5 Types of Animation Styles Everyone Should Know About

Animation is the art of bringing still images to life and conveying a message. Animators need to employ a series of animation styles in order to create exciting sequences that create an illusion of movement.

If you are someone who is looking to build a career in the animation industry, you can take a look at our blog and we will help you with different animation styles that you can excel to embark on a successful animation career.

5 Types Of Animation Styles:

There are a plethora of animation styles but most of them can be categorised under the following 5 techniques:

1. Traditional Animation
2. 2D Animation
3. 3D Animation
4. Stop Motion
5. Motion Graphics

Let’s discuss the above animation styles in detail:

1. Traditional Animation

One of the oldest types of animation is traditional animation which is also called cel animation. In this animation style, the animator is required to create every single animation with his hands on a piece of paper frame by frame. It is then retraced or photocopied on a transparent acetate sheet called the cel.

Many famous companies like Walt Disney used the cel animation. Even now, cel animation is not completely obsolete and some animators still make use of them using computers with special tablets.

2. 2D Animation

2D animation is one of the most used animation styles all around the world and utilises vector-based imagery. In place of utilising traditional animation, animators now make use of 2D animation. Creating animations digitally rather than sketching frame by frame saves them time and effort.

This type of animation technique provides a good base for beginners who are new to the art of animation. It also provides them with flexibility as they do not have to rely heavily upon hand drawing everything.

3. 3D Animation

3D animation also known as computer animation is a process of creating moving images in 3 dimensions in a digital environment. 3D animation is produced in 3 stages.

The first is the modeling stage where using specific tools the objects and characters are created. Post that comes the layout and animation stage which focuses on the setting in the background. Lastly, by engaging with computer calculations and making use of specialised software the finished image is made.

4. Stop Motion

Stop motion is another animation style technique that is similar to traditional animation, the difference being that it employs actual images of characters and objects captured by a professional camera.

Frame-by-frame pictures are captured while moving the characters and objects which are put together towards the end creating an illusion of motion.

Stop motion was in much trend before 3D animation as it was the only way to give out motion effects but now with the advancement of technology, it is much easier to get the motion effect.

5. Motion Graphics

It is a type of animation that employs texts as a means of conveying the message. Shapes, texts, and objects are set in motion to display the meaning.

Motion graphics are used for very specific needs where you want to highlight something specific, such as the development of a video’s titles, and its logo. It can also be used for digital marketing strategies and social media applications.

Kickstart Your Animation Career With Whistling Woods International

Now that you are well-acquainted with the theoretical knowledge of the different animation styles, it is time you get them into practice. With Whistling Woods International (WWI), an animation school in India you can practice your knowledge while building your career in animation design.

Animation course in India provided by WWI:

• BDes in Animation | (4 Years

Their animation school in India offers concentrations in all these different types of animation:

1. 2D Animation
2. 3D Animation
3. Stop-motion Animation
4. Comics
5. Game Design
6. Motion Graphics and
7. Previsualisation

The core subjects offered by them impart a strong understanding of design and writing for animation, and writing for comics; gameplay, prototyping, and testing.

Therefore, if you are someone looking to build a career in animation, you can definitely consider Whistling Woods International and check out their website for more information about the courses that they offer.