Basics in traditional 2D animation
We’ll learn how to put into practice the timeless 12 basic principles of animation, just as the great animators at Disney did. Together, we’ll explore the basics of traditional 2D animation and create our very first animations with simple, lovable characters.
Start date
February 12, 2025
Duration
12 weeks
Price per month
415€/month (excl. VAT)
![Basics in [hl]traditional[/hl] 2D animation](https://animationclub.school/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Traditional-2d-animation_course_1_vnytri.gif)
About the course
This course is designed to introduce students to the traditional 2D animation basics, focusing on key animation terms and techniques. You’ll explore the 12 principles of animation, learning how to master timing and spacing to bring your drawings to life. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to reinforce your skills, this course will guide you every step of the way with patience and care.
Starting with foundational exercises, you'll build confidence in character scaling, special effects, and composition. As you progress, the tasks grow more challenging, giving you the opportunity to create dynamic scenes with simple characters. By the end, you’ll have the hands-on experience and practical skills to create professional-quality traditional 2D animations
After the course
Once you have completed this course, you will be ready for complex dynamic shots animations and work on perspective with our "Mechanics of Movement" course.
The course is suitable if you:
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Want to be a 2D animator
If you aspire to a creative career and wish to avoid the hassle of starting from scratch, you're in search of a mentor who can guide you in developing your skills right from the beginning.
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Junior 2D Animator
You are already familiar with the basics, but want to level up your game and solidify your fundamentals.
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Artist or a Designer
You're eager to master the art of animating your drawings to boost your competitiveness, and you're on the lookout for inspiration and knowledge in animation to enhance your portfolio with vibrant animations.
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Graduate of the free course "2D animation. Introduction" or "2D animation. Intermediate."
Successfully completed the free course and is ready to learn classic 2D animation.
![The course is [hl]suitable[/hl] if you:](https://animationclub.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/kartinka-554h542-fkbcf.png)
Сurriculum
First month
4 lessons
- Start. Learn or improve your squash and stretch technique by making a bouncing ball.
- The whip principle. Add a tail to the ball.
- The jump of a pillow. Learn how to animate a moving character.
- Pendulum. Learn to swing the mass.
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4 weeks (please, make sure to have 6+ hours per week for homework)
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In the first month, you'll master the TVPaint interface, gain hands-on experience with essential animation principles, and create your first animations. This course will solidify your animation fundamentals and build a strong foundation for advanced studies.
Second month
4 lessons
- Work on a scene by animating a punch.
- Animation techniques. Explore the benefits of different styles. We continue to work on the dynamic movement of the pillow.
- Working with the camera. Learn or level up your skills of turning the character in space during the movement.
- Finalising the project.
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4 weeks (please, make sure to have 6+ hours per week for homework)
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In the second month, you'll animate a punch scene, explore various animation styles, work on dynamic pillow movements, and master character rotations in space. You'll gain comprehensive knowledge of perspective and refine your skills in different animation techniques, effectively finalizing your project.
Third month
4 lessons
- Working on the 360-degree character’s turn.
- Special effects. Adding details to the character.
- Compositing. Polishing the character.
- Creating a demo reel.
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4 weeks (please, make sure to have 6+ hours per week for homework)
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In the third month, you'll achieve a seamless 360° character rotation, enhance your character with detailed special effects, refine your compositing techniques, and produce a demo reel. This will deepen your animation expertise and prepare you for more complex projects.
You will learn
Work with timing and spacing
Work by Veronika Scherbakova, a graduate of the course
Doing swoops in a lesson on tail animation
The work of course alumna Alexandra Stern
Observe the volume of the character when animating a pillow jump
Work by Veronika Scherbakova, a graduate of the course
Work with the character's weight, and you'll also practice the principle of the pendulum
Work by Veronika Scherbakova, a graduate of the course
Accelerate and decelerate a character in motion in a pillow hitting lesson
Work by Veronika Scherbakova, a graduate of the course
Work with rhythm in animation on the task of flying a character in the air with rotation
The work of Oleg Ivakhno, a graduate of the course
Move the character in space, using the example of an aerial flight animation
Work by Veronika Scherbakova, a graduate of the course
Morphing - smoothly transforming one object into another object
The work of course alumna Alexandra Stern
Preserve the character design when rotating 360°
The work of course alumna Alexandra Stern
Student
Reviews
«Traditional 2D animation. Course 1 — Basics» course
The course is detailed, without "water"
Nemitko Nikolay
Graduate of the course traditional 2D animation
Taught me a lot!
Artem Vorobiev
Graduate of the traditional 2D animation course
Weekly feedback and the recording of these sessions have significantly enhanced my growth!
Yonathan Abay
Graduate of the course traditional 2D animation
I recommend the course, especially for beginners
Sonya Matrosova
Graduate of the traditional 2D animation course
I'm delighted) I want to say thank you very much!
Veronica Bogdanova
Graduate of the traditional 2D animation course
All tasks are interesting and very useful!
Nikolaeva Anastasia
Completed all courses in traditional 2D animation
I gained a lot of useful knowledge!
Veronica Khoreva
Graduate of the course traditional 2D animation
The course really inspires you to new achievements!
Natalia Kendrali
Graduate of courses in traditional 2D animation
Henry Leonardo
Graduate of courses in traditional 2D animation
Really loved the first course and it really helped me improve a ton!
Never underestimate the basics!
Dania Siabet Zamora Mares
Graduate of the course traditional 2D animation
How will the training go?
