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what are the 12 principles of animation
Shoshanah Wall13.09.207 min read

What are the 12 Principles of Animation?

Image: Disney

One of the most important milestones in animation history is the development of the 12 Principles of Animation, a set of guidelines that help animators create fluid, realistic-looking motion using the physics of movement and principles of anatomy. These principles have become the foundation for both traditional 2D animation and modern 3D animation techniques. Understanding these core principles of animation is the logical place for any animator to start. So, let's begin!

The 12 Principles of Animation

The 12 Principles of Animation were developed by Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston in the 1930s and 1940s during the early years of Disney animation. They were officially introduced in their 1981 book, The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. Belong, we outline each step.


1. Squash and Stretch

Squash and stretch examine how an object changes shape by forces acting upon it, giving objects and characters a sense of weight, flexibility, and volume by exaggerating the way they change shape during movement.

Squash: When an object or character compresses, it flattens or shortens to convey impact or weight.

Stretch: When the same object or character moves away from the point of impact or accelerates, it elongates to show speed or momentum.

This first principle can be best described by a bouncing ball that appears stretched while falling and squashed once it hits the ground. 

This principle is key in making animations feel dynamic and lively, but it’s important to maintain the object’s overall volume during the squash and stretch so it doesn't look unnatural.

squash-and-stretch-2d-anim-jenny-marie-duncan-Example of squash and stretch using a hand-drawn flour sack by CGS student Jenny Mariel Duncan.


2. Anticipation

Anticipation is a small movement that precedes a larger one. It's a visual clue for the audience, preparing them for a more major event or action. Think of a character squatting before taking a leap into the air.

Without anticipation, actions can feel sudden or jarring, reducing their visual impact. It’s key to making animations feel smooth and believable. 


3. Staging

Staging, as the name suggests, sets the scene in a clear way that avoids confusion. It helps direct the audience’s attention towards what's going on or what matters most in a scene. It is also used to set the mood and tone of a scene, helping to communicate the emotional or narrative beats more effectively.

Good staging can be achieved through lighting, camera angles, or the placement of elements within the frame. 


4. Straight Ahead versus Pose-to-pose

This principle refers to the drawing process of 2D animation. However, these terms are also useful for creating 3D work.

Straight ahead means drawing the animation frame-by-frame from beginning to end. This approach is often used for fast, unpredictable, or fluid movements (like fire, water, or hair) because it creates natural, spontaneous motion

Pose-to-pose means drawing a few key frames and then filling in the intervals. This method is used for more planned-out, controlled animations, such as character acting or complex movements. It helps maintain consistency in size, proportion, and timing. Most animation software will fill the gaps in a pose-to-pose setup for you. 


5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action 

Follow-through and overlapping action articulate the tendency of different parts of a body or an object to move at different speeds. 

Follow through refers to the action that occurs after a character or object comes to a stop, accounting for parts of the body that continue to move after the main action has finished. Think of when a character stops running; their hair, clothing, or any loose parts continue to sway or bounce. Follow through adds realism by mimicking the physical laws of motion and helps convey weight and inertia. 

Overlapping action involves parts of a character or object moving at different rates or times. For example, when a character waves their arm, the hand moves first, followed by the arm and then the shoulder. This principle adds depth and complexity to animations by demonstrating that various elements react to motion independently.

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6. Slow In and Slow Out

Slow in and slow out refers to the gradual acceleration and deceleration of objects when moving from point A to point B. This principle is also called ease-in and ease-out or easing. 

For example, when a character begins to run, they don’t immediately reach full speed; they start off slowly and gradually speed up. Then, when they come to a halt after running, they will slow down first before stopping completely.


7. Arcs

Arcs describe the curved motion of objects. The laws of physics create a curved trajectory of moving objects. A skilled animator will animate in arcs and not in straight lines. Think in terms of parabolas. 

Arcs can enhance the visual interest of a movement, making it more engaging for the viewer. They add dynamics and can also contribute to the character's personality and expression.

12-principles-of-animation-arc-alfredo-cassanoExample of arcs from the film Klaus, animated by CG Spectrum mentor Alfredo Cassano (Image source)


8. Secondary Action

Secondary actions are created to enhance the main action and add layers to a scene for a richer and more immersive experience. A useful example is looking at the act of walking. When walking (the primary action being legs moving the body forward), a character's arms may swing, and their hair might bounce (these would be considered secondary actions). 

The principle of staging comes into play when creating secondary action as they should not distract from the main action but enhance it. Secondary actions should complement the main action. 


9. Timing

Timing is controlling the speed of an action by the number of drawings or frames assigned to its articulation. In essence, more frames are used to create slower action and fewer frames for faster action. A quick movement, like a character dodging an attack, might take fewer frames, while a slow, dramatic gesture, like reaching for something, may take more frames to enhance the feeling of weight and tension.

This is a skill that takes a lot of practice to master. Correct timing is crucial for creating emotion, mood, and the reaction of the character animation. 


10. Exaggeration 

Exaggeration pushes the boundaries of realism. It involves animating a subject in a heightened or extreme way so that the audience still recognizes and understands what is going on. Disney animators are masters of this device, often adding highly exaggerated facial expressions to convey intense feelings, such as shock or joy.

exaggeration-example-2d-animation-bianka-faragoExample of exaggeration from CG Spectrum student Bianka Farago.


11. Solid Drawing 

Solid drawing sets down the laws of perspective in three-dimensional space. This refers to anatomy, weight, balance, light, shadow, depth of field, etc. An animated character should have consistent proportions and perspective, giving the impression that they can be rotated or viewed from different angles. Practice drawing objects from various angles so you understand their 3D presence. 


12. Appeal

Appeal is the subtle art of making your characters compelling and enjoyable to watch. Animators and designers focus on creating characters with distinct shapes, colors, and features that resonate with the target audience, considering factors such as age, gender, and cultural context. Maintaining a character's appeal throughout the animation is important, as well as ensuring that their design and personality remain coherent across various scenes.

example-of-appeal-2d-animation-todd-jacobsenExample of appeal from animation by CG Spectrum mentor Todd Jacobsen (image source)


Why learn the 12 Principles of Animation?

Mastering the 12 Principles of Animation is essential for anyone looking to excel in animation. These foundational techniques will not only enhance the quality of your animations but also help bring characters and stories to life in a way that captivates your audience.

Whether you want to become a 2D animator or a 3D animator, applying these principles will elevate your work and set you apart in the competitive industry of film and games.



Ready to apply the 12 Principles of Animation and kickstart your journey as an animator in film and games?

At CG Spectrum, we offer comprehensive animation courses for both 2D and 3D animation.

Our courses start with the 12 Principles of Animation, progressing to more complex tasks as your skills improve. Your animation mentor will be there to guide you throughout, offering personalized feedback on your work, industry insights, and technical tips to ensure you are equipped with the skills to help land a job in the industry.

Are You Ready to Create?  Fast-track your way into the industry and start your creative career sooner.


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Shoshanah Wall

Shoshanah is a content manager and copywriter with almost a decade of experience in VFX production, coordinating teams of artists in Australia and London. Her credits include Mad Max: Fury Road, Ant-Man, John Wick: Parabellum, Game of Thrones, and Christopher Robin. She now enjoys getting to write about the film and games industry.

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