Visual Arts & Making
Animation
Twelve drawings a second, each moved a little from the last
The first decision is the medium: 2D is drawn frame by frame, stop motion photographs real objects one frame at a time, and 3D poses models in software. All three share the same principles of timing, anticipation and follow-through, so switching later doesn't mean starting over. The cheapest start is stop motion on a phone or a flipbook on paper.
First stepPick 2D or stop motion first; the cheapest start is a twenty-page flipbook on sticky notes showing a ball bouncing up and down.
Which way inbold marks where the branches differ
| Cost to start | Going deep | |
|---|---|---|
| 2D AnimationDraw the key poses first, then fill in every frame between them | Free | $300–2k |
| Stop MotionMove the object, take a frame, repeat: patience is the medium | Under $50 | $2k–10k |
Same on every branch: Alone or with people On your own · Effort Sitting · Without a teacher? Self-taught · One session takes 1–2 hours · Where At home
Why people take it up