Character Animation Fundamentals: The 12 Principles That Matter

The 12 principles of animation, established by Disney animators, remain as relevant today as they were decades ago. Understanding these principles is essential for any aspiring character animator.

Squash and Stretch: Bringing Life to Characters

This principle gives weight and flexibility to your characters. A bouncing ball demonstrates the concept perfectly – it squashes when it hits the ground and stretches as it moves through the air.

Anticipation: Setting Up the Action

Every action needs preparation. A character pulling back before throwing a punch, or crouching before jumping, helps the audience understand and follow the motion.

Staging and Appeal in Modern Animation

Clear staging ensures your animation reads well, while appeal makes characters engaging to watch. These principles apply whether you're working in 2D, 3D, or stop-motion animation.

Applying Principles to Your Work

Practice these principles individually, then combine them. Start with simple exercises like bouncing balls and pendulums before moving to character work.