Animation isn’t just about making drawings move—it’s about breathing life into imagination! Whether you’re crafting a bouncing ball or a fire-breathing dragon, there are a few magical ingredients that make animation truly pop. Timing and Spacing Think of timing as the rhythm of movement. A slow blink feels sleepy, while a rapid one feels surprised. Spacing controls how far things move between frames—tight spacing makes motion smooth, wide spacing adds punch. Together, they’re the heartbeat of animation! Squash and Stretch Ever seen a cartoon character’s face smoosh when they hit a wall? That’s squash and stretch! It adds elasticity and exaggeration, making characters feel alive and expressive. Even a bouncing ball looks more fun when it squashes on impact and stretches mid-air. Anticipation Before a character jumps, they crouch. That little prep move builds tension and tells the audience, “Something’s coming!” Anticipation makes actions feel natural and exciting—like winding up before a punch or a dramatic pause before a reveal. Exaggeration and Emotion Animation thrives on drama! A raised eyebrow, a jaw drop, a wild dance—go big or go home. Exaggeration helps convey emotion clearly and keeps viewers hooked. Subtlety works in live-action, but animation loves bold choices.

Appeal Characters should be visually interesting and easy to connect with. Whether it’s a goofy sidekick or a mysterious villain, appeal draws us in. It’s not just about being cute—it’s about design, personality, and charm.