Animation Principles - Universal Reference

Disney's 12 principles work at every skill level. Here's each principle with scalable depth.

1. Squash and Stretch

Core idea: Objects deform to show motion and impact. Beginner: Ball flattens when it hits ground. Advanced: Volume must remain constant. Facial animation uses micro-squash for expression. Key insight: Even "rigid" objects can use the principle through camera shake or motion blur.

2. Anticipation

Core idea: Prepare the viewer for action. Beginner: Crouch before jump. Advanced: Anticipation size controls audience expectation. Absence creates surprise. Key insight: Every action that needs to read clearly needs setup.

3. Staging