What is Animation?

So what's the definition of the word Animation? Take a look in the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and you'll find the following:

  1. The act of animating : the state of being animate or animated
  2. a) A motion picture made by photographing successive positions of inanimate objects (as puppets or mechanical parts)
    b) ANIMATED CARTOON
  3. The preparation of animated cartoons

In simple technical terms an Animation is the process or result of sequencing images together one after the other or as animators sometimes say - animation is to bring inanimate things to life.

Today animation in all its forms is a multi-million dollar industry employing many thousands of people. From a simple hand made flick book to the realistic 3D computer animation of Toy Story and the likes, animation is something many of us take for granted and yet behind every single second of animation is often many hours of thinking, planning, and meticulous labour.

Next time you watch a feature length animation, take a moment to read the credits and appreciate all the people it takes to make a movie. Directors, producers, scriptwriters, researchers, animators, painters, background artists, editors, sound editors, accountants and more, the list is often endless! But see if you can spot the many specialist roles in the animation studio such as:

There are no easy jobs in the animation studio, every role is crucial to the success of the animation. Throughout this site you'll learn more about each of the key roles and their individual responsibilities.

  1. Welcome
  2. The MOVE IT Animations
  3. What is Animation?
  4. Styles & Techniques
  5. Equipment needed to complete this module
  6. How to use the Tutorial