Research | Principles of Animation

Below are the 12 principles of animation with links to video example and a short explanation. These are the movements that can be used in animation to add realism. Some of them are used to make the animation more exciting or by combining two the animator can make something extraordinary e.g combining Squash and Stretch and Exaggeration to make a character move in an unnaturally exaggerated manor. 

Squash and stretch - BUPA Feel fine -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCJ8P2khTec
Weight and flexibility. Its makes movements either natural, or exaggerated. It can be used for kinetic movements.

Anticipation - Red (2010) -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gxrI5CPYIM
Allows for the user to predict what will happen. Suspense is added. Alludes to the forthcoming movements. Heightens drama.

Staging - Skate Rotoscope -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUpPymtMRj4
Staging gives the objects a scene to sit in. It tells you about the object, or the situation the object has got itself into. Directs the audience attention.

Straight ahead action and Pose-to-pose - Stick Figure vs Mouse -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opAJyA-L-fw
Change of size and volume. Continuous sequences frame by frame. Pose to Pose action is key frames and interpolation. Character position cutting between poses.

Follow through action and Overlapping action - Never Enough Alfa -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx2sPfgqlkg
Overlapping action- More than one animation simultaneously on a screen. Interacting and affecting each other.

Follow through action- Explaining physical movements through the use of continuation.
Ease in and Ease out - HBTV: Depth of Speed -
https://vimeo.com/27010709

Arcs - BUPA Feel fine -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCJ8P2khTec
Paths of movement, they highlight gravity or effects of momentum.

Secondary action - Doctor Fish - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdNghrAeks0
Adds sense of realism, an example is a horses hair moving as it runs.

Timing - Animated Walk and Skip Cycles -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5ffy-YwybA

Exaggeration - Stick Figure vs Mouse -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opAJyA-L-fw
Adds an unatural effect. Overstated physical movements. Stops the story being boring and rigid. Explains whats happened.

Solid Drawing - Emotions and the Brain - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNY0AAUtH3g

Appeal - Animated Walk and Skip Cycles - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5ffy-YwybA
http://vimeo.com/39859084