12 Principles of Animation

 "12 Principles of Animation." These principles were developed by Disney animators in the early days of traditional animation and continue to be widely used as guidelines for creating appealing and realistic animations. These principles are:

1. Squash and Stretch: 

This principle adds a sense of weight and flexibility to objects as they move, emphasizing their volume and giving them a more dynamic appearance.

2. Anticipation: 

Anticipation prepares the viewer for an action by adding a small movement or gesture before the main action takes place. It helps to make the motion more believable and understandable.

3. Staging: 

Staging refers to the presentation of an idea or action in a clear and visually appealing way. It involves arranging elements, using camera angles, and emphasizing important aspects to direct the viewer's attention.

4. Straight Ahead Action and Pose-to-Pose: 

Straight Ahead Action involves animating frame by frame from the starting pose to the end pose, creating a more spontaneous and fluid animation. Pose-to-Pose involves planning key poses first and then filling in the frames in between.

5. Follow-through and Overlapping Action:

 These principles deal with the way different parts of a character or object continue to move even after the main action has stopped. Follow-through refers to the parts that lag behind, while overlapping action involves elements moving at different rates or in different directions.

6. Slow In and Slow Out: 

Slow In and Slow Out refers to how objects gradually accelerate or decelerate at the beginning and end of an action. This principle adds a more natural and realistic feel to the motion.

7. Arcs: 

Most natural movements follow curved paths rather than straight lines. Animating elements along arcs helps create smooth and organic motion.

8. Secondary Action: 

Secondary actions are additional movements that support and enhance the primary action. They add depth, realism, and personality to the animation.

9. Timing: 

Timing determines the speed and rhythm of an action, conveying its weight, energy, and impact. It involves understanding the appropriate timing for different actions to make them more convincing.

10. Exaggeration:

 Exaggeration is used to emphasize and heighten certain actions or movements, making them more appealing and expressive. It helps convey the essence of an action or emotion.

11. Solid Drawing: 

Solid drawing involves creating characters and objects with a three-dimensional sense of form, weight, and volume. It requires a good understanding of anatomy and structure.

12. Appeal: 

Appeal refers to the overall attractiveness and charm of a character or animation. It involves designing characters, movements, and actions that captivate and engage the audience.

These principles are not limited to traditional animation and can be applied to various forms of animation, including UI/UX animation. Understanding and applying these principles can help you create more engaging and visually appealing animations.