How to Master the 12 Principles of Animation Like a Professional

The “12 Principles of Animation” originated from the expertise and insights of two Disney animators in the 1930s, laying the groundwork for effective character animation. While these principles were initially designed for 2D, hand-drawn animation, they remain essential for today’s digital and 3D animation techniques.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into each of the 12 principles of animation. We’ll break down their meanings, showcase examples from iconic animated films, and explore why these principles are crucial for achieving exceptional animation.

You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how these time-tested techniques enhance character performance and storytelling. Whether you’re an aspiring or a seasoned professional animator, mastering these principles will significantly improve your creativity and bring your creative visions to life. Join us in uncovering the secrets behind captivating animation and taking your skills to new heights.

What Are the 12 Principles of Animation?

For artists, animators, and animation studios, mastering the 12 principles of animation is essential for creating outstanding types of animation. These foundational techniques underpin all forms of animation, whether it’s 2D hand-drawn or 3D digital.

The 12 principles encompass squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, straight-ahead action and pose-to-pose, follow-through, and overlapping action, slow in and slow out, arcs, secondary action, timing, exaggeration, solid drawing, and appeal.

In the following sections, we’ll explore each of these principles in detail, providing insights into their application and significance in creating compelling animation. Understanding and applying these principles will help you create more dynamic and believable animations, enhancing both character movement and storytelling. Whether you’re new to animation or looking to refine your skills, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to create your own and captivate your audience.

A Brief History First

To create more realistic animation, two distinguished Disney animators, Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas, introduced 12 core principles in 1981. These principles have since been adopted by nearly every professional animator and are often referred to as the “Bible of Animation.”

While originally intended for traditional hand-drawn techniques, these concepts remain highly relevant in modern digital animation and can be observed in both character animation and user experience design. “The Illusion of Life,” a seminal book on Disney animation, is celebrated as one of the “greatest animation books of all time,” detailing these fundamental principles.

These principles encompass everything from squash and stretch to timing and exaggeration, all aimed at bringing characters to life. By mastering these foundational techniques, animators can create more engaging and believable narratives. Whether you’re a budding animator or a seasoned professional, understanding these principles is essential for enhancing your creation. the wisdom found in “The Illusion of Life” can bring your animation projects to new heights.

The 12 Principles of Animation (With Examples)

1. Squash and stretch
2. Anticipation
3. Staging
4. Straight-ahead action and pose-to-pose
5. Follow-through and overlapping action
6. Slow in and slow out
7. Arc
8. Secondary action
9. Timing
10. Exaggeration
11. Solid drawing
12. Appeal

Together, these 12 principles help animators create rich, expressive, and believable animations, whether in 2D, 3D, or other forms of visual storytelling. They are essential for mastering the art of animation.

1. Squash and Stretch:

Squash and stretch are fundamental principles of animation that involve distorting or deforming an object or character to create the illusion of weight and flexibility. This technique is used to make movements appear more dynamic and expressive by stretching and squashing the character’s body.

For instance, when a ball bounces, it squashes upon hitting the ground and stretches as it rebounds. Similarly, in character animation, as a character runs, their body compresses with each step and elongates between steps. This not only adds a sense of realism but also emphasizes the character’s mass and elasticity.

Stretching and squashing parts of a character enhance the feeling of volume and weight, making the animation more engaging and lively. Disney animators, in particular, used this technique extensively to notice how characters’ bodies distort with force during jumps or falls. This exaggerated stretching and squashing often serve to enhance the comedic effect.

Example: In “Monsters Inc.,” when Sulley throws snowballs at Mike, their bodies visibly squash and stretch with the impact. Another example is Rapunzel’s hair in “Tangled,” which shows dramatic stretching and squashing as it gets tangled.

2. Anticipation:

Anticipation is an animation principle that sets the stage for an upcoming action or movement by introducing subtle, preparatory motions. This technique helps build expectations and makes the main action feel more impactful and realistic.

For instance, a golfer might wiggle their club before taking a swing, or a pitcher might pull the ball back in a winding motion before throwing it. These preliminary movements signal to the audience that an important action is about to occur, enhancing the overall believability of the scene.

Anticipation contributes to the sense of weight and physicality, preventing actions from appearing too sudden or disjointed. Disney animators frequently employed anticipation frames to lead up to key actions, such as when a character is about to jump or throw an object. The motion leading up to the action adds a natural and weighted quality to the movement.

Example: In “The Incredibles,” Mr. Incredible’s wind-up before delivering a powerful punch demonstrates anticipation. Similarly, Buzz Lightyear’s preparation for takeoff showcases this principle as he readies himself for flight.

