Combining Principles for Stronger Animation

You can apply individual principles. Now learn to weave them together and understand their interdependencies.

Principle Synergies

Squash/Stretch + Timing

Volume preservation is key. Faster motion = more stretch. The timing dictates the degree. A 2-frame anticipation needs less squash than a 6-frame one.

Anticipation + Follow Through

These are mirrors. Anticipation magnitude should roughly match follow through. Big wind-up = big settle. They create rhythmic bookends to any action.

Staging + Secondary Action

Secondary actions must support staging, never compete. If staging says "look at the face," secondary action in hands should point attention there, not away.

Arcs + Slow In/Out

Arcs aren't uniform speeds. Apply easing along the arc path. Spacing should bunch at start/end of the arc, spread in the middle.