Original Resources On The Principles of Animation

The Physics of Animation Understanding Newton's Laws of Motion

The Physics of Animation Understanding Newton's Laws of Motion

12 Principles Of Animation by Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston

  1. Squash and Stretch
  2. Anticipation
  3. Staging
  4. Straight Ahead Action vs Pose to Pose
  5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action
  6. Slow In and Slow Out
  7. Arcs and Motion Paths
  8. Secondary Action
  9. Timing as Spacing
  10. Exaggeration or Caricature
  11. Solid Drawing
  12. Appeal 

Physical Principles Of Animation Sir Isaac Newton

Laws of Motion

  1. The Law of Inertia or "the Natural State of Motion"
  2. The Relation between Force, Acceleration, and Momentum
  3. For Every Action There Is An Equal Opposite Reaction

Related Physical Principles

  • Elastic Force (Squash and Stretch)
  • Weight (Gravitational Pull)
  • Balance (Equilibrium)
The Jumping Sack Animating A Structured Scene

The Jumping Sack Animating A Structured Scene

Students are allowed to design their own Sack Character and also decide how its Saga should End, but they must follow a structured script which includes a Walk-In, a Take and Double-Take, and a Jumping Cycle which must be repeated twice. As part of live demos I created the animations below in Storyboard Pro.

Physical Principles Of Animation by Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston

  1. Timing (Physical and Objective)
  2. Squash and Stretch
  3. Anticipation
  4. Straight Ahead Action vs Pose to Pose
  5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action
  6. Slow In and Slow Out
  7. Arcs and Motion Paths
  8. Solid Drawing

Metaphysical Principles Of Animation by Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston

  1. Timing (Mental and Subjective)
  2. Staging (Storytelling)
  3. Secondary Action (Performative)
  4. Exaggeration (Caricature)
  5. Appeal (Visual Charm)
The Standard Sack Model Drawing Its Basic Structure

The Standard Sack Model Drawing Its Basic Structure

Designing Your Own Sack Character Creating An Original Model of the Human Torso

Designing Your Own Sack Character Creating An Original Model of the Human Torso

Physical Principles Of Animation As Principles of Mechanical Motion

Laws of Motion

  1. The Law of Inertia or "the Natural State of Motion"
  2. The Relation between Force, Acceleration, and Momentum
  3. For Every Action There Is An Equal Opposite Reaction

Related Physical Principles

  • Elastic Force (Squash and Stretch)
  • Weight (Gravitational Pull)
  • Balance (Equilibrium)

Metaphysical Principles Of Animation As Principles of Storytelling

Principles of Character Design in Animation

1. Exaggeration as Hystericizing
2. Caricature as Ensouled Individuality
3. Appeal as Compelling Universality
4. Archetypal Shape Language

Principles of Story Telling in Animation

5. Acting 
6. Staging
7. Gesture
8. Performance