3. Staging:

Staging involves the careful composition and framing of a scene to direct the audience’s focus to the most crucial elements of the action. Animators use strategic camera angles, lighting, and character positioning to emphasize key ideas and points of interest within the scene.

For instance, if two characters are in a heated argument, the animator might use close-up shots to highlight their emotional expressions. Conversely, if a character is stealthily sneaking around, the scene could be staged with dramatic lighting and shadows to enhance the mood and atmosphere. Staging plays a vital role in guiding the audience’s attention and enriching the storytelling experience.

As it’s often said, “Staging directs the audience’s attention to the most important parts of a scene. Effective staging can convey a wealth of information swiftly and clearly.”

Example: In “The Lion King,” the opening jungle scene is staged from baby Simba’s low perspective to emphasize the vastness and grandeur of the environment.

4. Straight Ahead and Pose to Pose:

In character animation, there are two primary approaches: straight-ahead animation and pose-to-pose animation.

Straight-ahead animation: involves drawing each frame sequentially from start to finish. Animators using this method work without predefined plans, creating each frame as they progress. This approach fosters a fluid, spontaneous feel and allows for creative experimentation, but it can lead to inconsistencies in volume and proportions.

Pose-to-pose animation: starts with planning out specific keyframes and poses, and then filling in the intermediate frames. This method provides better control over volumes and proportions, ensuring more consistency. However, if the in-between frames are not carefully created, the movement can appear mechanical.

Many animators blend these two techniques. Key emotional poses are planned first to maintain consistency, while the in-betweens are often created using a straight-ahead approach to achieve smooth, natural movement. The choice of technique depends on the specific action and mood of the scene.

Example: Pose-to-pose animation is effectively used in intense fight scenes, such as Elsa’s battle with the soldiers in “Frozen.” Conversely, straight-ahead animation is often employed for fluid, dynamic movements like flowing hair or natural running sequences.

5. Follow-through and Overlapping Action:

Using follow-through and overlapping action enhances the naturalness and realism of animation.

Follow-through: involves the continuation of motion even after a character has stopped applying force. For example, if a character swings their arm, the arm, hair, and clothing will continue to move briefly after the swing is finished. This technique prevents the motion from appearing abrupt, as real-life movements rarely stop instantly. It adds a sense of weight and momentum, making animations feel more authentic.

Overlapping action: refers to different parts of a character moving at varying rates. When a character initiates movement, their extremities, such as hair and clothing, will respond first, followed by the torso and limbs. This approach creates a smooth, natural transition between poses, avoiding the mechanical feel of synchronized, uniform movement. It ensures that each body part moves in harmony with the overall motion.

Example: In “Frozen,” when Elsa performs arm-sweeping gestures to cast her magic, her long braid and dress exhibit follow-through, continuing to sway as her arms come to a stop. The overlapping action ensures a fluid transition between her poses, enhancing the overall realism and fluidity of her movements.

6.  Slow In and Slow Out:

The principle of slow in and out involves using more frames at the beginning and end of an action to enhance its smoothness and emphasize the extreme poses. By placing more drawings at the start and finish of a movement, the animation highlights these key moments and creates a more fluid transition. For instance, when a character jumps, additional frames are used at the highest and lowest points of the jump to accentuate these extreme poses, while fewer frames are used in the middle. This approach helps to create a more natural flow and makes the animation feel more lifelike.

Slow in and out adds depth and character to the movement by allowing the audience to linger on the most exaggerated and impactful parts of the action. It draws attention to the anticipation and follow-through, enhancing the overall visual appeal. This technique is essential for making animations appear more engaging and convincing, whether depicting dynamic actions like a ball bouncing or subtle movements like a bird taking flight.

Example: In “Aladdin,” when the Genie emerges from the lamp, his face stretches dramatically. The slow in-and-out technique accentuates this squash and stretch, making the movement more dynamic and visually captivating.

7. Arcs:

Arched trajectories are crucial in animation, especially for actions like jumping and throwing. Instead of moving in straight lines, characters follow sweeping curved paths with their arms and bodies. This technique ensures that movements, such as a character swinging their arm, follow graceful arcs rather than rigid up-and-down motions, contributing to a more fluid and natural animation. By incorporating arched trajectories, animators add a layer of realism and fluidity that makes movements feel more lifelike.

Arcs enhance the grace and fluidity of movement, reflecting the natural curves we make with our bodies, such as the arc formed when tossing a ball. Curved trajectories create a sense of rhythm and smoothness, whereas straight lines can appear mechanical and stiff. Emphasizing arcs helps characters move with more dynamism and authenticity, allowing their actions to resonate more deeply with the audience.

