12 Principles of Animation

Front

This movement prepares the audience for a major action the character is about to perform, such as, starting to run, jump or change expression. Examples are a pitcher's wind-up or a golfers' back swing.

Back

Anticipation

Front

Corresponds to what would be called charisma in an actor. A character who is not necessarily sympathetic – villains or monsters can also fall under this principle – the important thing is that the viewer feels the character is real and interesting.

Back

Appeal

Front

Most actions follow a slightly circular path. This is especially true of the human figure and the action of animals. Give animation a more natural action and better flow. Examples are a pendulum swinging, arm movement, head turns and even eye movements. What is this path called?

Back

Arcs

Front

This principle describes an action that remains true to reality, just presenting it in a wilder, more extreme form.

Back

Exaggeration

Front

The action that follows the main action; actions do not stop at the same time.

Back

Follow Through and Overlap

Front

This action adds to and enriches the main action and adds more dimension to the character animation, supplementing and/or re-enforcing the main action.

Back

Secondary Actions

Front

Principle with more drawings near the beginning and end of an action, emphasizing the extreme poses, and fewer in the middle. Most objects need time to accelerate and slow down, this principle softens the action, making it more life-like.

Back

Slow In and Slow Out

Front

This principle means taking into account forms in three-dimensional space, or giving them volume and weight. The animator needs to be a skilled artist and has to understand the basics of 3D shapes, anatomy, weight, balance, light and shadow, etc.

Back

Solid Drawing

Front

Gives the illusion of weight and volume to a character as it moves. It is used in all forms of character animation from a bouncing ball to the body weight of a person walking.

Back

Squash and Stretch

Front

Its purpose is to direct the audience's attention, and make it clear what is of greatest importance in a scene. This can be done by the placement of a character in the frame, the use of light and shadow, or the angle and position of the camera.

Back

Staging