This article breaks down the 12 principles of animation, providing examples and practical tips for application in both creative and marketing contexts..

Introduction
Animation is more than just creating moving images. It’s about bringing ideas to life, telling stories, and crafting engaging visual experiences. To achieve this, the 12 principles of animation, developed by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston from Disney, serve as the foundation every animator must master. Let’s dive into each principle with practical examples and application tips.
1. Squash and Stretch
This principle is essential for giving objects a sense of weight and flexibility. Picture a rubber ball falling to the ground: upon impact, it "squashes," and as it bounces, it "stretches." This motion adds realism and drama.
Application Tip: Use squash and stretch sparingly to maintain naturalness. It works well for cartoon-like characters or elastic objects, such as balloons.
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2. Anticipation
Anticipation prepares the audience for the action about to happen. For instance, before a character jumps, they crouch. This pause creates expectation and fluidity.
Application Tip: Incorporate smaller gestures leading up to the main movement. They capture the viewer’s attention and make actions clearer.
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3. Staging
This principle involves presenting an idea clearly and attractively. Framing, character placement, and the use of light and shadows contribute to storytelling.
Practical Example: In an animated film, showcasing a character’s fear might involve a close-up shot of their face, removing background distractions.
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4. Straight Ahead and Pose to Pose
These are two distinct animation techniques:
Straight Ahead: The animation is drawn frame by frame, following the flow of the movement.
Pose to Pose: The animator creates key poses first and then fills in the in-between frames.
Application Tip: Use "Straight Ahead" for dynamic, unpredictable movements like explosions. "Pose to Pose" works best for detailed and planned scenes.
5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action
These principles deal with the continuation of movement. When a character stops running, their hair or clothes continue to move due to inertia.
Application Tip: Add these details to avoid abrupt or robotic movements.
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6. Slow In and Slow Out
Gradual acceleration at the start and deceleration at the end of a movement make animations more realistic. Think of how a car starts moving and comes to a stop.
Practical Example: Add more frames at the beginning and end of a movement and fewer in the middle to create a natural sense of variation.
7. Arcs
Most natural movements follow an arc trajectory, like the swing of an arm or the flight of a ball.
Application Tip: Avoid overly linear movements; follow the curved flow of arcs for better fluidity.
8. Timing
The number of frames used in a movement determines its speed and weight. Quick movements suggest lightness, while slower ones indicate weight or drama.
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9. Exaggeration
Exaggeration amplifies emotions and movements, making them clearer and more impactful. For example, a scream might be shown with an unusually large mouth.
Application Tip: Use exaggeration judiciously. For realistic projects, maintain subtlety; for cartoonish works, feel free to go bold.
10. Secondary Action
These are complementary actions that enhance the main action. For example, as a character runs, their hair might bounce, or their hands may gesture.
Application Tip: Ensure the secondary action doesn’t overshadow the main one. It should serve as a detail, not the focus.
11. Appeal
Characters and environments should be visually appealing, whether through simplicity, charisma, or unique design.
Practical Example: A villain might be designed with sharp shapes and dark colors, while a hero features soft shapes and bright hues.
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12. Solid Drawing
This principle ensures characters have depth and weight, avoiding a flat or inconsistent appearance.
Application Tip: Even in digital animations, apply basic perspective and anatomy knowledge to create believable characters.
Why Are the Principles of Animation Important?
The 12 principles of animation are not just for cinematic productions. They’re also vital for marketing projects, such as animated videos and commercials. Incorporating these concepts enhances narrative quality and emotional connection with the audience.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, mastering these principles is the first step to creating memorable animations.
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