Example: The use of arcs is evident in scenes where characters throw objects or wield tools and weapons. This technique is prominently displayed in action sequences and Mr. Incredible’s sweeping arm motions, adding a dynamic and engaging quality to the animation.

8. Secondary Action:

Secondary actions are subtle movements that enhance or support the primary action of a scene. For instance, a character who is animatedly recounting a story might swing their arms as they speak, or a character jumping from a ledge might adjust their clothing upon landing. These secondary motions add depth to the scene by reinforcing the main action without drawing attention away from it. They also contribute to a more immersive and believable animation, as they reflect the natural, often unconscious movements that occur in real life.

Incorporating secondary actions adds extra dimension and nuance to animation. These supporting movements infuse vibrancy and visual interest into the scene, and they offer a chance to reveal a character’s personality through small, habitual gestures. By layering in these complementary motions, animators can create a richer, more engaging storytelling experience.

Example: In “Sleeping Beauty,” Flora’s dress and apron flutter as she flies, adding an extra layer of realism. Similarly, in “Up,” Dug’s ears flap as he runs, providing additional visual charm and character detail. These secondary actions help bring the characters and their actions to life, making the animation more dynamic and engaging.

9. Timing:

Timing refers to the number of frames allocated to each action, shaping the pace and rhythm of the animation. It affects how movements are perceived the more frames used, the slower and more exaggerated the action appears. For example, a ball that drops quickly uses fewer frames compared to one that bounces slowly to a stop. Proper timing not only defines the speed but also impacts the overall feel of the action, creating a sense of realism or stylization.

Accurate timing is crucial for giving animation its weight, speed, and distinct personality. Quick, snappy timing can convey high energy and urgency, while long, sustained timing creates broader, slower movements. Timing can also be adjusted for comedic effects, such as a character coming to a sudden stop after a fast run. By varying the number of frames, animators can highlight different aspects of an action to achieve the desired mood and style.

Example: The fast, snappy timing of Sulley struggling to put on socks in “Monsters Inc.” exemplifies energetic movement, while the rickety wagon in “Frozen” demonstrates how timing adds to the sense of uneven motion and character. Adjusting timing effectively enhances the overall animation, making it more engaging and expressive.

10. Exaggeration:

Exaggeration in animation involves amplifying movements and actions beyond their typical proportions. For instance, a simple fist bump might transform into a full-body motion, or a character’s eyes might pop out in shock. While exaggerating squash and stretch is one example, this principle extends to all aspects of movement, including arcs and timing. Properly applied, exaggeration can make scenes more memorable and engaging by highlighting key moments and enhancing the overall visual appeal.

Exaggeration breathes life into animation by making characters more dynamic, engaging, and expressive. It adds emphasis and drama to significant actions, enhancing the overall impact of the scene. However, classical animators caution against excessive exaggeration actions should remain plausible within the character’s world and constraints to maintain believability. Balancing exaggeration with realism ensures that animations remain both captivating and coherent.

Example: Characters frequently display exaggerated facial expressions, such as Genie’s wide eyes. Additionally, movements are notably exaggerated in “Tangled,” adding a vibrant and lively quality to the animation. These techniques make the characters’ actions more impactful and visually striking.

11. Solid Drawing:

Solid drawing refers to creating figures and objects with a sense of volume, weight, and realistic form. Characters are more believable when they are drawn with anatomically correct proportions and dimensions, giving them substance and mass. This principle is particularly important in key poses, where characters’ shapes and forms should be clearly defined using the shape language technique. Proper solid drawing enhances the visual coherence and impact of animation, making characters feel more grounded and authentic.

Solid drawing helps avoid characters appearing too stiff, flat, or rubbery by incorporating the principles of squash and stretch and exaggeration while preserving a sense of volume and weight. This approach is essential for animating characters that feel genuine and relatable to audiences. Many iconic Disney characters showcase this sense of solidity and dimension, contributing to their enduring appeal.

Example: Characters like Sulley, Mike, and Marlin demonstrate well-defined dimensions, weight, and convincing form, making them feel robust and tangible. Their solid drawing contributes to their realism and helps viewers connect more deeply with their stories and personalities.

12. Appeal:

Appeal in animation refers to designing characters and motions that are engaging, entertaining, and visually attractive. Animators strive to infuse characters with charm and whimsy through both their design and movement. Disney emphasized the importance of appeal, ensuring that animation remains captivating and delightful. Characters should be memorable and resonate with audiences, making them feel a connection and bringing joy to their viewing experience.

