The Pains of Learning Animation
As a graphic designer, digital design has been my creative playground for years. I’ve mastered the tools and techniques needed to turn ideas into visual art, and I love every part of the process. But there’s one outlet I haven’t fully explored—animation.
I’ve always admired the added depth and movement that animation brings to design. The way it can breathe life into an illustration, create engaging motion, and tell a dynamic story in just a few seconds is incredible. That’s why I’ve finally decided to dive into the world of animation. Spoiler alert: it’s been a challenge!
My First Steps in Animation: The Bouncing Ball
Every journey starts with a small step, and mine began with one of the simplest, most classic animation exercises—the bouncing ball. It might sound trivial, but animating a ball bounce helps you learn foundational skills like timing, spacing, and squash-and-stretch techniques that are key to creating natural movement.
I started with a very basic bounce—up and down, nothing special. But after running through it a few times, I began to notice small things I could tweak to give the ball more character. I played around with making it bounce higher, slower, and more exaggerated, even giving it a fun "squash" when it hit the ground and a stretch as it soared back up. Each version felt more alive and gave me a deeper understanding of how subtle adjustments can bring movement to life.
I didn’t stop at just one ball. I animated it over and over again, experimenting with how it might behave if it were heavier, lighter, or filled with more personality. It’s funny how such a simple exercise can give you so much insight into the principles of animation.
Learning with Procreate Dreams
To make my entry into animation a little less intimidating, I started using Procreate Dreams. It’s an intuitive app designed to ease beginners like me into the animation world without overwhelming us. It introduces concepts like keyframes, which are the backbone of any movement. Keyframes mark the beginning and end of each action, and understanding how to set them up properly is crucial to smooth animation.
Procreate also has this cool feature called Performance Mode, which lets you preview your animation in real-time as you work on it. You can see how changes to the keyframes affect the motion immediately, helping you tweak and refine every little movement. This makes learning a lot more hands-on and helps connect the dots between theory and practice.
Then there’s the use of onion skins and clipping masks. Onion skins allow me to see a faint image of the previous frame as I work on the next one, ensuring consistency in the flow of motion. Clipping masks, on the other hand, help isolate certain areas of the design, giving me more control over specific parts of the animation. These tools simplify what would otherwise be a complicated process, making animation feel more accessible.
The Journey Ahead: How I’ll Keep Learning
I’m only about one week into the process of learning animation, and there’s still so much to figure out. But I’m committed to making progress, even if it’s just in small increments. Here’s the plan I’ve laid out for myself to keep pushing forward:
Dedicated Weekly Learning Sessions
I plan to spend at least 1–2 hours a week focusing solely on learning new animation techniques. Whether it's practicing keyframes, playing with squash-and-stretch, or diving into more complex features like timing and anticipation, I want to keep building my skills step by step.Learning from Online Resources
There’s a wealth of free tutorials and YouTube videos available for beginners. I’ve already started watching a few, and I’ll continue seeking out resources that break down the principles of animation into digestible lessons. And who knows? I might even consider investing in a MasterClass subscription to learn from industry professionals and expand my skills even further.Experimenting with Personal Projects
Animation is all about practice. I’ll keep taking on small projects like the bouncing ball to challenge myself and experiment with new ideas. As I get more comfortable, I plan to animate more complex characters and movements to explore the full range of animation possibilities.Networking and Feedback
One of the best ways to learn is by getting feedback from other creatives. I’m looking to connect with fellow animators and designers to share tips, tricks, and constructive criticism. There’s always something new to learn from those who’ve been in the game longer.
Why Animation Matters in Design
Animation may seem like a separate discipline from graphic design, but the two are more interconnected than you might think. All major companies use animation to create eye-catching, engaging content. Whether it's in advertising, websites, or social media, movement draws the viewer’s attention and keeps them engaged longer.
Design isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about telling a story. Animation adds a whole new layer to that storytelling. It takes a static image and transforms it into something dynamic, something that can evoke emotion or create an experience. That’s why I believe every designer, including myself, should continue learning and expanding their skill sets, no matter how experienced they are.
Keep Learning: A Designer’s Mantra
There’s a quote by Pablo Picasso that resonates with me as I navigate this journey: "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." It’s a reminder that growth only happens when we step outside of our comfort zone. For me, learning animation is about embracing the challenges and pushing through the discomfort of not knowing something—because on the other side is something truly rewarding.
Even if it’s just an hour or two a week, I want to keep feeding my curiosity and learning new things, whether it’s animation, a new design tool, or an online course. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but with persistence, it does happen.
