Mastering Animated Rules The Key to Great Animation

Animation has been a significant part of the entertainment world for decades. It plays a crucial role in bringing stories, characters, and ideas to life, spanning genres from cartoons to feature films, video games, advertisements, and more. But, behind every animated creation lies a complex set of rules and principles that guide its development, ensuring that everything from movement to storytelling feels engaging, believable, and visually stunning.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what is meant by “animated rules,” the fundamental principles of animation, how they shape the process, and why they matter in creating captivating animation.

What Are Animated Rules?

The term “animated rules” refers to the fundamental principles of animation that animators follow when creating any animated content. These principles ensure that movement, timing, and behavior appear natural and engaging while conveying emotions and personality effectively.

The idea of “rules” might sound limiting, but in animation, they provide a framework that helps animators bring life and realism to even the most fantastical or cartoonish of characters. These rules are the foundation of how animation is perceived by an audience. Without them, animations can feel stiff, disconnected, or unrealistic, which is why adhering to these principles is crucial for animators.

The 12 Principles of Animation: A Breakdown

In 1981, Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas published a book titled The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation, in which they introduced the 12 fundamental principles of animation. These principles became a cornerstone for animators around the world, helping to shape the industry and influencing animation styles for decades.

Let’s break down these 12 principles:

1. Squash and Stretch

The principle of squash and stretch is used to give objects and characters a sense of weight and flexibility. It emphasizes the way objects deform when subjected to forces like gravity or movement.

For example, a bouncing ball squashes as it hits the ground and stretches as it bounces back up. The more exaggerated the squash and stretch, the more dynamic and lively the animation appears. This principle can be applied to characters as well, enhancing the fluidity of their movements.

2. Anticipation

Anticipation refers to the movements or actions that prepare the audience for what’s coming next. It’s a way to build up to a major action or event by giving the audience a hint of what’s about to happen.

For instance, if a character is about to leap into the air, they might first crouch down and gather energy before launching upwards. This buildup enhances the impact of the final action and creates a smoother flow of movement.

3. Staging

Staging is the principle of presenting an idea so that it’s clear and easily understood by the audience. In animation, this involves framing shots, using lighting, and ensuring that the characters’ positions and actions are easily discernible.

Whether it’s an action scene or a moment of quiet reflection, the staging should make sure the audience can follow the action without confusion.

4. Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose

These two animation techniques refer to the method of creating movement in an animated scene:

• Straight Ahead Action involves drawing each frame sequentially, from start to finish. This method is best for unpredictable, fluid actions.
• Pose to Pose involves drawing key poses first and then filling in the in-between frames. This is ideal for more controlled, structured animation, especially when the movement needs to be deliberate and precise.

Both techniques have their advantages, and animators often combine them for greater flexibility.

5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action

Follow-through refers to the continuation of movement after the main action has stopped. For example, when a character’s arm finishes swinging, their hair or clothing may continue to move for a moment. This adds a layer of realism and believability.

Overlapping action refers to the idea that different parts of a body or object move at different rates. For example, a character’s legs might stop moving while their arms are still in motion. This distinction makes animation feel more organic and natural.

6. Slow In and Slow Out

Slow in and slow out refers to the way objects and characters move. When something starts moving, it generally begins slowly, speeds up, and then slows down again before stopping. This helps to create a smoother and more realistic movement.

For example, a car accelerating will not immediately hit its top speed; it will slowly gain momentum before reaching its full speed and will gradually decelerate before stopping.

7. Arcs

In the real world, most natural movements follow a curved path or an arc rather than a straight line. This principle is crucial in animation because it enhances the fluidity and believability of motion.

Think of a swinging pendulum or a character’s arm swinging. The path traced by these movements is typically a smooth arc. Arcs are essential in creating graceful and natural-looking animation.

8. Secondary Action

Secondary actions are smaller movements that support the main action and provide depth to the animation. These actions don’t necessarily drive the plot forward but add richness to the scene.

For instance, if a character is walking, their hair might bounce with each step, or they might twirl their fingers absentmindedly while talking. These subtle movements help to give the character personality and make the animation feel more alive.

9. Timing

Timing refers to the speed at which an action occurs. In animation, timing is essential for conveying the weight, mood, and nature of a scene. Faster actions may indicate excitement, while slower movements can suggest contemplation or sorrow.

For example, a character may pause before delivering a punch to build tension or deliver a punch with lightning speed to convey power and energy.

10. Exaggeration

Exaggeration doesn’t mean making actions unrealistic; rather, it’s about pushing movements beyond what is typical for dramatic effect. Exaggeration helps animate actions that might otherwise be too subtle or difficult to convey, and it adds energy and excitement.

For example, in a cartoon fight scene, the impact of a punch could be exaggerated by stretching the character’s face or extremely distorting their body.

11. Solid Drawing

Solid drawing involves creating animations that have depth, weight, and dimension, making characters and objects appear three-dimensional, even in a 2D animation. It’s the principle that helps maintain consistency and realistic proportions throughout an animation.

This principle emphasizes the importance of understanding anatomy, perspective, and shading in creating compelling, visually appealing animation.

12. Appeal

Appeal refers to the charm or likability of characters or designs. A well-designed character has a sense of personality and is engaging to the audience, whether they’re a villain or a hero.

Characters with appeal are easy to relate to, and their designs are often simple, memorable, and visually pleasing. This principle is vital for creating characters that audiences care about and want to watch.

How Animated Rules Shape the Creative Process

The application of these animated rules significantly impacts the creative process, guiding animators toward more effective storytelling and engaging visual representation. Whether the goal is to create a sense of realism or to convey an over-the-top, whimsical atmosphere, these rules provide an essential framework for animators to explore and develop their ideas.

For example, an animator creating a fight scene would use principles like anticipation and follow-through to build up the moment and add dramatic impact. Meanwhile, they would use timing and exaggeration to ensure that the punches and reactions feel intense, adding a sense of urgency and excitement.

These rules also support the creation of different types of animation. For example, 2D hand-drawn animation, stop-motion animation, and 3D computer animation all follow these basic principles, though the techniques and tools may differ. Whether working on a feature film, a short clip, or a commercial, these principles are universal.

Why Are Animated Rules Important?

Animated rules are not just artistic techniques; they are vital to the emotional and cognitive impact animation has on the audience. They help establish the rhythm and flow of a scene and ensure that the animation feels coherent and engaging.

Without adhering to these principles, animation can feel jarring, lifeless, or confusing. For example, an animation without the principle of squash and stretch might feel stiff and unresponsive, while an animation without anticipation may feel disjointed and abrupt.

Moreover, these rules allow animators to experiment and push boundaries while maintaining a sense of consistency and coherence. They give animators the tools to create more complex, emotionally resonant, and dynamic animations.

Conclusion

Animated rules are the building blocks of effective animation. Whether you’re a beginner animator or a seasoned professional, understanding and applying these principles is essential to creating animations that resonate with audiences.

From giving characters more life and personality to crafting fluid and dynamic movements, these rules guide animators in telling compelling stories and creating visuals that captivate viewers. By adhering to the 12 principles of animation, animators can ensure that their creations not only move smoothly but also evoke emotional responses, engage the audience, and stay memorable.