This principle involves using other animation principles to enhance a character’s joy and personality. The appeal is achieved through expressive poses, fluid movements, well-defined silhouettes, and engaging character designs. It also includes adding distinctive features such as expressive facial expressions, unique movements, and small, memorable quirks. By focusing on these elements, animators create characters that resonate with viewers and leave a lasting impression.

Example: Wall-E’s adorable binocular eyes and childlike movements create a strong sense of endearment. His subtle gestures and expressive features contribute to his unique appeal, making him both relatable and unforgettable. His design and movement work together to captivate and charm audiences, exemplifying the essence of appeal in animation.

Why Are the 12 Principles of Animation Important?

Since the 12 principles of animation were first introduced, they have served as essential guidelines for character animators. But why are these principles so crucial? Here are several key reasons:

• They create lifelike motion and weight. Principles such as squash and stretch, slow in and out, and overlapping action enable animators to imbue objects with physicality, mass, and realistic motion, making characters and objects appear to inhabit a tangible, three-dimensional space. These techniques ensure that animations convey a sense of weight and presence, making them more believable and immersive.
• They bring appeal and entertainment. Principles like exaggeration, comic timing, strong posing, and solid drawing infuse animation with vibrancy and visual charm. This focus on engaging and captivating animation has been central to the success of Disney and Pixar, ensuring that animations are not only visually appealing but also emotionally resonant and entertaining.
• They establish strong foundations. These principles form the core of high-quality animation. Mastering them provides a solid groundwork for creating exceptional animation and allows for creativity and whimsy to flourish. By understanding and applying these fundamentals, animators can push the boundaries of their creations and explore innovative techniques.
• They enable “acting” through motion. Applying these principles allows animators to convey emotions, personalities, and moods through character movement. A strong grasp of these fundamentals supports nuanced acting choices, enhancing the ability to express complex emotional states and character traits through animation.
• They work together. The principles are interdependent and combine to produce lifelike motion. For instance, squash and stretch, slow in and out, arcs, and appeal all work in harmony to animate a jump. Each principle complements the others, creating a cohesive and dynamic animation that captures the audience’s attention and enhances storytelling.

What is the Most Important Principle of Animation?

While all 12 principles work together to create outstanding animation

Appeal: is arguably the most crucial. Appeal goes beyond the technical aspects of animation, relying on the mastery of the other principles but surpassing them in significance. For example, a bouncing ball can be animated perfectly according to technical principles yet still lack charm. Disney animators strived to elevate appeal beyond technical proficiency to infuse their characters with an intangible sense of charm and personality, making them memorable and engaging.

Solid drawing: and exaggeration are also essential principles. Characters need to be convincingly drawn with volume and shape to effectively employ techniques like stretching and squishing. These principles build on one another, but appeal guides the application of all the others, ensuring that entertainment value and captivation remain central to the animation. By focusing on appeal, animators can enhance the emotional impact and overall effectiveness of their work, creating animations that resonate deeply with audiences.

Do the 12 Principles Apply to 3D Animation?

Do the Core Principles of Animation Apply to 3D Animation?

Absolutely. Despite the advancements in technology, the core principles of animation remain essential for creating believable and engaging characters in both 2D and 3D animation. While the tools and methods have evolved, fundamental techniques such as squash and stretch, exaggeration, solid posing, strong timing, and overlapping action are still vital for achieving the illusion of life.

In the 3D animation pipeline, principles like appeal and exaggeration continue to play crucial roles. Timing is adjusted through frame manipulation, and concepts such as staging, arcs, and solid drawing are still relevant, though they may be approached differently with 3D software. For instance, while squash and stretch are achieved through rigging controls in 3D, the underlying principles guide animators as they adapt to new tools and techniques.

When Pixar’s Toy Story revolutionized animation in the 1990s with 3D technology, it raised questions about whether the traditional 2D animation pipeline would still be applicable. The advent of 3D opened up new possibilities in lighting, texturing, rigging, modeling, and camera angles. Yet, it is the enduring principles that bridge the gap between the 2D and 3D animation pipelines, ensuring that animation remains as expressive and compelling as ever. These timeless techniques provide a foundation that animators build upon, regardless of the medium.

Whether working within the 2D animation pipeline or the 3D animation pipeline, the application of these principles helps maintain a high level of artistry and emotional impact. The evolution of technology enhances the tools available but does not replace the essential creative guidelines that have stood the test of time. Embracing these principles in both pipelines ensures that the animation continues to captivate audiences with its charm and storytelling power.

How Do I Learn the Principles of Animation?

