Animation is everywhere—from the cartoons you grew up watching on Saturday mornings to the eye-catching visuals in mobile apps and websites today. It’s no longer just a format reserved for entertainment but a powerful tool for communication, storytelling, and user experience design.
If you’ve been curious about how to get started in animation, this guide will walk you through the basics. You’ll learn about the types of animation, the tools you can use, and practical tips to begin your animation journey. By the end, you’ll have a solid foundation to turn your creative ideas into motion.
What Animation Is and Why It Matters
Animation is the process of giving life to still images by making them move. Whether it’s a bouncing ball or an emotionally expressive character, animation can captivate an audience and deliver messages in unique ways. It’s widely used in industries such as entertainment, advertising, gaming, and even education to engage viewers and communicate more effectively.
Why learn animation?
For beginners, learning animation offers several exciting benefits, including:
- Unleashing creativity – Animation allows you to visualize and bring your imaginative ideas to life.
- High demand for skills – Industries like gaming, advertising, and UX design are thirsting for animation pros.
- Endless career possibilities – From 2D character design to animating 3D game graphics, there’s no shortage of opportunities.
By understanding animation basics, you can create compelling content whether you’re a budding YouTuber, a marketing professional, or just someone exploring a new hobby.
Types of Animation Every Beginner Should Know
Before you begin animating, it’s crucial to understand the major types of animation. This will help you pick the style that aligns with your goals.
1. 2D Animation
2D animation involves creating flat, two-dimensional characters or objects and moving them in a sequence. Examples include traditional hand-drawn cartoons or modern digital animations like those produced with Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony.
Best for: Beginners, short explainer videos, or creative storytelling.
2. 3D Animation
A more advanced format, 3D animation creates lifelike, three-dimensional characters and environments. This requires the use of sophisticated software like Blender, Maya, or Cinema 4D.
Best for: Gaming, movies, and VR/AR projects where realism is key.
3. Stop Motion
Stop motion involves arranging physical objects (e.g., puppets, clay figures, or paper cutouts) and capturing frame-by-frame photos to simulate movement. It’s a hands-on process that requires patience but offers unique results.
Best for: Quirky, handmade-looking animations like “Wallace and Gromit.”
4. Motion Graphics
Often used in marketing and web design, motion graphics are animated graphic designs, text, or abstract elements. Tools like After Effects make it easy to create sleek animations for logos, advertisements, or explainer videos.
Best for: Professionals looking to enhance presentations or social ads.
5. Traditional Hand-Drawn Animation
This is animation in its purest, most classic form, where artists draw each frame by hand. Though time-intensive, it remains an iconic medium revered for its artistic authenticity.
Best for: Artists who love organic, old-school craftsmanship.
Tools and Software for Animation Beginners
The right tools can make starting your animation adventure much less intimidating. Here’s a breakdown of popular beginner-friendly software.
Free Tools
- Blender – A professional-grade open-source tool for 3D animation and modeling.
- Krita – Ideal for 2D animation, offering intuitive animation features for free.
- Synfig Studio – Open-source 2D animation software suitable for beginners and professionals alike.
Paid Tools
- Adobe Animate – Perfect for 2D animations and vector-based animation projects.
- Toon Boom Harmony – A favorite for professionals in the entertainment industry.
- Autodesk Maya – Industry-standard software for complex 3D animations.
If you’re just getting started, stick to free tools. Once you feel confident, you can explore paid options to unlock more advanced features.
How to Start Animating in Six Steps
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make your first animation.
Step 1 Define Your Objective
Know what you want to achieve. Is it a short 10-second clip for social media? A simple character design? Start small and focus on honing one concept at a time.
Step 2 Create a Storyboard
A storyboard is a visual script that outlines each frame in your animation. It helps organize your ideas and ensures you have a clear direction.
Step 3 Choose the Right Tools
Based on your goals, select an animation software. If your goal is to try motion graphics, look into After Effects. For 2D digital art, try Krita or Adobe Animate.
Step 4 Perfect Timing and Frames
Animation timing is crucial. The number of frames per second (FPS) determines how smooth your animation will be.
- 12 FPS – For a slower, more stylized look.
- 24 FPS – The cinematic standard for smooth motion.
Step 5 Add Details
Once you have basic movements, refine your animation with textures, shadows, and effects. This polishes your work and adds visual appeal.
Step 6 Export and Share
Congrats, you’ve created your first animation! Export your file in the preferred format (e.g., MP4 or GIF) and share it with friends, social media, or online communities for feedback.
Tips for Aspiring Animators
Animation can seem daunting at first, but these tips will help keep you motivated as you learn.
- Start simple – A bouncing ball is challenging enough for first-timers. Progress toward complex projects gradually.
- Learn the principles – Research “The 12 Principles of Animation” by Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas. They’re the gold standard for creating lifelike animations.
- Practice daily – Set aside 30 minutes a day for animation practice to build skills steadily.
- Join communities – Platforms like Reddit (r/learnanimation), Discord, and local meetups are great for support and feedback.
Animation Is the Future of Storytelling
Animation is a versatile, impactful medium that can breathe life into any story, brand, or idea. By learning its fundamentals and starting small, you can join the ranks of those shaping digital and creative industries worldwide.
Whether you want to impress your social media followers or build a career in entertainment, the world of animation is just a click away at DMP. With today’s tools and resources, you can make incredible progress from the comfort of your own home.
So, why wait? Open your favorite animation software, and start bringing your ideas to life!
