History of Animation

Delving into the captivating world of animation, understanding its rich history is paramount. The history of animation traces back through an incredible evolution, from the early days of hand-drawn sketches to the advent of CGI and beyond, showcasing its impact on entertainment, art, and technology.

In this blog, we’ll explore the vast landscape of animation. From the foundational aspects like types and principles to unlocking the keys to mastery, we’ll journey through the fascinating history of animation, uncovering pivotal moments that shaped this mesmerizing art form.

Table of content

History of Animation
How to Be a Master in Animation
Types of Animation
Principles of Animation
Animation Devices Used Earlier
First Animated Movie
Courses to Learn Animation in 2024

Animation is the art of bringing still images or inanimate objects to life through motion pictures. By manipulating illustrations or objects sequentially, animation creates the illusion of movement, crafting narratives that captivate audiences. Some trace its roots back to ancient Grecian pottery, where scenes depicted movement and expressions akin to a comic strip.

The history of animation predates traditional filmmaking, with early pioneers devising methods to create moving images without modern recording technology. J. Stuart Blackton’s The Enchanted Drawing (1900) marked the first animated sequence captured on standard film. Émile Cohl’s Fantasmagorie (1908) presented one of the earliest cartoons, followed by Winsor McCay’s Gertie the Dinosaur in 1914, which introduced pivotal techniques like keyframing and animation loops. Disney’s Steamboat Willie (1928) was a landmark moment, pioneering synchronized sound in animated films, popularizing Mickey Mouse, and revolutionizing sound usage in the genre.

How to Be a Master in Animation?

Mastering animation involves a blend of dedication, practice, and continual learning. Here are steps to excel:

Foundation: Start with the basics. Learn the principles of animation, understand software tools, and study traditional art forms by doing a course in animation.
Practice Regularly: Animation is about honing skills. Practice consistently, experiment with different techniques, and strive for improvement.
Get Feedback: Share your work and seek feedback. Constructive criticism helps identify areas for growth.
Learn Software: Master popular animation software like Adobe Animate, Toon Boom Harmony, or Blender. Understanding tools expands creative possibilities.
Explore Specialization: Animation has diverse fields. Explore areas like character animation, motion graphics, or VFX to find your niche.
Stay Updated: Technology evolves rapidly. Keep learning new techniques, follow industry trends, and attend workshops or courses.
Build a Portfolio: Showcase your best work in a portfolio. A strong portfolio is crucial for job applications or freelance opportunities.
Network: Connect with fellow animators, join forums, attend industry events, and build relationships. Networking opens doors to collaborations and opportunities.
Stay Inspired: Draw inspiration from various sources—movies, art, nature—to keep your creativity flowing.

Remember, becoming a master animator takes time and persistence. Stay passionate, open to learning, and embrace challenges as stepping stones to growth.

Types of Animation

Here’s an overview of various types of animation:

Traditional/Hand-drawn Animation: This classic method involves drawing individual frames by hand, usually on paper, and then sequencing them to create movement. Examples include Disney’s early animations.
2D Vector-Based Animation: Using digital tools, this technique employs geometric shapes and paths to create motion. It’s often used for web animations and explainer videos.
3D Computer Animation: Utilizing specialized software, this method involves creating three-dimensional objects and environments to animate. It’s widely used in films, games, and simulations.
Stop Motion Animation: This method involves photographing physical objects, such as clay models or puppets, in incremental movements. These frames are then stitched together to simulate motion.
Motion Graphics: A digital technique involving the manipulation of text and graphics to create animated visuals. It’s commonly used in advertising, title sequences, and presentations.
Claymation/Clay Animation: Objects made from modeling clay or similar materials are sculpted and manipulated to create animation. Famous examples include Wallace and Gromit.
Cutout Animation: Artists use flat characters or objects, often made of paper, and move them against a background. It’s a simpler form of animation, seen in some educational programs.
Pixilation: A stop-motion technique that uses real people or objects as individual frames to create surreal or comedic effects.

These varied types of animation cater to different creative needs and have distinct aesthetics and applications.

Principles of Animation

The principles of animation are foundational concepts crucial for creating compelling and believable motion in animated sequences. Here are some core principles:

Squash and Stretch: This principle adds flexibility and vitality to animated objects. It involves distorting shapes to convey movement or impact, such as squashing a ball upon impact.
Anticipation: Preparing the audience for an action by subtly indicating it beforehand. For instance, a character might crouch before jumping.
Staging: Directing the audience’s attention to the primary action or idea within a scene. It involves setting up the scene to communicate the most critical information effectively.
Follow Through and Overlapping Action: This principle involves elements continuing to move even after the primary action has stopped. For instance, a character’s hair might keep moving after they’ve turned their head.
Timing: The number of frames or duration allocated to actions, determining their speed and rhythm. It’s crucial for conveying weight, emotion, and realism.
Exaggeration: Enhancing actions beyond reality to make them more dynamic and expressive while still retaining their essence.
Solid Drawing: Creating the illusion of volume, weight, and form in animated characters or objects. It involves understanding three-dimensional space.
Appeal: Ensuring that characters and elements in animation are visually appealing, engaging, and interesting to the audience.

These principles, first outlined by Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, serve as a guide for animators to create more believable, captivating, and entertaining animations.

Animation Devices Used Earlier

Here are some of the animation devices used earlier:

Magic lantern: An early image projector using a light source to project images from glass slides onto a screen.
Thaumatrope: A toy with two sides that, when twirled, creates a combined image from both sides, showing an illusion of movement.
Phenakistoscope: A spinning disc with sequential images; when viewed through slits and spun, it creates the illusion of motion.
Zoetrope: A cylindrical device with slots for viewing still images inside; when spun, it gives the impression of animation.
Kineograph: A flipbook-style device allowing users to view sequential images in rapid succession, creating movement.
Praxinoscope: Similar to a zoetrope, using mirrors to reflect images placed around the inside of a spinning cylinder, creating animated sequences.

First Animated Movie

Émile Reynaud’s “Pauvre Pierrot” (1892) utilized a longer image roll for the praxinoscope, allowing for an extended viewing experience. It’s often cited as the earliest animated film due to Reynaud’s hand-painted roll of 500 individual images, although film historians debate this claim. Some argue that Émile Cohl’s “Fantasmagorie” (1908) is the first true animated movie, produced using traditional animation techniques.

J. Stuart Blackton’s “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces” (1906) is also considered by some as the animation industry’s pioneering film. Blackton employed stop-motion animation, showcasing a sequence of animated characters changing movements over its three-minute duration. Notably, it was the first animated film recorded on standard picture film, marking a technical milestone in the history of animation.

Courses to Learn Animation in 2024

Here’s a list of animation courses you might consider:

AAFT Online’s Diploma in 3D Animation and Visual Effects
Coursera’s Animation and CGI Motion Specialization
School of Motion’s Animation Bootcamp
iAnimate – Online Animation School
CG Spectrum’s Animation Course
Pluralsight’s Animation Training and Tutorials
Udemy’s Complete Blender Creator: Learn 3D Modelling for Beginners
Animschool – Online Animation School

These courses offer a variety of learning experiences, catering to different levels of expertise and covering various aspects of animation.

Conclusion

As we traverse the spectrum of animation’s evolution—from the enchanting origins of the magic lantern to the revolutionary films of Disney and beyond—learning about the history of animation enriches our understanding of this mesmerizing art form. These courses are not just gateways to acquire skill but also windows into the captivating journey that animation has traveled. Embrace these educational avenues to delve deeper into animation’s past, present, and the limitless creative possibilities it promises in the future.