1. ANIMATION
Animation is a form of multimedia
that relies on the process of creating
movement in a video or image. It can be
used to create characters, objects, and
scenes that look realistic and lifelike. From
cartoons to 3D movies, there’s a lot that
can be done with animation to create virtual
surroundings.
2. Animation has allowed storytellers to tell
stories in unique ways. The visceral
fantastical worlds in animated films can
reignite inspiration and the magic of stories
no matter what age
3. What is the definition of animation?
The simulation of movement created by a
series of pictures is animation. But how it
actually works is a bit more complicated
than that. Before we get to the various
types of animated motion pictures, let's start
with an animation definition.
Different Types of Animation:
Traditional Animation
Anime
3D Animation
Stop Motion
Cutout animation
Motion graphics
Now that we have an animation definition, let’s dig into the
different types of animation.
Traditional
4. This is one of the oldest types of animation in film. It’s sometimes
called cel animation. As mentioned above, in traditional
animation objects are drawn on celluloid transparent paper. In
order to create the animation sequence, the animator must draw
every frame. It’s the same mechanism as a flip book just on a
grander scale.
Traditional is most often 2D animation. Aladdin, The Lion King,
and other earlier cartoons are the best examples of this.
In the earlier years, the animator would draw on a table that had a
light inside of it, so the creator could see his or her previous
animation. While the traditional style is not nearly as prevalent
today, drawings are generally done on tablets.
Here's an explanation of how animator Aaron Blaise creates
traditional, hand-drawn animated movies.
Anime
Anime could technically be considered a subcategory of
traditional animation. But anime simply refers to any of the types
of animation which comes out of Japan. Take a look at this scene
from Akira, one of the most celebrated anime films of all time:
5. 3D Animation
Today, 3D or computer animation is one of the most common
types of animation. But just because computers have stepped in
instead of actual drawings, it’s not necessarily easier. The
computer is just another tool, and 3D animation is still a long,
intense process.
In 3D animated movies, the animator uses a program to move
the character’s body parts around. They set their digital frames
when all of the parts of the character are in the right position.
6. They do this for each frame, and the computer calculates the
motion from each frame.
3D animation is also unique in that, unlike 2D or other
traditional methods, the character’s entire body is always
visible. If a character turns to the side, the animator only
needs to draw the side profile in 2D animation, but in 3D,
the entire body still needs to be visible. So again, even
though computers are being used, with new technology
comes with way more considerations.
Whether you’re using drawing in 2D or computing in 3D,
animators and filmmakers alike look to storyboards to
plan out each frame. Unlike live- action, animation movies
can’t rely on camera tricks in a shot. Storyboards are
the lifeline for creating animation.
Motion Graphics
Motion Graphics are digital graphics that create the illusion of
motion usually for ads, title sequences in films, but ultimately
exist to communicate something to the viewer. They’re often
combined with sound for multimedia projects.
They’re a type of animation used mostly in business, usually with
text as a main player. Below are a few examples of motion graphic
animation, using the top trends of today.
7. Motion Graphic Design Inspirations
Stop Motion
Stop motion encompasses claymation, pixelation, object-
motionm, and more. But the basic mechanics are similar to the
traditional style like a flipbook. However, instead of drawings,
stop motion adjusts physical objects in each frame.
If moved in small increments, captured one frame at a time, the
illusion of motion is produced. Whether puppets, clay, or even
real people, these manual adjustments can make it a long,
arduous process. Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and The
Nightmare Before Christmas are all great examples of stop motion
films.
8. Cutout Animation
Cutout animation is one of the oldest forms of animation. The
technique is essentially 2D stop motion. An animator moves
cutout shapes (hence, cutout) from frame to frame to create the
illusion of movement.
The technique is cheaper and slightly easier than other animation
styles, so it proliferated in independent spaces. Think of Monty
Python animation:
When multiple images blend into a single moving image in the
brain it’s called persistence of vision. See below.
9. Motion graphics
Motion graphics are pieces of animation or digital footage which
create the illusion of motion or rotation, and are usually combined
with audio for use in multimedia projects. Motion graphics are
usually displayed via electronic media technology, but may also
be displayed via manual powered technology. The term
distinguishes static graphics from those with a transforming
appearance over time, without over-specifying the form. While
any form of experimental or abstract animation can be called
motion graphics, the term typically more explicitly refers to the
commercial application of animation and effects to video, film, TV,
and interactive applications.
2D animation
2D animation is one of the major types of animation. It’s widely
used for creating animated movies, cartoons, marketing
videos, advertisements, corporate presentations, educational
materials, video games, and so much more.
With the rise of video content, more and more businesses
consider using animated videos for promotion, as companies
hire animation teams, while others try to create them online with
the help of video maker tools.
Animated videos have a huge impact on the audience in three
different ways: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Besides, they
can be simply adorable.
This is an example of a 2D animated explainer video by
Amazon which fully presents Amazon Ignite for educators
10. through animation accompanied by playful music and a
professional voiceover
3D animation
The entertainment industry is not the only consumer of 3D animation,
though. The latter is widely used in education, medicine, architecture,
and of course, advertising. From all the various animation styles, 3D is
by far the most demanded one, especially by younger generations.
It’s easy to see why people love 3D animations: They’re super exciting,
engaging, and a great communicator. It’s no surprise so many businesses
rely on them for brand storytelling, building a friendly image, and
attracting more customers.
Today, we’re going to uncover 3D animation, how it’s made, some tips
and tricks, what 3D animation software to use, and how to create your
animation online even if you’re not a pro animator.
11. whiteboard animation
You’ve probably used a dry-erase whiteboard to sketch ideas out
during a meeting, illustrate a problem in math class or keep track
of your grocery list. But you can also use a whiteboard to create
animated videos.
Since the style lends itself well to illustrating complex ideas in a
visual way, most whiteboard animations are created as marketing
videos or educational explainer videos. The combination of bright,
graphic illustrations with an engaging and interesting story
instantly grabs attention and can keep both customers and
students engaged.
12. “Whiteboard animation is traditionally done on a dry-erase
whiteboard with simple pens. There’s no shading and it’s usually
made with very quick line drawings,” explains animator and
illustrator Mark Wooding. The videos are often accompanied by a
voice-over, explaining the content or narrating the scene.
Rotoscoping animation
Rotoscoping is an old-school process used to create animation
from live action footage. The technique involves drawing over the
live-action footage with a series of still images, which are then
placed onto a background track of movement to form a finished
animated scene. Rotoscoping is most commonly associated with
the early silent film era, when artists would work by hand, creating
scenes that were later composited together.
A digital copy of the main actor’s face is created by using a
computer software to duplicate the motion of the original actor’s
face, which is then composited onto the original live action
footage. While the process of rotoscoping requires lots of manual
labor, it can be quite expensive, time consuming, and difficult to
achieve a high quality result.
13. How to animate a logo
Start with Canva First, open Canva and go to “Animated Logos”
for a library of professionally designed templates to draw
inspiration from and customize.
Select the right animated logo style to fit your brand ...
Customize your animated logo ...
Download as an MP4 video or GIF file ...
Add it to your various visual branding media ...
How to make an animation video.
1. Character & audio. Pick a character. Upload an audio file or
record your dialogue.
2. Customize. Preview your audio and animation. Change the
character or background as desired.
How to make an animation image.
Upload your image. Upload your desired image from your photo
library or select a stock image to feature in your design.
14. Animate your photo. Select the Animation tool and choose from
a handful of creative animation options. ...
Save and download. Instantly download your animated image
as an MP4 video to share across your digital channels and
social media platforms. ...
