Storytellers can now tell stories in original ways through animation. No matter your age, the visceral fantastical worlds in animated movies can rekindle your imagination and the magic of stories. The animation is a great place to start if you want to tell stories or are already one. What then is animation? What kinds of animation do cartoonists and artists use, then? Let's begin.

What is Animation? What is CGI Animation and How does it work?

What is Animation?

Animation is the simulation of movement produced by a collection of images. But the reality is a little more nuanced than that. Let's start with an animation definition before discussing the different kinds of animated movies.

Types of Animation

Although there are many different subtypes of animation styles, the following are the main ones:

Flipbook-style animation is believed to be the earliest type, with historians placing the invention of the phenakistoscope in the 1830s (a rotating disc with images that, when spun, creates an animation loop).

Stop motion animation uses a number of photos to create the movement effect rather than illustrations. Claymation, a form of stop-motion animation that uses clay figurines as the subject, has produced a number of well-known feature films, including the Wallace and Gromit series, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), and Coraline (2009).

2D animation is produced using either digital illustration tools like Adobe Animate and Toon Boom Harmony or traditional illustration tools like pencils and paper. The majority of 2D animation can be found in older cartoons like Aladdin (1992), Charlotte's Web (1973), and Spongebob Squarepants, though it is occasionally still used today (1999- ).

3D animation gives a 2D animation depth to make it seem like it exists in reality. Computer-generated imagery (CGI), which uses chroma-key technology to apply 3D graphics to pre-existing video footage, is a well-known type of 3D animation.

Motion graphics are animations devoid of any narrative significance. Although they can't stand alone and tell a story, they are frequently used in marketing materials to present text information in a lively visual manner. Transitions between presentation slides, title sequences in movies and on television, or an animated app logo are all examples of motion graphics.

Animation Software Vendors

Professional animators have utilized a variety of 2D, 3D, and motion graphics animation application software that has evolved over time:

⦁ Adobe After Effects

⦁ Adobe Animator

⦁ OpenToonz

⦁ Cinema 4D

⦁ Unity

⦁ Blender

⦁ Maya

⦁ Toon Boom Harmony

⦁ Filmora Pro

What is CGI Animation?

CGI (computer-generated imagery) is a branch of the VFX category (visual effects). It alludes to settings, effects, and pictures produced by the software. CGI can be used in subtle or overt ways, and it can be static or dynamic, 2D or 3D.

Think of the T-Rex chasing Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park when CGI was used to add animated elements to raw footage during live-action filming. Similar to that, it can be used to produce elaborate scenes that would be too expensive or challenging to build in real life (such as the epic battles in Game of Thrones). It can even be used to make actors look much younger, as in Netflix's The Irishman, or to use a green screen to place actors in fantastical settings.

How Does CGI Animation Work?

CGI can be used in animation to build entirely new worlds, as in Pixar's Toy Story or Disney's Frozen. Here, CGI eliminates the need for labor-intensive, expensive, and complicated manual animation and gives artists much more freedom to work outside of 2D.

CGI animation is just one element of a wider sphere of animation techniques such as:

⦁ 2D, vector-based animation

⦁ Stop motion

⦁ Motion graphics

⦁ Cel (celluloid) animation

CGI animation techniques are used in a variety of fields besides television and film, such as astrology, science, engineering, real estate, and the arts and sciences.

What is White Board Animation?

A type of video called whiteboard animation shows the viewer still images being drawn on the screen. The narration usually goes along with the illustrations and guides the audience through the story that is being illustrated. These animations are straightforward but undeniably interesting.

Without a doubt, video marketing has taken off in the past ten years and is now a crucial component of any effective marketing strategy. Everyone has climbed aboard the video train. Given these facts, it should come as no surprise that consumers are four times more interested in watching videos about a product than they are in reading about one. Most marketers also cite video marketing as having the highest return on investment. This indicates that video marketing should not be neglected and should instead be a key component of your company's communication and marketing plan.

What kind of video should you invest in now that you are aware that including video in your business plan is essential?

