12 Principles of Animation

  • SQUASH & STRETCH
  • ANTICIPATION
  • STAGING
  • STRAIGHT AHEAD & POSE TO POSE
  • FOLLOW THROUGH & OVERLAPPING ACTION
  • SLOW IN & SLOW OUT
  • ARCS
  • SECONDARY ACTION
  • TIMING
  • EXAGGERATION
  • SOLID DRAWING
  • APPEAL

Animation Principles

There are 12 animation principles that help animators create the illusion of movement in hand-drawn, stop-motion, and cg animation.

1 -  Squash & Stretch

2 - Anticipation

3 - Staging

4 - Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose

5 - Follow Through & Overlapping Action

6 - Slow In & Slow Out

7 - Arcs

8 - Secondary Action

9 - Timing

10 - Exaggeration

11 - Solid Drawing

12 - Appeal