in ways that captivate and inspire our audience.

Think of the iconic Disney and Pixar movies that have shaped our childhoods – from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Toy Story and beyond. 

These films were not just entertaining, but they also used the principles of animation to convey important themes and messages that resonated with audiences of all ages. By following in the footsteps of these legendary animators, we too can create animations that leave a lasting impression on our viewers.

So, whether you’re creating animations for personal or professional purposes, we urge you to take the time to learn and apply the principles of animation in your work. 

By doing so, you can create animations that not only look great but also have depth, meaning, and emotional impact. So go forth, unleash your creativity, and create animations that truly make a difference!

Author Bio: Jane Collen

Jane Collen is an animation expert with over 6 years of experience in the industry. As a Senior Content Writer at BuzzFlick, a leading animation studio and video production company, Jane has been instrumental in creating engaging and compelling animated videos for clients across various industries.