For aspiring animators, mastering the 12 principles of animation is crucial for developing their creations. Here are some effective strategies for deepening your understanding and application of these principles:

• Read Foundational Texts: Dive into classic Disney books like “The Illusion of Life” to gain insights from animation pioneers. Walt Stanchfield’s “Drawn to Life” series also offers valuable perspectives on the art of animation. These texts provide timeless wisdom that can enhance your understanding of animation techniques.
• Analyze Classic Scenes: Study scenes from iconic Disney films to observe how each principle is applied. By analyzing these examples, you’ll gain a better grasp of how to incorporate the principles into your work. Pay attention to details like character movement and timing to see how the principles enhance storytelling.
• Practice Through Exercises: Apply the principles in various animation exercises, such as bouncing balls or walking cycles. Consciously integrating these principles into your practice will help solidify your understanding. Experiment with different scenarios to see how the principles can be adapted and improved.
• Enroll in Online Courses: Look for comprehensive online animation courses that methodically teach the principles. Engage with the assignments and projects to apply what you’ve learned in a structured manner. Courses often provide feedback and insights that can accelerate your learning process.
• Study Real-World Movement: Observe live-action performances, animal movements, and everyday actions to understand realistic motion. This will help you create more lifelike and convincing animations. Understanding real-world motion can also inspire more dynamic and believable animations.
• Experiment and Refine: Continuously test and refine your animation ideas with the principles in mind. Repetition and experimentation will help you develop a natural intuition for applying these techniques effectively. Don’t be afraid to push boundaries and explore new ways to use the principles.

By immersing yourself in these practices, you’ll enhance your skills and bring your animations to life with greater precision and creativity. Mastery of these principles will not only improve your technical skills but also enrich your storytelling abilities, setting you apart as an animator.

Final Thoughts

The 12 principles of animation work in harmony to create engaging and dynamic animations. Squash and stretch contribute to a character’s appeal, appeal enhances follow-through, and strong poses support exaggeration. Whether you’re animating by hand or using digital tools, from bouncing balls to beloved characters, these foundational principles remain consistent. For generations, audiences have enjoyed characters that stretch, squish, leap, wander, and stomp with the timeless charm of classic animation.

This blog post explores all 12 principles with illustrative examples. By applying these principles, you’ll be well on your way to creating captivating and high-quality animations. While these principles are crucial, they are just a starting point. Mastering them provides a strong foundation for adding enchantment and depth to your animated projects.

Beyond these principles, continuous experimentation and refinement are key. Animators should stay curious and flexible, exploring how these principles can evolve with new techniques and technologies. With a solid grasp of these foundational rules, you can push creative boundaries and infuse your animations with even more personality and magic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What are the 12 Principles of Animation?

The 12 Principles of Animation are foundational techniques developed by Disney animators in the 1930s. They include:

• Squash and Stretch
• Anticipation
• Staging
• Straight Ahead and Pose to Pose
• Follow-through and Overlapping Action
• Slow In and Slow Out
• Arcs
• Secondary Action
• Timing
• Exaggeration
• Solid Drawing
• Appeal

These principles help create lifelike and engaging animations by providing guidelines for movement, expression, and character design.

Why are the 12 Principles of Animation important?

These principles are crucial because they:

• Create realistic motion and weight.
• Enhance visual appeal and entertainment.
• Establish a strong foundation for quality animation.
• Allow for expressive acting through motion.
• Work together to produce fluid and believable animation.

Mastering these principles helps animators bring characters and scenes to life with charm and credibility.

Do the 12 Principles of Animation apply to 3D animation?

Yes, the 12 Principles of Animation apply to both 2D and 3D animation. While the tools and techniques might differ, the core concepts such as squash and stretch, timing, and appeal are still relevant. In 3D animation, principles like squash and stretch are achieved through rigging controls, while others like timing and arcs are adjusted within the 3D software.

How can I learn and apply the 12 Principles of Animation?

To master the 12 Principles of Animation:

• Study Classic Animation: Read books like “The Illusion of Life” by Disney animators and “Drawn to Life” by Walt Stanchfield.
• Analyze Animated Films: Observe how the principles are used in well-known films and animations.
• Practice Animation Exercises: Apply the principles to simple exercises like bouncing balls or walking cycles.
• Take Online Courses: Enroll in courses that teach animation principles and provide practical assignments.
• Study Real-Life Movement: Observe live-action movement and animals to understand realistic motion.

Can you give an example of how the principle of appeal is used in animation?

Appeal in animation involves creating characters that are engaging and visually pleasing. For example, Wall-E’s large, expressive eyes and childlike movements make him endearing and memorable. His design and animation convey a sense of personality and charm that resonates with viewers.