2nd Module - Class 1
2nd Module - Class 1
Module II - Class 1
Animators are responsible for bringing images to life and transforming them into exciting sequences that
work by creating an illusion of movement. Animation has an important role in the media and entertainment
industry and is today used for all kinds of purposes in many different fields, including film, TV, marketing,
gaming and education.
If you’re interested in a career in animation, you’ll need to have an understanding of the history of
animation and its different forms in order to identify what kind of work you’d like to make and which area
you want to specialise in.
Cinematograph popularized the motion picture and producers began to explore the endless possibilities of
animation in greater depth. There are five basic types of animations,
1. Traditional Animation
2. 2D Animation
3. 3D Animation
4. Stop Motion Animation
5. Motion Graphics
1. Traditional Animation
Traditional animation, also known as cel animation or hand-drawn
animation, is the oldest form of animation. According to traditional
style, an animator will meticulously hand-draw each frame on paper,
which is then photocopied or retraced onto transparent acetate sheets
called cels. Paint is applied and each cel is photographed one-by-one to
produce an animated sequence.
The technique was the dominant form of animation in cinema until the
advent of computer animation.
2. 2D Animation
2D animation, also known as vector-based animation, is all
about creating movement in a 2-dimensional space.
Advancements in animation software have meant that 2D
animation is now an increasingly accessible and popular choice
for artists. Rather than sketching every frame, artists can
significantly reduce production time and costs by using software
such as Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate and Adobe After
Effects to manipulate images and speed up the process.
The process is often divided into three main stages, namely, modelling, layout and
animation, and rendering, which each require planning and expertise.
During the modelling stage, objects and characters are created using a specific
modelling tool. The aim is to capture unique personality traits and movements, which
can be achieved by giving a character bones, skin weights and constraints that enable
it to move in specific ways.
The layout and animation stage is focused on the creation of a set in which to place
the object and involves consideration of factors like object size and location.
Finally, computer calculations generate the finished image using specialised software
through a process known as rendering.
4. Stop Motion
Animation
Stop motion animation is a technique that is achieved by capturing
one frame at a time, using physical objects or props that are
moved between frames. When the sequence of images is played
back rapidly, an illusion of movement is produced. Clay figures or
puppets with movable joints are often used in stop motion
animation. Plasticine is an ideal choice of material as its flexibility
means that it is easy to manipulate in order to replicate different
movements and expressions.
Aardman Animations are well known for their use of stop motion
animation in the creation of many celebrated characters such as
Morph and Wallace and Gromit.
5. Motion Graphics
Motion graphics refers to a style of animation that utilises text as a
major component to communicate a message. The focus here is on
adding movement to specific graphic design elements that would
otherwise be static to create impact. Shapes, objects and text can
effectively be set in motion to create a powerful visual display.
This type of animation can be particularly useful if you need to
highlight specific content or express complex ideas visually in a
way that is accessible to audiences.
Part C