Using a whiteboard animation video can be an incredibly effective tool. They are an exciting and innovative way to advertise and market your services or products. These videos can be created to cater to a variety of specific industries without any of the fluff found in other styles of video. Additionally, a whiteboard video is intended to be focused on. This means your message will be heard loud and clear.

How Can Whiteboard Animation be Used?

The ideal way for your business to begin incorporating video into your marketing plan is with whiteboard animation. It can be produced quickly and cheaply, and it is memorable and striking. The ideal addition to any business' website, social media pages, or email newsletters is whiteboard animation. The possibilities for marketing are practically endless thanks to digital flexibility! All you require is an idea. Lacking a script? That's alright! Our skilled and experienced scriptwriters can convey a strong message that will show your viewers how your business fits into their lives while also grasping your vision. Whiteboard animation videos are more affordable to produce than any other kind of video, and they also have an effective and clear call to action.

What is Video Animation?

Animated videos are those that have been made using unique designs, illustrations, drawings, or computer-generated effects and have been given a dynamic motion using a variety of artistic techniques. They don't need any live-action recording in order to communicate a message or tell a story, though they may incorporate it.

Types of Different Video Animation Include:

⦁ Cartoons

⦁ 2D Animation

⦁ 3D Animation

⦁ CGI

⦁ Whiteboard animations

⦁ Motion graphics

⦁ Stop-motion animation (a la “claymation”)

⦁ Kinetic typography

⦁ Flipbook or stick-figure animation

Why Produce Animated Videos?

The animation will always be a classy and affordable substitute for live-action video production if you're in charge of organizing a diverse mix of deliverables in a content plan.

Animation is a powerful storytelling tool that, like motion graphics, enables you to accomplish feats that would be impossible in the real world without going over budget. Take, for instance, this imaginative tribute to Stanley Kubrick the filmmaker.

Why is Animation Important?

Considering how large and booming the animation industry is. So, if we're talking about the significance of animation, I should say that it plays a significant role in every related area, whether we're talking about entertainment, education, or the perspective of our careers. The world of animation is one of creativity, magic, and fun. It is the field where your concepts or fantasies can become a virtual reality. Its outstanding response has caused it to touch the sky.

Because many people can comprehend videos faster than they can read or listen to any information, the animation is very important. The simple fact that animation makes everything fun explains its effective growth. Additionally, it lowers your website's bounce rate because it makes the design and content very engaging. I've only touched on a few of the many advantages and justifications for animation's significance.

What Skills Do You Need to be an Animator?

Perhaps the most crucial quality among the abilities needed for a career in animation and gaming is creativity. Although it isn't strictly required, you should be passionate about sketching and drawing because it will help you tremendously in almost every aspect of the business. It's essential to comprehend visual storytelling and visual communication. Additionally needed is persistence and meticulous attention to detail. The application of 3-D animation has grown significantly over the past few years. So it's crucial to be able to use computer tools to create visuals while also using your understanding of physics and math.

Skills for being an Animator

⦁ Creativity and imagination

⦁ Patience and attention to detail

⦁ Drawing skills

⦁ Computer literacy and familiarity with graphics software

⦁ Communication and presentation skills

⦁ Ability to meet deadlines and work as part of a team

Is Animation A Good Career?

Today, one of the most lucrative and sought-after careers is in animation. A career in animation may be the best fit for you if you value attractive pay and personal freedom. Computer animation is used in movies, video games, and other media.

The popularity of films like Frozen, Coco, Ice Age, Kung Fu Panda, Incredibles 2, and others among audiences means that computer animation is not going away any time soon.

Because there is such a high demand for web animations, there is no lack of work for those who are skilled in the field.

Conclusion

While bringing characters to life is an exciting job, an animation career is very difficult. In an effort to meet strict deadlines, many animators put in a lot of overtime. But few other professions can compare to the satisfaction of witnessing your characters come to life. You will overcome the obstacles and manage the pressure if you have the passion and dedication necessary to succeed in this field.