02 - April - 2023
Despite being frequently perceived as a contemporary media, animation has been utilized since 1906 in a variety of ways! Throughout the past century, we have utilized it to amuse people, spread propaganda, and convey moving stories.
From live-action CGI blockbusters like Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse to well-known YouTube animators like Jaiden Animations, animation has emerged as a prominent storytelling format that has influenced the modern world.
But the question is “what makes a good animation”. Let’s find out.
First Things first: What Is Animation?
Without knowing what animation is, you just can't decide how to animate well. In a broader sense, animation is a technique that involves manipulating figures to make them appear to be moving pictures.
Traditional animation uses hand-painted or drawn graphics on transparent celluloid sheets, making it possible to capture and display the process on sales videos. The majority of animations created today use computer-generated graphics (CGI).
Related: The role of animated videos in brand awareness
Importance of Creating a Good Animation
Animated videos enable you to express ideas clearly and rapidly. A less expensive communication tactic is animation.
While entertaining the audience, it teaches & engages them. Also, it gives a variety of other tasks as well as real-world circumstances encountered while studying.
What Makes a Good Animation: Elements of An Animated Video
It is obvious that you have many people to please. Yet, excellent animations do exist. As you are aware. You've witnessed them. You too can have one!
Understanding the criteria that each of your stakeholder groups uses to assess an animation's quality is the first step. Fantastic animation features a combination of these elements in a way that will satisfy the creatives, strategists, and audience expectations.
The following main elements are the basics of animation, and they make an animated video outstanding:
Storytelling
Animation is a form of communication, and that message needs to be organized so that viewers may comprehend its main point.
Think of animation as a tiny movie with tension and release, a plot arc, and a finale, regardless of how straightforward or brief the point you're trying to make. This will make sure that each animation makes sense and is interesting.
A button that "jumps" down and then abruptly stops cannot express importance or weight, while a button that slides down and bounces before settling can.
People won't be able to interact with a tale if it is difficult to understand; a story should be something that people can easily identify with.
A Good Animation Connects You to The Audience Within Seconds 
People are emotional creatures. We all want to have fun, and animation is a terrific way to satisfy that desire.
Animation, which can range from straightforward utilitarian animation (such as a flashing cursor) to enjoyable, ridiculous, and extravagant transitions, is if there is one place where you can express to your user that "I care about you," it is in animation.
The user's perspective of how much you want them to love the experience will depend on how you strike a balance between the three guidelines mentioned earlier and your objective to create a fun, beloved, and memorable experience.
Incorporate Secondary Action
Any movements that assist the primary movement and give the scene greater depth are referred to as secondary actions. Try including some supplementary action if your animations seem bland.
Make It Sharp
No matter how well-developed your tale is, if it can't be told in the allotted 50 seconds, it will be useless. The ideal number of cuts for your story is around 20.
In order to establish the tone and express the mood of a scene, animation also needs to use color and lighting.
Moreover, pastel colors will convey a light, joyous tone, strong, dark colors will describe a terror or serious situation, and washed-out colors will depict a dreary, depressing picture.
The audience's mood will be impacted by the color scheme because various hues are linked to certain emotions. Any animation story will be highlighted by using distinct color palettes for different scenes.
Act Uniquely
Your video should be distinctive. Choose a visual style that is unique to you and your company rather than a template-based video that resembles thousands of others.
Ask your video provider if the artwork was created specifically for you and is original. Even if it might cost a little more, this is totally worth it.
Timing and Pacing
Pay keen attention to the animation principle of timing if you're unsure how to animate smoothly. Timing refers to the number of frames your action requires and the spacing between those frames.
You can change an animation's appearance of speed, weight, and smoothness by modifying the number of frames. An animation should often have a variety of timing to feel fascinating and lively.
Sound Effects
A musical score and sound effects may be crucial. When used properly, sound effects can enhance the images, but when used improperly, they can produce undesirable effects.
For this competition, all music must be your own original composition.
