Animation Ideas for Beginners with Examples
Sometimes when you look at certain discoveries and innovations, like animation methods, techniques, and art styles, don’t your mind ponder upon particular thoughts & ideas and how did they initiate?
Well, we humans occupy thinking tendencies thereby helping us to initiate or produce something new out of the box.
Talking about ideas without mentioning technology, can be quite unjust. Undoubtedly, the development of today has contributed remarkably to converting our ideas into reality. However, it is the advancement that has opened further ways of development and provided us with ways for creative thinking and extraordinary ideas.
Despite significant progress in technology and mechanization, it’s not always easy to know how to visualize or animate something. Although, several practical techniques can come in handy to progress through in making your creative ideas into possibilities.
What is the meaning of Animation?
Animation is the simulation of movement produced by a collection of images. If you are just getting started learning and wants to seek guidance on simple animation ideas, creativity, and brainstorming.
You are in the right place! Several pieces have come together to create great ideas for animation, from illustration skills to creating a simple animated character.
To Get Animation Ideas for Your Scenes & Videos?
Ever heard of the phrase, “everything begins with an idea?” Think beyond the borders, now is your moment to shine. Go for the full potential of how creative you can be.
If you are still struggling or confused with your area of the domain, below are the steps that can assist you.
1. Idea Generation (Project Kickoff Meeting)
Idea generation is referred to as the process of creating, developing, and communicating ideas that are abstract, concrete, or visual in nature. It is a collective process combining various other techniques including the process of constructing through the idea, innovating the concept, developing the process, and bringing the concept to reality.
Although you might already have an idea or begin outlining and writing certain scenes as soon as an idea occurs to you, providing too much detail will hinder subsequent development. The fundamental idea is sufficient at this point.
Apparently, at this stage, it is important to have a clear idea of your goals and what the end product should look like. However, at the end of this stage, you should be able to answer the following questions.
- What is the nature of your video?
- What would the viewer learn from your video?
- What type of art style should be used?
- How long should be the duration of the video?
- Which platform should be suitable for this video to be shared or distributed?
- Who is your target audience?
Preparing yourself and answering the above questions will help you in getting started effectively and smoothly planning out the entire project.
2.Textual (Script writing)
There is a famous saying “once you crack the script, everything else follows”. The scripts are one of the most critical elements of any animated art or video. Keep in mind that effective animated productions should be concise, comprehensive, and easily digestible.
However, making them colorful or giving them a textured background, different shapes or sizes might give them a new look.
For creating an animated video, it is vital component to add any possible visual or audible elements to reach your audience. To convey a message as simply as possible and successfully pass it along, script every word and perform numerous revisions. Make sure you write in a clear, conversational style that your target audience will comprehend.
Writing scripts is an art, here’s an example you might learn from. IdeasAnimation have done a 2D animation project named Story of Two Twins. It is a 5 minute long animated video. The animator has divided this video script into 18 modules within various scenes.
3. Competitors Research (Stealing Great Ideas)
To watch other creators animate is a great source of inspiration. It provides you with new ideas and how to divide up, how to transition between scenes, and how to design scenes that are aesthetically pleasing for the eye.
Going above and beyond what everyone else is doing is the greatest approach to being successful with animation. It’s just not about cheating but at times, some things can inspire you or embark you with several other ideas of your own.
You will always succeed if you are willing to learn more about a topic. Examine the topics that your rivals are writing about. What topics are they covering? How frequently do they add new content to the blog?
When you see your competitors’ videos, open your mind and observe each note effectively. When you see your competitor’s videos what would you like to note: how to transition between scenes, and how to design scenes that are aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
4. Conceptual (Story Creation)
Conceptual scenes usually comprises of simple background and few animated assets including music, voiceovers, special effect, 2D and 3D models. It is also called story creation, when you have a brilliant idea, construct a tale, and turn it into a script.
A story creation serves as a visual guide for the rest of the animation art styles and process and is essentially a collection of illustrations based on the narrative.
Generally speaking, a storyboard has three key areas of information:
- The order in which scenes in a tale are presented
- What the spectator hears or sees on the screen.
- The technical data offered for every scene.
A story creation typically includes early concepts for camera placement, transitions, potential visual effects to enhance each shot, audio notes, and certain major character poses or scene events.
To learn more check out the video, Story of Two Twins, and see how elements, transitions and scenes have been enhanced and sequenced with perfection.
