Types of animation: choose a method for a tiny film
Compare drawn frames, moved cutouts, photographed objects, and interpolated shapes through one small action, then choose a method that suits the movement you want to make.
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Motion & animation.
Explore what happens between one frame and the next.
18 practical guides
Animation timing and spacing with one moving dot
Separate the duration of an action from the distance traveled between its visible positions, using a simple movement study that makes acceleration easy to inspect.
Easing explained through a sliding block
Design the pace of a movement by comparing linear travel, gradual starts, and gradual stops, then choose an easing curve according to the action's intent.
Make a seamless animation loop
Construct a repeating movement whose boundary is intentional, checking both position and direction so the join feels continuous when the sequence begins again.
Squash and stretch without accidental size changes
Use coordinated changes in height and width to express softness, impact, and recovery, while keeping the shape's apparent mass under deliberate control.
Anticipation in animation: make the action easier to read
Prepare an action with a small preceding movement, choosing the direction and duration of that preparation so the main event feels motivated and easy to follow.
Follow-through and overlapping action with a paper flag
Give connected parts different stopping times so an action carries through a flexible object, using a flag study that separates the leading movement from its trailing response.
Stop motion at home with ordinary objects
Plan and photograph a short object animation with stable framing, repeatable lighting, and small movement increments, then diagnose flicker and unwanted camera jumps.
Cutout animation: place the joints before the details
Create an articulated paper or digital figure by locating pivots, allowing overlap at the joints, and blocking the movement before decorating the parts.
Frame-by-frame animation: begin with the key poses
Design a short drawn action through decisive poses, then add intermediate drawings according to the movement rather than filling every gap with equal spacing.
A simple walk cycle with a paper character
Block a repeating walk through contact, passing, and weight shifts, using a small character whose feet and body can be checked independently.
Motion graphics with a small cast of shapes
Build a short abstract sequence from a few geometric objects, choosing a leading action and arranging supporting movements into a clear visual phrase.
Parallax animation with three paper layers
Create a modest sense of depth by moving layered scenery at different rates, checking the frame edges and preserving a coherent relationship between the layers.
Morph animation: match the points before moving them
Transform one drawn shape into another by pairing corresponding points and inspecting intermediate silhouettes, with a method for avoiding tangled or collapsing geometry.
Sprite sheet animation: make every frame fit the same box
Organize a short drawn cycle into consistent frame cells, keeping alignment and playback order clear enough to diagnose jitter before adding more animation states.
Storyboard a short animation before polishing it
Plan a compact sequence through visible changes and clear transitions, then test the story with rough frames before spending time on detailed artwork.
Frame rate and animation holds: choose the rhythm deliberately
Compare playback rate, drawing changes, and held poses so you can choose a rhythm for a short animation without assuming that more frames always improve the action.
Export animation without losing the intended crop
Prepare a short animation for sharing by checking dimensions, frame sequence, loop boundaries, and the final viewing context before generating a large finished file.