Animation is the process of creating an illusion of movement using a series of static images. Whether it’s a feature film or a short clip, animation has become a popular medium for storytelling, advertising, and entertainment. The 12 Principles of Animation are a set of guidelines developed by Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas in their 1981 book “The Illusion of Life.” These principles have been used as a foundation for creating believable and captivating animations that keep viewers engaged. In this article, we’ll discuss each of the 12 Principles of Animation and provide examples of how they’ve been used in popular animated films.
Squash and Stretch
The Squash and Stretch principle is all about exaggerating the movements of objects to make them more lively and dynamic. This principle gives objects the illusion of weight and flexibility. For example, when a ball is thrown, it squashes and stretches as it travels through the air. This principle is used extensively in animation to create dynamic, appealing movements.
Example: The ball in Pixar’s short film “Luxo Jr.” demonstrates this principle perfectly. As the ball bounces around, it squashes and stretches to give the impression of weight and momentum.
Anticipation
Anticipation is the principle of setting up the audience for what is about to happen next. By using subtle movements or actions, the animator can create a sense of anticipation in the viewer. For example, before a character jumps, they will bend their knees and move their arms back to prepare for the leap.
Example: In Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the Evil Queen’s transformation into the Witch is preceded by an anticipation sequence. The Evil Queen’s eyes widen, and she slowly raises her hand to take a bite of the poisoned apple.
Staging
Staging is the principle of presenting an idea or action in a way that is clear and easy to understand for the audience. This principle involves the placement of characters and objects in a scene to make it easier to follow the action.
Example: In Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” the final battle between Mr. Incredible and Syndrome takes place on a clear, open island. This staging makes it easy for the audience to follow the action and understand what is happening.
Straight Ahead Action and Pose-to-Pose
Straight Ahead Action involves creating a sequence frame by frame, in a linear fashion. Pose-to-Pose involves creating keyframes and then filling in the in-between frames. Straight Ahead Action is more spontaneous, while Pose-to-Pose is more methodical and planned.
Example: The dance sequence in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” was created using the Pose-to-Pose principle. The animators first created keyframes for each of the dance steps and then filled in the in-between frames to create a fluid dance sequence.
Follow Through and Overlapping Action
Follow Through is the principle of allowing an object or character to continue moving after the primary motion has stopped. Overlapping Action involves creating secondary motions that follow the primary motion.
Example: In Pixar’s “Finding Nemo,” the motion of the water creates Follow Through and Overlapping Action. The water continues to ripple after the characters have swum through it, creating a more realistic and immersive environment.
Slow In and Slow Out
Slow In and Slow Out is the principle of easing into and out of a motion to create a more natural movement. This principle involves creating more frames at the beginning and end of a motion, with fewer frames in the middle.
Example: In Disney’s “The Lion King,” Simba’s movements are animated using Slow In and Slow Out. His movements are more fluid and natural, and the audience can feel the weight and momentum of his actions.
Arcs
Arcs are the smooth, curved lines that objects follow in their movements. This principle is based on the idea that straight lines and angles create unnatural movements, while arcs create a more natural and pleasing motion.
Example: The movements of the characters in Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away” follow arcs, creating a sense of grace and fluidity in their actions.
Secondary Action
Secondary Action involves creating additional motions to support and enhance the primary motion. These additional motions can help convey emotion or add complexity to the scene.
Example: In Disney’s “Frozen,” Elsa’s hair is animated as a secondary motion to add depth and movement to her character.
Timing
Timing is the principle of controlling the speed and pace of an action. This principle involves using the correct amount of frames to create the desired speed and impact of a motion.
Example: In Pixar’s “Up,” the timing of the balloon launch sequence is carefully controlled to create a sense of anticipation and wonder.
Exaggeration
Exaggeration involves emphasizing certain aspects of an action or character to create a more dynamic and engaging animation. This principle can be used to make a character more comedic or to add intensity to an action sequence.
Example: In DreamWorks’ “Kung Fu Panda,” the character Po’s movements are exaggerated to create a more comedic effect, making him more relatable to the audience.
Solid Drawing
Solid Drawing involves creating characters and objects with a sense of weight and depth. This principle requires the animator to have a strong understanding of perspective, form, and anatomy.
Example: In Studio Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke,” the characters are animated with a strong sense of weight and form, creating a more realistic and immersive world.
Appeal
Appeal is the principle of making characters and objects visually appealing to the audience. This principle involves using design and animation techniques to make the characters and scenes more attractive and memorable.
Example: The character designs in Disney’s “Moana” are visually appealing, with vibrant colors and dynamic shapes that capture the spirit of the film’s Polynesian setting.
In conclusion, the 12 Principles of Animation provide a strong foundation for creating engaging and dynamic animations. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional, understanding these principles can help you create more lifelike and memorable animations. By applying these principles in your work, you can create animations that captivate and delight audiences of all ages.