5. Environmental (Ideas for visuals)
These environmental scenarios are excellent for presenting stories, discussing people, or just when you are stuck for concepts for powerful conceptual scenes. These are scenes that depict a context-specific setting with individuals doing something, such as walking down the street, relaxing on a park seat, working in an office, etc.
You may know, animators and screenwriters are frequently pictured sitting in a natural setting and taking in the beauty of the landscape. This process works as an animated idea generator. Surprisingly, after visiting the environment, they come up with original animation ideas, new animation styles, and ideas for 3D art.
Environmental scenes can help when you don’t have a brilliant idea, when you don’t have a lot of time to fully develop your scene idea, or when you can’t cognitively visualize complex language. It restricts your alternatives and makes it simpler to generate a specific, visual notion by forcing you to think inside one of these boxes.
6. Sketch on Paper (Storyboarding)
Using pen and paper might sound simple. But stay with me here. It is not as easy as it looks. This process of sketching and drawing is usually done to get ideas out of paper. A sketch on paper is also called a storyboard. It is just a collection of images with notes added that are based on a script or plot idea. The finished storyboard serves as a visual reference during the creation of the finished animated videos.
Each illustration used in a story serves as a keyframe or a picture that indicates the beginning or conclusion of a transition. You can use this visual series of shots as a starting point for how they should animate the ideas. It will be simpler for you to begin production if a storyboard contains more information. When you are done, throw the pen down and quickly move the idea into my animation tool.
Why is it so important?
The importance of this stage increases when you are working with a client. The storyboard is necessary since a narrative cannot adequately convey an animation’s style. Consider your color scheme, beautiful animated film characters, designs, and backdrops at this phase.
However, if you’re still unsure of where to go, it can be good to compile inspirational photographs in a lovely mood board before beginning your storyboard. Here are animation tips, make a list of everything you need to draw based on your screenplay.
7. Animation (Compositing & Color Effects)
When you start the production stage, you usually start with animation. Just planning took place in the earlier rounds, and this stage will tie everything together.
The key animation, animation background layout, animation lighting, animation sound design, dialogue recording, and animation color correction and color grading are some of the procedures included in this animation production phase.
The following Story of Two Twins Video is a flawless example of animation, transitions, dialogue recording and how clips are profoundly sequenced. Have a look at the video.
Do you become impatient and insist on sticking with your original vision, or do you give up and allow yourself to be inspired by what is already there?
There are a majority of animation programs that provide a template or asset library where you can seek ideas. You might have repeatedly heard the animation terms “color correction” and “color grading”. More often than not, you’ll see “color correction” used when they mean color grading, and sometimes you’ll see it the other way around. What’s the difference?
To put it simple, color correction basically solves/corrects the problem while color grading complies with amending color and contrast for a better artistic choice.
Top Qualities of a Great Animator
An animator gets to give fictional simple animated characters life, making concepts come to life so that others might enjoy them. Animation, however, demands ability and skill, whether it’s making characters for a new Barbie film or action scenes for a Transformers series.
A few key competencies are required for anyone who wants to pursue a successful animation career. Below are the abilities and the educational prerequisites for animation.
1. Educational Credentials
A degree and several qualifications in the use of significant and modern software tools are frequently held by visual and 2D & 3D animators. Animator students can gain a general understanding of the design sector through design programs at prestigious universities before specializing in animation, advertising, or other fields. Certificates attesting to your proficiency with critical programs like Adobe Creative Suite, Modo, Softimage, or AutoCAD are crucial when you’re just starting or working as a freelancer.
2. Determination, Passion, and Curiosity
Keep your concentration; it’s only a matter of time. Although it may be easier said than done, keep in mind that learning, growing, and practicing never stop. Your mind needs nourishment, therefore give it nice things whenever you can. Curiosity is also referred to as improvement and is one of our fundamental beliefs. There’s constantly more to discover. When you’re having trouble, try to change your perspective to find new ideas.
3. Creativity and Imagination
You must, of course, be imaginative. Most people nowadays can manipulate 2D animation art forms, 2D animated films, and photographs thanks to modern software, but only artists can give their animations color theory, perspective, shading expertise, and intuitive motion. If you’re considering applying to animation schools, look for a programmed that offers project management abilities, workplace skill development, and software training.
4. Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is one of the most visible qualities of a competent animator. A good animator won’t submit only passable work. To make sure that the animation is flawless, they take extra care and go above and beyond, and it is evident in their work.
The capacity to pay attention to even the smallest aspects of one’s surroundings is what enables animators to mimic them in their animated art creations.
