Pick a range of different animations and try to identify how they have been made. Are they digitally created or do they use claymation, live action or a combination of technologies? You may want to do this historically, picking animations that chart its development, or aesthetically by choosing animations that interest you.
Can you identify examples of illustrators being inventive with the technological limitations they have available to them? Can you find examples of illustrators who are pushing the boundaries, finding new ways of working?
Animation can be broken down into five different categories:
- Traditional or Cel Animation
- 2D Animation
- 3D Animation
- Stop Motion Animation
- Motion Graphics
Traditional Animation
Traditional animation is most often associated with Disney films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1938) and The Lion King (1994), and is also known as cel animation. Each frame in traditional animation is drawn by hand, with registration marks added to each sheet for alignment purposes. These drawings are usually then traced or photocopied onto clear acetate sheets, onto which paint is applied to add colour. Finally, each sheet is photographed and can then be run as an animated sequence.
2D Animation
2D animation, also know as vector-based animation, is a modern version of traditional animation in which digital tools can be used to reduce a production’s cost and time. An example of this would be the computer programme filling in between ‘key frames’, rather than an animator having to meticulously draw each one, reducing the amount of input required in terms of time and effort. Vector-based applications such as Adobe Animate and Flash are popular tools for creating 2D animations. This kind of animation is popular with TV series that require a fast turnaround.
3D Animation
Also know as Computer Generated Imagery (CGI), 3D animation involves the building of three dimensional models, such as characters or objects, in digital world. Textures can be added to these models, which are then rigged and weight is added, allowing them to be manipulated and moved in realistic ways.
Lighting and cameras can be set up within the scene, much like on a real life film set, giving the team complete control over every aspect of the production. Once the animation has been ‘recorded’ within the scene, it is rendered by the computer software as a series of stills, which can be a timely process (depending on the capability of the computer’s processor), and then compiled as an animated sequence.
Well known examples of 3D animation include the Pixar films, such as Toy Story (1995), which is often credited with setting the bar in terms of quality for this form of animation, and, more recently, Soul (2020).
Stop Motion
Stop-motion animation is created by photographing an object/character, usually made from modelling clay or a puppet, which is incrementally moved in each shot. The models usually have an inner ‘skeleton’ or armature, with movable joints so they can be manipulated. As with traditional animation, stop-motion is a very time-consuming process, but when the images are compiled and played in an animated sequence, the results make it worthwhile.
Well known examples of stop motion animation include Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1994) and Aardman’s Wallace and Gromit films.
Motion Graphics
Motion graphics is different from the previous forms of animation in that it tends to be focused on graphic design and is often text-based. It is an important tool for digital marketing and examples of this form of animation are plentiful online. Motion graphics are key elements on social media and web pages, for example as loading pages or transitions. Motion graphics are also popular choices for adverts or title sequences in films and television shows.
Selection of Animations
I selected three different animations, from countless options, that particularly appeal to me in terms of both aesthetics and narrative.
Yes People (2020)
This animated short, created by Gísli Darri Halldórsson, was nominated for an Oscar in 2021. It focuses on three different households within one apartment block in Iceland. It covers an average day showing their everyday frustrations and little joys as we follow their daily routines. With one exception, the only dialogue that the character’s use is já (along with regular sighs). This expression has various meanings in Iceland depending on the context of the situation in which it is used, and the tone used.
Halldórsson began to think of the concept for this animation in 2012 when he saw some photos from the 1970s that his father owned. It took eight years for him to complete the piece as he worked on it in-between other jobs. Much of the time was spent on storyboarding and planning. He was interested in creating a contrast between the cartoon style characters and the rather sober backgrounds (which are, in fact, his father’s photographs).
Halldórsson used Maya to create the characters, lighting and animation. He then used After Effects to composite this with the photographs, which I still find mind-boggling as I did not even realise the backgrounds were photographs at first. The animation was finalised in Adobe Premiere Pro.
I particularly like the design style of this animation, the combination of the the characters and the background are really striking. I also was drawn to the limited use of dialogue, and the use of humour whilst also being quite poignant and relatable. I felt Halldórsson has captured the essence of the characters perfectly.
Affairs of the Art (2021)
Another Oscar nominated animated short, Affairs of the Art (2021) by Beryl Productions (a.k.a. Joanna Quinn and Les Mills), features the character Beryl and her quirky family. Affairs of the Art is traditional animation, with each frame drawn by hand. I felt this animation to be the perfect example of how worthwhile the time and effort involved with this form can be. The quality of the film is so impressive and the hand drawn aspect adds character and is well suited to the storyline.
