List of 6 Types of Animation You Need to Know

Animation is a form of art and entertainment which combines a sequence of drawings, paintings, or photographs to create an illusion of movement. The word animation is derived from the Latin word anima which means “life” or “soul.” Animation is more than just putting drawings on paper. It’s about bringing a drawing to life and making it appear as if it were moving on its own. It’s about capturing the essence of movement and adding personality to objects or characters in a video. Animators use a variety of techniques that make the imaginary world seem real. Each of these methods is known as an animation technique, or simply an animation method, and they can be grouped into 6 categories.

The 6 Types of Animation are the Following:

Traditional Animation

Traditional animation is done by hand, providing entertainment in feature films, television shows, commercials, and promotional videos. The traditional method involves drawing or painting images that are then photographed and animated.

Example: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, and Fantasia are some of the prime examples of Traditional animation.

Stop-Motion Animation

Stop-motion animation is easier to describe than explain. It’s the process of filming an object or a person being moved in slo-mo (slow motion). The object is then drawn from successive still photographs.

Film directors, animators, and special effects artists employ this technique in their projects to create the illusion of movement.

It’s often used for puppet characters, action figures, and animals moving through the bush in wildlife documentaries. Stop-motion animation is mostly used for making models and puppets appear as if they’re really alive.

Example: The award-winning animated series, The PJs (The PJs) and the movie Chicken Run (Chicken Run) are prime examples of stop-motion animation.

Clay Animation

Clay animation, or claymation, is a process that combines a series of drawings done on separate flat surfaces with each photo being taken at a different angle.

Each separate drawing is placed in front of or behind an armature, which gives the sculpture-volume and allows it to be photographed in different positions.

As the scene is shot from different angles, it’s combined into one large image in post-production (after filming). The final product is then shown as a motion picture.

Example: The gumby show and Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-rabbit (2005) are the most famous examples.

Computer Animation

Computer animation is a process of generating images and animation using computer software and hardware. It has become more popular over the years, thanks to the development of advanced computer graphic techniques.

Examples: Computer-animated films include Shrek (Shrek), Antz (Ants), Toy Story (Toy Story), and The Incredibles (The Incredibles). Computer-animated shows include the Disney TV series Lilo & Stitch (Lilo & Stitch); Nickelodeon’s The Rugrats; and Cartoon Network’s Samurai Jack.

3D Animation

3D Animation brings digital objects to life by using special effects to create the illusion of depth. 3D animation is the most advanced form of computer animation, which can make objects appear to be moving, changing position, or appearing as if they are real. Here is the list of industries where animation has dominance.

For example, users can create movie scenes using 3D animation software. This process makes it possible for video makers to maneuver and animate digital scenes by using sophisticated computer software. The computer-animated hit film Shrek (Shrek) was made possible with this new technology.

2D Animation

2D animation refers to the creation of two-dimensional images that are animated to simulate motion. In traditional 2D animation, hand-drawn images are created on individual pieces of paper, which are then photographed and played back in sequence to create the illusion of movement.

With the advancement of digital technology, 2D animation is now often created using specialized software that allows artists to draw and manipulate images directly on a computer.

This process can involve creating vector graphics, which are made up of geometric shapes and lines, or bitmap graphics, which are made up of pixels. 2D animation is used in a variety of mediums, including television shows, movies, video games, and advertisements.

It can be used to create a range of visual styles, from realistic to highly stylized or cartoony, and can be combined with other animation techniques, such as 3D animation or stop-motion animation, to create unique effects.

Examples: Some popular 2D animations are The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, Rick, and Morty, etc.

Is animation as a career option prosperous?

Yes, animation can be a prosperous career option for those with a passion for the field and the skills needed to succeed. The animation industry has grown rapidly in recent years, with increasing demand for animated content in movies, TV shows, video games, and advertising.

A career in animation can offer opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and growth. Animators can work in a variety of roles, such as character design, storyboarding, animation production, and visual effects. Salaries in the industry can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, location, and specialization, but many animators can earn a comfortable living.

To succeed in the animation industry, it’s important to have a strong portfolio of work, excellent technical skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with others. Pursuing formal education in animation with the assistance of animation courses in Kolkata can also be beneficial in building the necessary skills and connections to succeed in the industry.