What is Animation?

A person interested in both technology and the arts may wonder what animation is. Most people have seen many animated films, television shows or short videos and felt curious about how they were made. Animation has been around for a while now, and understanding what it is and how it is done could help a person decide whether or not they want to be an animator.

What Animation Is

An animated effect is the capturing of sequential static images. When those images are viewed at a rate of about 60 per second, the human eye and brain perceive them as being in motion. The images can be drawings or photographs of animals, people or static objects. A similar effect can be created with a flipbook, but this requires some precision with a person’s hands, and it does not last for long.

How Animation Started

Animation is a lot older than most people realize. It got its start in the early 1800s, and one of the earliest known examples of an animated effect is by Simon von Stampfer. His Phénakisticope, from 1833, shows men seeming to walk around a circle. In the early 1900s, Japan experimented with animation, releasing Katsudō Shashin around 1907. By the 1920s, Walt Disney was active in creating animated shorts that would later spark a whole industry and become ingrained in the American culture. Today, most of the animated effects are done with software and are created digitally. There is still some hand drawing and coloring, but the majority of the work is done with the help of technology.

Today’s Uses of Animated Effects

According to 99 Designs, animated effects are no longer only used in movies, cartoons or commercials. They are increasingly important in the world of business. One example is that of an explainer video. An animated video may explain a concept or show the viewer how something works. The animated effect makes the topic seem more approachable. The animated effects enliven what might be a dull subject. Animated effects are also used when an internet page is loading. Transitions that are animated add visual interest to websites. On social media, animated videos are an ideal way to reel people in, spark their interest and make them remember a product, brand or company.

How Animation Creates a Great User Experience

People do not like abrupt transitions, and something as simple as animating a drop-down menu creates a smoother transition. People who are trying to download a file may get bored or wonder what is going on if there is not an animation showing the progress or that the download is active. Small interactions on a website that are animated keep the visitor interested and provide them with a better experience than a website that is not interactive.

Related Resource: 15 Best Affordable Animation Degree Programs

People who enjoy the arts, technology, editing and working on a team with others may do well studying animation and becoming an animator. Familiarity with what it is, how it has been done in the past and how it is changing today makes it possible for a person to craft an informed decision about their careers. Knowing what is animation is could also help a person understand more about the media they watch.