Types of animation

• Traditional Animation (2D, CEL, Hand Drawn)

• 2D Animation (Vector-based)

• 3D Animation (CGI, Computer Animation)

• Motion Graphics (Typography, Animated Logos)

• Stop Motion (Claymation, Cut-outs)

Traditional animation (or classical animation, cel animation or hand-drawn animation) is an

animation technique in which each frame is drawn by hand on a physical medium (1)

2D animation focuses on creating characters, storyboards, and backgrounds in two-dimensional

environments. Often thought of as traditional animation, the figures can move up and down, left,
and right. They do not appear to move toward or away from the viewer, as they would in 3D
animation. 2D animation uses bitmap and vector graphics to create and edit the animated images
and is created using computers and software programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, Flash, After
Effects, and Encore. These animations may be used in advertisements, films, television shows,
computer games, or websites. (2)
3D animation

It is the process of generating three-dimensional moving images in a digital environment. Careful

manipulation of 3D models or objects is carried out within 3D software for exporting picture
sequences giving them the illusion of animation or movement. However, this is completely based on
the technique used for manipulating the objects. The procedure of generating 3D is sequentially
categorized into three main sections and these are modeling, layout and animation and rendering.
Modeling is the phase that describes the procedure of generating 3D objects within a certain scene.
Layout and animation phase describes the process followed for positioning and animating the
objects within a certain scene (3)

Motion graphics is animation, but with text as a major component. Essentially, it’s animated graphic
design. (4)
Stop motion

Stop Motion Animation is a technique used in animation to bring static objects to life on screen. This
is done by moving the object in increments while filming a frame per increment. When all the frames
are played in sequence it shows movement. Clay figures, puppets and miniatures are often used in
stop motion animation as they can be handled and repositioned easily. (5)