From classic animated movies and TV shows to advertisements and modern, award-winning video games, 2D animation is everywhere. It’s a key tool for bringing characters and stories to life, and, when done right, it can cause a lasting impression on your target audience.
In this article, we’ll explore the world of 2D animation – from its definition and history to the main approaches and tools used to create them. Whether you’re an aspiring animator, an indie game developer, or just someone who wants to better understand the basics behind your favorite animated series, this post is for you!
What is 2D animation?
2D animation, also known as two-dimensional animation, is all about creating the illusion of movement through a series of fast-changing images (called “frames”). Unlike 3D animation, which uses 3D models to create lifelike movements and renders, 2D animation is highly reliant on illustrations to create a sense of motion.
This is why 2D animation is a captivating and highly effective form of visual storytelling that was once made by hand. Nowadays, however, 2D animators have many digital tools at their disposal to make their workflow quicker and more efficient – as you will see later in the article.
When did 2D animation start?
2D animation has a rich and comprehensive story that dates back to the late 1800s. Animators back then painstakingly used pencils to create frame by frame, with minor differences between each image, before painting them into “cels” – transparent plastic sheets – that were photographed one by one and arranged in sequence.
Considering that most animations run at around 20 frames per second, this means that the artists would have to create 1200 frames per minute – which is a lot! Thankfully, some techniques helped ease the process of animation, like drawing the characters/objects and characters separately, and only moving them around when needed. Nowadays, the golden standard for animations is 24 frames per second (or 1440 per minute).
Throughout the 20th century, 2D animation continued to evolve and develop even faster, with the introduction of new approaches to animation, like cel animation, computer-assisted animation, and more recently fully digital tools.
As new household appliances like the television hit the market and cinemas started to be a popular pastime among people, there was an increasing demand for entertainment, which led to the creation of dozens of iconic animated films and TV shows of all time, like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), Fantasia (1940), and Woody Woodpecker (1940). More modern examples of 2D animation include The Lion King (1994), Toy Story (1995), and Spirited Away (2001).
Today, the area continues to adapt and reinvent itself over and over again. The recent rise of augmented and virtual reality technologies is bound to give 2D animators a plethora of new opportunities for even more engaging and versatile forms of visual storytelling.
Main types of 2D animation
There are many techniques and approaches to 2D animation. Let’s take a closer look at the main ones:
Cel animation
One of the traditional techniques that are still in use today, cel animation involves drawing each frame on a transparent sheet of film, called a cel. Once everything is ready, the sheets are stacked on top of each other and photographed to give viewers the sensation of movement.
Rotoscoping
Rotoscoping is all about tracing and drawing over live-action footage to create animated sequences that feel very natural. Even though this technique is widely used in live-action movies and TV shows to add special effects, it has seen a lot of use in animations that are exclusively made in two dimensions
Frame-by-frame animation
Also known as “hand-drawn animation”, frame-by-frame animation involves digitally drawing each frame of animation by hand. With all digital tools at their disposal, like layers and blending modes, the process seems very similar to cel animation, except it happens entirely in the digital realm.
Even though this technique can be extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive, it can result in truly mesmerizing and expressive animations that are full of charm, being a popular choice for modern 2D animated movies and commercials.
Tweening
Short for “in-betweening”, it is a digital 2D animation technique used to create fluid animation. As animators can create keyframes at two specific frames and let the computer interpolate the rest, this technique is extremely efficient in comparison, but it might lack personality and charm.
Why are 2D animations important?
When it comes to types of media, 2D animations are in a unique position – as stated before, they are a compelling approach to visual storytelling, but that’s not all. 2D animations are inherently versatile tools for conveying complex ideas in a way that keeps our eyes glued to the screen.
They are also easy to digest and connect well with audiences across all age groups and cultures, making them an amazing medium for entertainment, education, and even marketing purposes.
In particular, 2D animations play a major role in the gaming industry by breathing life into them. The stylized art and fluid motion of 2D characters allows for unfettered creative possibilities, often resulting in unforgettable gaming experiences. Furthermore, they enable game artists to create aesthetically pleasing games that look unique – take Hollow Knight and its bewitching hand-drawn animations for example – drawing more players in.
In other words, without them, it would be hard to imagine the entertainment industry being as massive as it is today.
Learn the process used to create 2D animations
Just like developing a game from scratch, creating 2D animations seems like a daunting task, but, with some organization and lots of persistence, it’s possible to create something truly unique. Let’s take a closer look at them below:
Pre-production: planning is key
During pre-production, you will define all the nitty-gritty of your animation. Which art style will you use? Which techniques will you implement? Who will be your characters? What will be the purpose of your animation? Will there be complicated backgrounds or a simple, flat-colored one? Will there be voiceovers and/or narration?