For example, an animator who is naturally fascinated about all aspects of their environment will have a bigger knowledge base to draw from when creating an animated world that viewers who want to see the same kind of details played out on their screens will find plausible.
5. Drawing Skills
Professional designers and animators are anticipated to possess a great grasp of drawing and art. Precision in design is essential since an excellent animator is regarded for the high-quality designs they produce.
6. Computer Literacy and Familiarity with Graphics Software
Technical proficiency is the most crucial talent for an animation artist to possess. These are useful abilities that work in tandem with your artistic and creative talents to bring each beautiful animated film character to life. You will utilize these as your starting point and main techniques throughout your career in animation.
The ability to use a computer is equally crucial. The majority of multimedia artists and animators use the best computer for animation. They consist of applications like Maya, 3D Studio Max, Adobe Flash, etc.
7. Patience and Ability to meet deadlines and Work as part of a team
A skilled animator will have the patience to spend several hours at their desk and produce only some standout frames, which their Art Director might even reject. The most time-consuming, difficult, and ultimately most satisfying profession is the traditional animation process. After all, animation has 24 frames per second!
A talent for sketching and drawing is essential for a superb multimedia animator; while not strictly compulsory, it is incredibly useful, especially in this line of work. It is crucial to comprehend visual communication and have the ability to convey a story through it.
Did you know?
The Lion King’s two-and-a-half-minute-long wild beast rush took about three years to produce. Amazing, isn’t it?
8. Communication and Presentation Skills
An animator’s work is not done in isolation. They collaborate on the movie, series, or game with a variety of various departments. Take the case where you are working on a lengthy animation scene. A different person animated each of the sequences. Everyone must speak with one another to make it appear as though a single individual created the entire scene.
Therefore, effective and trustworthy communication is the next necessary talent for an animation artist. You should be able to succinctly communicate your ideas or worries to others.
Animation Reference Sites — Best Source to Get Ideas for Animation
You may access several useful websites and see what other talented people are working on with just a few keystrokes. Even if your original ideas for animation and creativity are unsurpassed, it doesn’t hurt to draw some inspiration from other people’s work. The following list includes some of the top resources for both aspiring and seasoned animators.
1. Behance
Behance, which is owned by Adobe, is likely the most comprehensive online collection of curated design ideas. It offers a very diverse range of topics. Not only will you be able to get some of the best inspiration from the world’s top artists, but you’ll also have access to educational video content and a jobs board area. For many artists, this really may be a one-stop shop. Behance may be your best option if you’re seeking for a more expert venue to display your work or looking for ideas for animation.
2. ArtStation
For sharing their work, animators and illustrators have long relied on ArtStation. Users can post their portfolios and works of art on the platform with their tags to showcase their talent. ArtStation is user-friendly and does not submit certain sorts of artwork according to their guidelines. These artworks mainly include graphic or extremely frightening visuals and pornographic content.
3. Dribble
Dribble is owned by its parent firm, Dubberly Design Office, and was launched in 2010. The site offers extremely brilliant motion designers and cute little animated GIFs. The members of this social media website contribute pictures of the artwork. Dribble is frequently used by users as an online portfolio. It includes numerous functions, like voting, tagging, and following other users. Illustration, identity design, photography, and other areas are also included.
4. Devian Art
The largest social network for artists and art lovers online, Devian Art enables people to interact through the production and sharing of art. Although several online alternatives offer capabilities similar to those of DeviantArt, they lack the community, which is what sets it apart from the competition. Millions of active individuals who are constantly prepared to share their work, provide feedback, and support other artists make up the enormous DeviantArt community. In addition, DeviantArt has a portfolio function where members can show off their work and may sell their creations.
5. Freepik
Everyone can receive free services from the Freepik website. It is a free vector website where you can also download free PSD files and stock photos. The website was launched in 2010, and ever since then, it has attracted visitors from all around the world. Additionally, you can adhere to your preferred vector architects. In this way, as they transfer new vectors, you will continually be able to observe them. Freepik is used by renowned companies like Spotify, Amazon, FedEx, and Microsoft.
6. Twitter
You must include Twitter in your network as an animator. Twitter is a fantastic medium for making friends, sharing your work, and connecting with other creatives who share your interests. You may even get animation ideas for beginners for free via Twitter. Other than that, the platform can also help you to connect with a client. Since there is so much competition, it could seem difficult, but if you apply the appropriate techniques to market yourself on Twitter, you might just get some amazing new clients and ideas.
