animation principles

Animation principles are guidelines artists use to create realistic and engaging motion. They include concepts like squash and stretch (showing flexibility and weight), timing (how fast or slow movements are), anticipation (preparing the viewer for an action), and follow-through (acting after the main motion to add realism). These principles help make animated characters and objects feel believable and lively. Think of them as the rules that make movement smooth, natural, and emotionally expressive, whether for cartoons, movies, or video games.