Begin Strong, End Strong
Don’t spend too much time setting up a video because the first five seconds are crucial. Take immediate action. Be captivating both visually and in your writing.
If viewers are not piqued in the first five seconds, they are likely to stop watching. Give the audience a clear call to action at the end of your presentation to seal the deal.
What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating an Animation?
Now you know what makes a good animated video. However, it's crucial to comprehend how animation might go wrong. The following six animation plot blunders must be avoided at all costs:
Ignoring the purpose
Whatever you produce should have a clear purpose, especially animated commercials and other types of business content.
Excessive animated scenes
First and foremost, animators should be mindful not to over-animate their scenes.
Deviation from brand
Keep your thoughts concentrated on the corporate tone and brand messaging.
Variability between cuts
It is essential to have flawless editing and fluid transitions without degrading the video sensation.
Including offensive music or sound
Verify that your audio is effective, along with any other effects that may have been employed.
Not allowing enough time to process it
An effective animation is always timed. Maintain the beat and make sure the pace of your scene is comfortable for the human eye.
FAQs
What Is the Most Important Thing in Animation?
Out of the 12 rules of animation, the squash and stretch rule is regarded as being the most crucial. When used, it creates the impression of gravity, weight, mass, and flexibility in your animated figures and objects.
It's crucial to maintain the object's volume consistency while employing the squash and stretch operations. In order to stretch something, it must get thinner, and to squash something, it must become wider.
What Software Is Commonly Used for Animation?
Visme, Adobe Animate, Pencil2D, Adobe Character Animator, Biteable, and Animaker are some of the best animation programs available.
Do I Need to Be a Great Artist to Create Good Animations?
There's no need to believe that you can't be a great animator if you're not the finest artist since that's simply not the case.
Understanding how to produce believable and appealing movements while bringing characters to life is the key to successful animation. Drawing skills won't directly influence 3D animation.
How Long Does It Take to Create an Animation?
An animation that lasts 60 to 90 seconds typically takes 8 to 10 weeks to complete. The amount of time required greatly relies on the type of animation you want to utilize.
For instance, basic motion graphics animations will go considerably more quickly than complicated frame-by-frame animation.
Can Animations Be Used for Business or Marketing Purposes?
Yes, a brand can use animation to effectively and aesthetically teach difficult concepts or convey a straightforward message.
The use of animation in your marketing plan may be done in a variety of ways, from including it on your website to including a little brand animation in an email campaign.
What Is the Difference Between 2D And 3D Animation?
The main difference between 2D and 3D animation is that: vectors—pathways with start and end points connected by lines—are used in 2D animation in place of pixels. Characters and environments are three-dimensional in 3D animation.
In order to give things weight and time, animators use pixels. Occasionally tangible objects in the real world are scanned to develop blueprints.
How Do I Know Which Animation Style Is Best for My Project?
Sometimes the simplest solutions work the best. Animations used in screencasts are a fantastic illustration of this. It allows you to make entertaining, interesting, and educational videos out of screen screenshots.
Using screenshots of software or services in use, this is mostly used to demonstrate how software user interfaces work.
What Is the Main Goal of Animation?
Animation is primarily used for amusement. The internet, your phones, and the television all employ animation. Animation is frequently employed on television to keep kids entertained for extended periods of time since it provides them with something to smile about.
Getting Amazing Animation Is Only One Step Away!
Greatness is mostly arbitrary, if not abstract. But your requirement for an animation that has a good effect on your business (or the business of your client) is quite genuine. After all, we're not just doing animations for the sake of it.
The animation's rhythm and pacing will keep the viewer's interest at all times; the aesthetics will compel your customers to push play; and a message that will resonate with your audience will ensure a memorable experience.
By identifying the technical considerations, KPIs, and audience impressions that affect an animation's quality, a successful end result takes into account the preference of every brand’s niche. That’s what makes a good animation!
Are you looking to create eye-catching brand videos that grab your audience's attention? Look no further! Our team specializes in creating animated brand videos that are sure to make an impact. Contact us today to learn more and take your brand to the next level.
