Designed by Gregory Coelho

What is animation ?

From a simple bouncing ball to Godzilla fighting a Kaiju,
Anything you can make moving with a computer or with a sheet of paper is animation!

What is animation, you ask? Essentially, it's the art of creating the illusion of movement. By rapidly displaying a sequence of images, the brain interprets them as in motion.

But it is much more! It is giving life! Think bout it, you can animate anything. Like a character or a simple ball . But if you do it the right way with the right timing, then you create life with a soul and a personality. You all know Pixar's Lamp:

It's a simple object. But when animated in the right way, you can capture its personality: curious, playful, and a bit mischievous.

What are the different styles of animation?

There is many style and techniques on animation here are the most famous:

Japanese Anime (Totoro, Naruto, One Piece...)

Animation feature movie (Shrek, Toys story...)

VFX Movies (Godzilla, Jurassic Park, Iron man...)

Stop Motion (Nightmare before Christmas, Chicken run...)

Cartoons ( Simpsons, South Park, Bugs Bunny...)

Video games (Assassin's creed, GTA, World of warcraft...)

What is the job of Animator?

You've got it! Creating life with the illusion of movement. But that's not all. As professionals within animation studios, animators must adhere to certain requirements:

Consistency: Characters, animation style, and quality must remain consistent throughout the entire movie, even if many artists have shared the workload.
Realism: When animating humans or creatures like dragons, dogs, or birds, the animator must adhere to the character's anatomy (unless it's completely cartoonish, of course).
Physics: Have you ever tried to animate a bouncing ball? Well, you should give it a try to experiment with the laws of physics. You'll notice that factors like weight, gravity, forces, resistance, flexibility, and kinetic energy play a significant role in achieving realism in an animation.
Respecting the Director's Vision: Sometimes, the animator is the director. However, most of the time, the animator should do their best to align with the movie director's vision.

How is it made?

There are many techniques available, depending on the type of animation. Here are three examples:

2D Animation: To create the illusion of movement, the animator will draw 24 images on paper (or on a computer).
3D Animation: To achieve the same result, the animator uses a 3D puppet. They control it to create two key poses, and then the software assists in generating images in between.
Stop Motion: This technique involves using a real puppet. The animator creates a pose and takes a picture with a camera. They then make slight adjustments to the puppet and take another picture, repeating this process as needed.

2D Animation (taditional):

To create the illusion of movement, the animator draws 24 images (or 12) on paper for one second of motion.
You surely remember these cartoons: The Jungle Book, Bugs Bunny, Naruto... 2D animation offers great freedom because the pencil stroke faces no technical constraints, except for the limits of your imagination.

Animation from talented animator Aaron Blaise

source: Youtube channel of Aarron Blaise

2D Animation (Digital):

This time, the animation is assisted by the computer. It includes several subcategories: frame-by-frame animation, motion design. When it’s not frame-by-frame, the animator records 'key poses,' and the software calculates the in-between frames. The advantage is that it’s not necessary to redraw each frame, which gives the freedom to focus solely on the timing, for example.

source: Youtube channel Balala

Animation 3D:

To achieve the same result, the animator uses a 3D puppet. After selecting impactful poses that clearly describe an action, the software calculates the in-between poses. Here, it's possible to play with volumes and camera movements. Special effects like wind, fur, or even realistic renderings can easily be added.

Stop Motion:

This technique involves using a real puppet. The animator creates a pose and takes a photo with a camera. Then, they slightly adjust the puppet and take another photo, repeating this process as needed.

source: Youtube Channel Laika studio

Motion capture:

Motion capture involves capturing movement through video recording or using sensors. The data is then processed and converted into movement for a 3D puppet.

source: Youtube channel WIRED

What are the main animation industries?

MOVIES!

From epic blockbusters to heartwarming animations, the film industry has undergone a radical transformation with the incorporation of 3D animation. Visual effects (VFX) have become the backbone of modern cinema, allowing directors to bring their wildest imaginations to life. Blockbusters like "Avatar" and "The Avengers" series have showcased the sheer power of 3D animation in creating breathtaking worlds and jaw-dropping action sequences.

Where can you work as an animator?
In today's digital age, 3D animation has taken center stage across various industries, transforming the way we experience entertainment, communication, and visual storytelling. From the silver screen to our handheld devices, 3D animation plays a pivotal role in creating captivating and immersive experiences. Let's dive into the fascinating worlds of film, television, gaming, and advertising, where 3D animation reigns supreme.

TV shows and cartoons!

Television has evolved into a hub of diverse content, thanks to the magic of 3D animation. From gripping series like "Game of Thrones" to beloved cartoons like "SpongeBob " 3D animation brings characters and stories to life with intricate details and vibrant visuals. Children's shows have embraced this technology to create whimsical worlds that captivate young minds and spark their creativity.

GAMING!

Gaming has emerged as a multimillion-dollar industry, and 3D animation is its cornerstone. The gaming universe thrives on immersive experiences, and 3D animation allows players to explore fantastical realms, interact with lifelike characters, and engage in thrilling adventures. From open-world RPGs to action-packed shooters, 3D animation turns pixels into living, breathing worlds.

ADVERTISING!

In the dynamic world of advertising, the art of animation has revolutionized how products and services are presented to the public. Commercials have transcended traditional boundaries, utilizing the captivating power of animation to craft memorable and visually stunning advertisements. Brands harness the creativity of animation to showcase products from imaginative perspectives, tell compelling stories, and leave an indelible mark on viewers.