12 Principles of Animation
10. Exaggeration
The 12 principles of animation are guidelines created by ex-Disney animators Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. They were made to teach animators how to create lifelike characters. This post will explain one principle.
Exaggeration is exactly what it sounds like. When animating, your instinct may be to strive for proportion and realism. But this isn’t always the best way to make things feel right. By exaggerating a movement or action, you can make actions stronger. So when a character punches someone, have them swing their arm way back before the punch. Make their fist grow larger for a frame or two on impact. Instead of the victim falling down, have him fly back from the attack. This sounds like it would be distracting and unrealistic, but it can really help to make actions more convincing. Sometimes we need some extra emphasis.
