Why The Wind Rises is a Masterpiece of Storytelling and Visual Art
Hayao Miyazaki’s The Wind Rises is a poignant and beautiful film that combines the director’s signature animation style with a deeply personal story.
Blog
Animating the Mugwhump From Niko and the Sword of Light
In the world of animation, the art of creating 2D hand-drawn characters is a meticulous and time-consuming process filled with creativity and technical skill. One standout example of this process is the creation of The Mugwhump, a devious giant toad from the animated series Niko and the Sword of Light.
How Masahito Yamashita’s Influence on Shin’ya Ohira Changed Japanese Animation
In the world of Japanese animation, Shin’ya Ohira’s name is synonymous with a unique approach that emphasizes emotional depth and expressiveness
How One Creative Becomes a Disney-Level Animator
Marat Davletshin used to sketch strangers Marat Davletshin used to sketch strangers on the subway in Saint Petersburg. Now he works at Disney. Yeah, that Disney — Zootopia, Moana, Frozen. The characters you love? He helped bring them to life.
The Legendary Career of Floyd Norman: Disney’s first Black animator
Floyd Norman is more than just a talented animator — he’s a living legend who broke barriers and opened doors.
How Childhood Memories Shaped a Masterpiece: Hayao Miyazaki’s «Spirited Away»
Hayao Miyazaki’s «Spirited Away» is more than just an animated film – it’s a cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire audiences worldwide.
Gertie the Dinosaur: The Birth of Personality in Animation
At the dawn of the 20th century, animation was still in its infancy. Early animated films were more about spectacle than storytelling – simple motion tricks that amazed audiences but rarely left a lasting emotional impact.
Advice and Inspiration from 5 Famous Animators
Animation has evolved over the years, inspiring both newcomers and seasoned professionals alike.
Animation 101: How to Draw Water in 2D Animation
Animating water can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding tasks in 2D animation. Whether you're creating a simple water splash or a complex flowing river, understanding the physics and artistic approaches to water is essential for capturing its dynamic nature.
How to Draw When You Can’t Picture Anything: Glen Keane’s Story and the Phenomenon of Aphantasia
Imagine trying to draw a character when you can’t mentally picture a face, a pose, or even a basic shape. Sounds impossible, right? And yet, that’s exactly how Glen Keane – the legendary Disney animator – created some of the most iconic characters in animation history.
How to Avoid Burnout in Animation
Animation isn’t just a job – it’s often a way of life. You draw, you think in shots, you hear timing in your sleep. It can feel like true love from the moment you bring your first character to life, and they suddenly start to breathe, move, and exist.
Why Animation Festivals Are Key to Launching Your Career
Animation festivals have an incredible power to change the course of your career. Participating in prestigious events can be a ticket into the world of major studios, attract the attention of producers, and even launch full-length projects.
How to Become an Art Director
An art director is not just an artist. They are responsible for creating and maintaining the visual style of a project, collaborating with the team, and making key decisions that shape the final result. If you’re looking to become an art director, it's essential to develop both artistic and leadership skills, alongside strategic thinking and an understanding of visual storytelling.
Classic Animation 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Traditional 2D Animation
Dreaming of becoming an animator and wanting to master classic 2D animation? Then Classic Animation 101 is the perfect guide to help you dive into the basics of traditional animation and progressively learn all the necessary techniques.
From Concept to Creation: Making the Animated Music Video for Pink Floyd
Creating animation for the legendary Pink Floyd is no ordinary task. For our students, this project became a unique opportunity to work on high-quality production and test their skills in real-world animation industry conditions.
Secrets to How Creating a Successful Animation Portfolio
Many aspiring animators believe creating a successful animation portfolio is a collection of pretty shots or impressive scenes. But in the actual industry, studios look for something else – they want to see if you think like an animator by understanding why a character moves the way they do and feel the principles of motion in your work.
How Acting Improves Your Animation
When you watch good animation, what sticks isn’t just the motion – it’s how the character lives through the moment. Whether it’s comedy, drama, or action – if the character moves without purpose or emotion, the scene falls flat. It's the acting that improves the animation!
How to Use Camera Rotation in Fight Animation Scenes
Camera rotation is one of the most complex yet visually striking techniques in animation. It adds dynamism to a scene, enhances its emotional impact, and creates a sense of depth.