Joanna Quinn outlines the process for creating the animation in a Youtube video, which can be summarised as:
- Script (written by Les Mills)
- Storyboard
- Animatic
- Key drawings
- Lip syncing
- Rough animation
- Clean up
- Colour added
I was quite in awe of the drawing skills of Quinn and these are showcased perfectly in the form of traditional animation. This reminded me of the draftsmanship of the early Disney artists/animators, as they were/are clearly ‘experts’ at drawing from life (e.g. having an excellent knowledge of anatomy, expressions and able to capture movement) and able to translate this into animation.
Source: Youtube.
Snore (2022)
I came across Waaber, or Rich Webber, via Instagram and I instantly became a fan of his short animations (and photos) featuring little clay creatures. I have since discovered Webber is connected to Aardman and so the style and quality of his work made perfect sense. I just find his characters so endearing and I like the simplicity of the animation storylines.
For no particular reason I selected Snore (2022) as an example of what Waaber has on offer via his YouTube channel. This clip actually ends with a very short time-lapse showing the process of making the animation.
The models are made from modelling clay, probably plasticine, and Webber sets them up on a white surface (with a matching background). He photographs the models, manipulating them between each shot. Once the entire sequence has been photographed, Waaber can collate the images on his computer to create the animated result.
Summary
I found this Research Point to be the perfect opportunity to take a moment and clarify the different forms of animation in my mind. I also enjoyed taking a deeper look at the process behind creating the selection of animations, which have made an impression on me.
I am very keen to learn more about animation as it is such an excellent form of creative expression. The possibilities are only really limited by your imagination. I am most interested in using animation to tell stories, as demonstrated by the examples I chose.
Bibiliography
Bacon, R. (n.d.) ‘Yes-People’ by Gísli Darri Halldórsson. Oscar Nominated Animation. Available at: https://directorsnotes.com/2021/04/14/gisli-darri-halldorsson-yes-people/ (Accessed 24 June 2023).
BerylProductions (2022) Affairs of the Art. Behind the scenes – From Script to Screen in 5 minutes! Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHZFuURSuFg (Accessed 24 June 2023).
Creative Boom (n.d.) 20 brilliant motion designers whose work you can’t miss. Available at: https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/20-motion-designers-and-animators-whose-work-you-cant-miss/ (Accessed 23 June 2023).
Ellis, M. (2019) What is animation: a guide to its history and modern use in design. Available at: https://99designs.com/blog/video-animation/what-is-animation/ (Accessed 23 June 2023).
Kehr, D. (1998) Animation: History, Movies, Television, & Facts. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/art/animation (Accessed 23 June 2023).
National Science and Media Museum (2009) Joanna Quinn: How I Animate. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWfVEdbvdoE (Accessed 24 June 2023).
Rexroat, K. (2021) In “Yes-People”, a Single Syllable Conveys Worlds of Meaning. Available at: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/screening-room/in-yes-people-a-single-syllable-conveys-worlds-of-meaning (Accessed 24 June 2023).
Robinson, C. (2022) Commentary: It’s Not Just The Beginning – Animation Has Always Pushed Boundaries. Available at: https://www.cartoonbrew.com/ideas-commentary/commentary-its-not-just-the-beginning-animation-has-always-pushed-boundaries-214557.html (Accessed 23 June 2023).
Siddiqua, M (2016) Creative Loading Animations You Can’t Take Your Eyes Off. Available at: https://www.zilliondesigns.com/blog/creative-loading-animations/ (Accessed 23 June 2023).
Tate (n.d.) Animation. Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/a/animation (Accessed 23 June 2023).
The New Yorker (2021) 2021 Oscar-Nominated Short: “Yes-People”. The Screening Room. The New Yorker. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaTkL825NQM (Accessed 24 June 2023).
Thomas, C. (2021) Top 5 types of animation styles. Available at: https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/short-courses/stories/top-5-types-of-animation-styles (Accessed).
Victor, B. (n.d.) Top 30 Animators That Really Know Their Stuff. Available at: https://sageanimation.com/top-30-animators/ (Accessed 23 June 2023)..
Waaber (2022) Snore – Stopmotion Animation. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNQqGe6rrDI (Accessed 24 June 2023).
Wikipedia (n.d.) Affairs of the Art. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affairs_of_the_Art (Accessed 24 June 2023).