What Are the 12 Principles of Animation?

The principles of animation were introduced in The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation, a book by Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. These 12 principles form the backbone of animation across various styles and formats, including traditional, 2D, 3D, and motion graphics animation. Below, we will dive into each of these principles, explaining their importance and how they contribute to effective animation.

1. Squash and Stretch

Squash and stretch is arguably the most important of the principles of animation, as it gives characters and objects a sense of weight and flexibility. This principle emphasizes the exaggerated movement of a figure to show mass and momentum. For example, when a ball hits the ground, it should squash (flatten) on impact and then stretch (elongate) as it bounces back into the air. This gives a more dynamic and lively look to the animation.

• Why it matters: Without squash and stretch, animations may look stiff or lifeless. It adds fluidity to characters and objects, making them feel more natural.

2. Anticipation

Anticipation involves setting up the viewer’s expectation for an action. For instance, before a character jumps, they might crouch down slightly to prepare for the movement. This preparatory movement makes the jump feel more realistic and engaging. It’s a way to communicate to the audience that something is about to happen.

• Why it matters: Anticipation helps guide the viewer’s attention and makes actions more believable. Without it, animations would feel abrupt and lack flow.

3. Staging

Staging refers to the presentation of an idea in such a way that it is clear to the audience. It ensures that the focus is on the most important element of the scene, whether it’s a character’s expression, a critical action, or an event. Staging is similar to composition in photography or cinematography, where lighting, angle, and position direct the viewer’s eye to the focal point.

• Why it matters: Staging ensures that the viewer understands what’s happening in the scene, avoiding confusion or visual clutter.

4. Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose

There are two approaches to animating a scene: straight ahead action and pose to pose. Straight ahead action involves drawing frame by frame from start to finish, giving a more spontaneous and fluid feel to the animation. Pose to pose involves creating key poses at specific intervals and then filling in the frames between, which allows for better control of timing and precision.

• Why it matters: Both methods have their place in animation. Straight ahead is great for action scenes, while pose to pose is ideal for more controlled sequences.

5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action

Follow through refers to the idea that certain parts of a character continue moving even after the main body has stopped. For example, when a character stops running, their hair or clothing might continue to move due to inertia. Overlapping action occurs when different parts of a character move at different rates. These principles add realism by showing that characters and objects don’t stop all at once.

• Why it matters: These principles enhance the realism of motion, making animations appear less mechanical and more natural.

6. Slow In and Slow Out

Slow in and slow out refers to how objects and characters should accelerate and decelerate naturally. Movements typically don’t start and stop abruptly; instead, they ease into action and slow down toward the end. For example, when a car starts moving, it gradually gains speed, and when it stops, it slows down gradually rather than coming to an immediate halt.

• Why it matters: Slow in and slow out adds weight and realism to animations, making movements feel more organic.

7. Arcs

In the natural world, most movements follow a curved trajectory or arc, rather than a straight line. Arcs make animation appear more fluid and lifelike. Whether it's the swing of a character’s arm or the path of a bouncing ball, arcs help create smooth and appealing motion.

• Why it matters: Arcs help mimic the natural motion found in real life, making animations more fluid and less rigid.

8. Secondary Action

Secondary action refers to smaller movements that support the main action in a scene. For example, when a character is walking, their arms might swing or their hair might bounce slightly. These secondary actions help reinforce the primary movement and add depth to the animation.

• Why it matters: Secondary actions add complexity and richness to animations, giving characters more personality and making the scene more interesting.

9. Timing

Timing is critical in animation as it determines how long an action takes to occur. The number of frames used in a movement affects its speed, with more frames making the action slower and fewer frames making it faster. Good timing is essential to convey emotion, mood, and physicality in animation.

• Why it matters: Proper timing ensures that movements feel natural and appropriate, and it can also convey emotion and intent.

10. Exaggeration

Exaggeration is a key principle that helps animators push beyond realism to create more dynamic and entertaining animations. By exaggerating certain aspects, such as a character’s emotions or movements, animators can make scenes more visually striking and memorable.

• Why it matters: Exaggeration helps make animations more expressive and engaging, adding a sense of drama or humor to the scene.

11. Solid Drawing

Solid drawing refers to the technique of creating characters and objects that have a sense of volume and three-dimensionality, even in 2D animation. Good solid drawing skills help ensure that characters look consistent and believable as they move through different angles and poses.

• Why it matters: Solid drawing prevents characters from appearing flat or inconsistent, ensuring that they remain appealing and accurate throughout the animation.

12. Appeal

Appeal refers to the quality that makes a character interesting and likable to the audience. It’s not about making characters conventionally attractive, but about ensuring that they have personality, charm, and a clear design. Whether it’s a hero or a villain, appeal is essential for engaging the viewer.

• Why it matters: Characters with appeal are more likely to resonate with audiences and make the story more compelling.

Applying the Principles of Animation

Now that we’ve explored each of the 12 principles of animation, it's important to understand how they apply in practice. Whether you're working on traditional 2D animation, 3D animation, or any other form, these principles provide a foundation that ensures smooth, believable movement and engaging characters. Mastering these principles allows animators to break free from rigid, unnatural motions, giving their work more life, emotion, and appeal.

For example, in modern 3D animation, software like Blender, Maya, and Cinema 4D allows animators to apply these principles of animation easily, using tools that help simulate squash and stretch, slow in and slow out, and more. Animators can also adjust timing and secondary actions with more precision thanks to the technological advancements in animation software.

Conclusion: The Importance of the Principles of Animation

The principles of animation serve as a guideline for creating animations that are not only visually appealing but also emotionally resonant. Whether you're working in 2D, 3D, or stop motion, these principles remain the cornerstone of effective animation. By mastering these principles, animators can elevate their work, making it more engaging, dynamic, and lifelike.