Introduction

Since technology is advancing rapidly, animation has come a long way. There are hand-drawn sketches on flipbooks, 2D animation, and 3D animated visuals that feel more real than reality. Sure, technology has evolved everything. But there’s one thing that never changes the fundamentals. 

Certain rules divide the line between beginners and professionals in the animation industry. It doesn’t matter if you’re animating for games, movies, or short videos. The results depend on how clear and tidy your foundation is set. 

 At Frameboxx 2.0, offering industry-relevant animation courses in Mumbai, hundreds of students walk in with raw passion and walk out as confident animators. After years of guiding creative minds, we’ve narrowed down five unshakable rules that differentiate beginners from masters. 

So, here it is, your ultimate animation handbook.

 1. Master the Core Principles
It’s the basic human tendency to want to jump straight into high-end 3D character animation or create that epic fight scene. But if you skip the basics, your work will always feel off or incomplete. 
The 12 Principles of Animation that were originally introduced by Disney legends Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas are the holy grail for animators who have just entered the industry. These principles can enhance your skills and make you feel natural and believable.  But why do these fundamentals matter? No matter how complex your animation gets, if the base movement doesn’t feel natural, your audience might not like it. 
What can you do?
1. Start small by practising the basic skills. 
2.Break down the animated masterpieces to study how these principles are applied. 
3. Practice each principle individually before combining them. 

 2. Less is More
Generally, beginners animate every little movement. This is a common mistake in animation. Too much animation feels unnatural and doesn’t connect to the audience. 
Great animators know the importance of holding back. Subtle animated characters feel realistic and grounded. The micro-expressions hold more depth than those with heavy movements. Over-animated visuals pull the viewers out of the scene. 
What should you do?
1. Try studying real-life motion. E.g. watch people in coffee shops, movies, or your reflection in the mirror. 
2. Focus on the intent, every movement in the animation should have a purpose. 

3. Every Scene Must Tell a Story
Animation is all about movement, emotion, purpose, and storytelling. You can be good at technical stuff, but if your animation doesn’t deliver the message it is supposed to, it won’t stick with your viewers. 
The greatest animators animate to make the audience feel some emotions. Your animation becomes memorable because of the story it tells and not just how it looks. It is the emotion that creates impact. 
What should you do
1. Before starting, understand the feeling and scene of the movement.
2. Use strong key poses that convey emotion before you even add in-betweens.

4. Use References
You must use references, it isn’t cheating. Most of the time, some beginners avoid using references because they think it makes them less creative. While the reality is even the industry veterans use references to bring more depth in their animation. 
The human body is a complex structure. The physics of gravity, muscle tension, and momentum are not always easy to guess. You can use references to study how real things move. This will help you to design animations that feel grounded even in the most fantastical settings. 
What should you do?
1. Break down the scenes to study how each movement flows into the next. 
2. Use slow-motion tools to catch the tiny details like eye flicks, weight shifts, and posture changes. 

5. Seek Feedback
As animation artists, we all know that no one can create perfect animation on the first try. If you want to master your skills faster, you should be fine with showing rough drafts, making mistakes, and trying again and again. 
How you handle the feedback is one of the major differences between a beginner and a master. Masters actively seek feedback from mentors, colleagues, and even non-animators to see if their work looks good from their perspective. 
What should you do?
1.Try to share rough copies of your work and ask for honest opinions. 
2. Don’t get defensive, take every comment as an opportunity to grow. 
3. Keep working and practice continuously. 

Conclusion

Animation is all about doing the right things at the right time. Always be open to seeking feedback, as animation is a collaborative process. You’ll always be working with directors, editors, or clients. Getting comfortable with feedback will help you to improve your skills faster. 
At Frameboxx 2.0, a leading animation institute in Mumbai, we make feedback a part of our creative journey. Every student gets regular reviews, and our mentors guide them on how to make their animation powerful. 
Animation is equal parts craft and creativity. And at Frameboxx 2.0, we’re here to help you master both the skills,