7. Reddit
The Reddit community is both large and erratic. Even the most modest videos may become viral sensations by climbing through Reddit’s many subreddits and gaining thousands of views, likes, and comments. This might be your chance to showcase your animation talent. The platform also has various built-in fail-safes to ensure that the community stays true to its purpose of being an aggregator and forum for finding information rather than engaging in shameless self-promotion.
8. OpenSea
The largest decentralized peer-to-peer exchange market for buying and selling NFTs is called OpenSea. It enables users to do transactions with one another in an immediate, absolute, and trustless manner. With the OpenSea platform, you can look at how creative people have been in their digital animation, what are the things to animate, and might take some inspiration from those users.
9. Foundation.org
The web3 community may see your work on display and hear about your artistic identity through Foundation. The platform has developed a collection-drawing environment for a wide range of NFT works. Collections are showcased in a fantastic method that gives your collectors a thematic viewing experience. Providing an ultimate platform to seek help, guidelines, and ideas from.
10. YouTube
YouTube is incredibly famous for its content creation and has outgrown its popularity. The platform features videos of every domain where you can reach out to anything, such as songs, tutorials, lessons, and even full movies. YouTube might help you with different ideas and domains, you might consider in animation. Other than that, it can assist you with important guidelines and lessons in animation as well.
11. Instagram
It shouldn’t be surprising that thousands of amazing artists, animators, and curators prefer Instagram over other visual social media platforms. The nicest thing about Instagram as a source of creative inspiration is that it provides it in small doses between posts about “going shopping and your new dress” and “your family vacation.” It improves your observation and suggests plenty of ideas.
12. Pinterest
Pinterest, a popular social media site allows its users to share both photos and videos. It gives people a place to share their work and gain inspiration from others, it is a terrific platform for artists. When searching for sources of information, concepts, and inspiration, Pinterest is frequently the first port of call for animators. It is a well-known venue for animators and creatives from various fields to network, share work, or offer feedback.
Hardware, We Use for Animation
As we have already discussed some platforms, let’s now learn what hardware specifications you need to meet your animation requirements.
1. One by Wacom
One by Wacom provides a simple-to-use digital pen for animation PCs, Macs, and the majority of chromebooks, making it possible to learn to sketch and edit images, collaborate in online classrooms, or complete academic papers with natural handwriting. It’s very simple to learn and be creative using digital tools.
Digital learning is advanced by Wacom. The digital pen’s realism allows for on-the-go classroom simulation. You have the freedom to write, annotate, create, work together, study, or teach in ways that have never been possible before.
2. Computer
If you’re an animator, you need to be able to move around the scenes easily and rapidly. Technology has enabled advancements in computers in recent years. They can handle 3D and 2D animation programs like Blender, Maya, After Effects, and others with ease. They also offer adequate RAM, modern multi-core processors, and graphics cards. In addition, the portable computers include wonderful screens and speakers for your benefit. To ensure peak performance, it’s crucial to buy a laptop with precise components and requirements.
3. Wacom Intuos Pro
The Wacom Intuos Pro is one of the most accurate drawing tablets and the only one with which you can experiment with the wide range of unique Wacom pens, including the Pro Pen Slim and our Ballpoint Pen. Using the Paper Clip, you can place a piece of paper over your tablet and use this hybrid (refillable) ink and tablet pen to draw on it while digitizing your strokes. Additionally, it has Bluetooth, double the number of Express Keys, and a programmable touch ring for complete customization, so you do not have to face any constraints while animating.
4. Wacom Cintiq Pro
Utilizing the proper tools makes animation simpler. Wacom Cintiq offers a feature set that is ideal for beginning creatives, setting you up for success. More control and precision are possible with super-responsiveness, a big HD screen, and an ergonomic design. Thus, your animation project has a successful beginning.
Conclusion
Since before the internet even existed, animation has been used to enhance visual information and, in many cases, to draw attention to the user interface. Today, animation is more than simply a component of a website’s content; it’s a crucial element that boosts user engagement.
Many people find it challenging to come up with ideas for images. But after utilizing these techniques for a long, perhaps a little robotically at first, you begin to have ideas for animations as you read a line from your screenplay. Try one of these approaches for yourself, use it as a springboard, and soon you’ll find that ideas come to you on their own.
If you are still struggling, you can rely on IdeasAnimation for being your perfect assistance.
Originally published at https://www.ideasanimation.net.