But one of the most critical things to nail in pre-production is the storyboard, a document containing a sequence of illustrations that visually depict the key events and actions of a story. Just like how a game design document (GDD) serves as the blueprint for the entire project, the storyboard acts as the visual guide for the animation team, helping them with camera angles, transitions, and other critical details.
Production: bringing your vision to life
After all that planning, it’s time to get your hands dirty and slowly bring your animation to life. It is in this step that you will spend a lot of time on, as you will have to work on:
- Actually designing your characters and animating them. You will have to do the same for your backgrounds if applicable;
- Adding special effects, such as extra lighting and particle effects to make your animation more impactful;
- If your characters speak, it’s important to take their mouth animations into account;
- Proper coloring and shading: when creating the animations, colors, and shading are not a concern, but as you approach the result they become more and more important;
- Compositing everything together and making sure it looks great;
Post-production: adding the cherries on top
At last, post-production! Your animation is almost ready at this point, but there are some things to take care of, like adding sound effects and voice lines and making sure they are perfectly timed. It is not unusual to review and refine your creation iteratively, too, like making some animations snapper or adjusting the mouth movements when your characters speak.
After everything is done, start its render process and sit back as your computer coalesces everything into a video file – you deserve it!
Software and tools used to create 2D animations
With so many names on the market, choosing the appropriate tools to create your 2D animations can be an overwhelming affair. Let’s take a look at some of the best free and premium software for 2D animation:
- Blender (free): even though it’s better known for its 3D modeling, rigging, and animation capabilities, Blender is also a great software solution for 2D animators;
- Krita (free): Krita is an all-time favorite software for digital artists, and it can be used for 2D animation as well. It comes with over 100 brushes for free and offers deep and extensive customization capabilities;
- Toon Boom Harmony (premium): it might be hard for beginners to get used to this software, but, once mastered, it offers an all-in-one solution for all things 2D animation. This is the software of choice for many professional studios, being used in popular shows like The Simpsons and Futurama;
- Adobe Animate CC (premium): one of Adobe’s many software, Animate CC is a powerhouse for 2D animations, offering automatic mouth pose matching, 360º VR export capabilities, and even in-software ad creation;
Exploring the Art of 2D Animation
2D animation is a captivating type of animation that has been a cornerstone of the animation industry for decades. It’s all about bringing characters and objects to life with a charming and dynamic animation style. The production process typically begins with a storyboard, outlining the animation project’s sequence. Character design is key, and the 2D animator crafts characters’ visual and movement styles meticulously.
The rough animation stage sets the foundation for the final animation, giving characters the grace and personality they need. This traditional 2D production phase is an art form in itself, creating each frame with detail and precision. Character animation in 2D means paying close attention to the 12 principles of animation, honed by animation pioneers like the Walt Disney Studios. To create one second of animation, you need a series of 24 unique drawings, a testament to the animator’s skill.
2D animation has now evolved with powerful 2D animation software like Adobe After Effects and other animation tools, making it more accessible to aspiring animators. While 3D animation has gained popularity, 2D animation maintains its unique charm and sophistication. For those interested in becoming a 2D animator, there are various 2D animation courses available, both online and in animation studios, providing a comprehensive understanding of the animation process and the career opportunities it offers in animated video, motion graphics, and visual effects.
Whether it’s creating a simple 2D animation, working on animated feature films, or producing 2D animation for mobile apps, 2D animation continues to be an integral part of animation and visual effects, delivering impressive visual stories in a two-dimensional world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 2D animation is an important and extremely versatile form of art that has been around for over a century. From its early, humble beginnings in hand-drawn cel animation to more modern techniques, like tweening and rotoscoping, it’s safe to say that 2D animation has come a long way – and chances are it will continue to evolve and reinvent itself as advancements in AR/VR and AI technologies are achieved.
While 3D animation has risen tremendously in popularity, 2D animation remains a popular choice for many animators and game developers across the globe due to its distinctive look and feel. It is also generally cheaper and less time-consuming than its 3D counterpart, which definitely plays a role in its widespread adoption.
If you’re looking to create a 2D game that really stands out from the crowd, look no further than us at Main Leaf! With over 13 years of experience and a team comprising more than 70 passionate experts, we can bring your vision to life with our Unity and Unreal Engine game development services – which include game design and the creation of gorgeous 2D animations.
Our blazing-fast delivery speeds are possible through our agile development practices and are sure to leave you nothing short of impressed. What are you waiting for to take your game to the next level? Take the first step today by requesting a game quote below!
