12 Princibles of Animation

The 12 principles were first introduced by Disney's animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas. These principles are essentially the building blocks of modern day animation and are still used today. All the twelve principles have a very important part in creating animation and all have their uses and strengths. Really good animation will utilize these twelve principles are use them to create good quality work. The 12 principles are the essentially the bread and butter of animating and anyone who wishes to take animating seriously, really needs to consider, study and understand these vital points.

 

The 12 principles are:

- Squash and Stretch

- Anticipation

- Staging

- Straight ahead action and pose to pose

- Follow through and overlapping action

- Slow in and slow out

- Arcs

- Secondary action

- Timing

- Exaggeration

- Solid Drawing

- Appeal

Done