Recorded lectures and homework on the learning platform
In the Discord chat room you can discuss any questions and get advice
Each week there will be online meetings with the mentor and the group, where you will get detailed feedback.
From the completed assignments you'll have a cool portfolio
And at the end of the course you'll receive a personalized certificate and be ready to move on with your life
What software is needed for the course?
TVPaint
TVPaint for comfortable work and study (or equivalent digital animation software)
Drawing tablet
for drawing
Zoom
for a weekly meeting with a mentor
Discord
to keep up with everything
![Learn [hl]more
about the course[/hl]](https://animationclub.school/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/edward_priglahenie.jpg)
Your resume after a full course of study
Basics in traditional 2D animation
Course fee
415€/month (excl. VAT)
Start
February 12, 2025
Spots left
11 spots
Frequently asked
questions
about the course
What to Expect from the AnimationClub School Courses?
In our courses, you’ll build both the knowledge and the confidence you need to succeed in animation. We’ll help you develop the skills that are essential for a professional career in the industry. By the end, you’ll have a demo reel that reflects your growth and showcases your abilities to potential employers.
How Are the Online Animation Lessons Structured?
It’s straightforward: first, we introduce you to the theory, then you get to put it into practice. Each online animation lesson is filled with video instructions, helpful visual examples, and assignments that you can work on at your own pace. You’ll have the freedom to take your time, but there is a deadline to recieve mentor feed back. So, remember to submit your work on time to get the thoughtful insights from your instructor. The course is designed to fit your life, so you can study from anywhere, using just your tablet or computer. Whatever your path, we’re here to help you grow and succeed, step by step.
What Time Do the Animation Classes Take Place?
The schedule will be shared with you as the animation class begins, but rest assured, classes are typically held no earlier than 17:00 UTC, most often on weekdays. Life can be busy, and if you can’t attend a class on a certain day, that’s okay. You’ll always have the option to watch the recording at your convenience, so you never have to miss out on the learning experience
If you're unsure whether your timezone is compatible for effective learning, please feel free to reach out to us on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/33749767306
At What Age is it Possible to Take Animation Club School Courses?
We generally accept students starting at age 16, as the course is intensive and requires a certain level of focus and understanding for completion. However, if you're passionate and dedicated, we’re open to considering students as young as 14 on an individual basis. We take into account your potential and the quality of your work, believing in your ability to rise to the challenge and succeed in the world of animation. Please submit a portfolio to AnimationClub.school@gmail.com or contact through WhatsApp for more information.
When Do You Need to Pay for the Animation Course? Is it Better to Pay in Advance or Wait Until the Start Day?
To secure your place in the online animation course, simply pay for the first month or the entire course upfront. Because we limit the number of students in each group, it’s important to act quickly, especially as the start of the course approaches—there are usually only a few spots left as enrollment closes early due to high demand.
We also encourage you to make your payment in advance, giving you peace of mind and allowing enough time for processing. This way, you can focus on the exciting journey ahead without any last-minute stress.
I Paid for an Animation Course, What Should I Do Next?
A week before the animation course begins, you’ll be invited to the study group, where you'll find all the essential information about the learning process. The course materials on the training platform will become available on the first day of the course. All the links will be sent to your specified email, but sometimes they can end up in your 'spam' or 'promotions' folder. We recommend checking those just in case, so you don’t miss anything important. If you have not received your starting instructions by then please reach out to use. We’re here to ensure you have everything you need to start strong!
What Should I Install and Prepare Before Starting Our Animation Course?
A week before your training begins, you'll receive emails with all the preparation details. The first step is to install Discord, where your study group will be waiting for you. Your supervisor or teacher, who will add you to the group ahead of time, will guide you through the training programs and what to expect.
To make the most of your classes, you’ll need a computer or laptop, a headset, and a webcam (the webcam is optional but recommended). Classes will take place on Zoom, so be sure to install both Zoom and Discord to stay connected with your mentors and peers.
When it comes to animation software, Toonboom Harmony and TVPaint are industry standards, used by most professional studios. Becoming familiar with these tools will definitely give you an edge if you’re serious about breaking into the animation world. However, don’t worry if they’re out of your budget right now! You can still get started with accessible programs like Rough Animator or OpenToonz. These are fantastic tools that provide everything you need to dive into our courses. As long as you can export your work as MP4 or Image Sequence files, you’ll be able to get valuable feedback on your progress.
And when it comes to drawing in these programs, a tablet is far more effective than a mouse. There are plenty of great options available from trusted brands like Wacom, Huion, and XP-Pen. Any of these will work perfectly with the software we use, setting you up for success in your animation journey.
Why Is Your Animation Courses More Effective Than Self-Study?
Well, we’ve gathered everything you need to learn animation in one place, so you don’t have to spend time searching for lessons or resources else where. Giving you the structure to create amazing animations while still being able to use your creativity. You’ll have a clear path ahead of you, every step of the way. And most importantly, you’re never alone. If you have questions or run into challenges, you can always reach out to the instructor for professional guidance. We’re here to help you, support you, and make sure you’re never stuck.
Our course is thoughtfully structured to guide you, from the basics to the more complex animations, so you can move forward with confidence—without feeling overwhelmed or confused.
What Makes Our School Stand Out Compared to Traditional Animation Universities, Schooling, or Programs?
Our courses are led by industry professionals who know exactly what today’s animation world demands. We equip you with practical skills that let you start animating from the very first lesson. Forget spending years on theory—our approach helps you gain hands-on experience right away. With a flexible schedule, you learn at your own pace, fitting your studies into your life. It’s all about making your animation dreams a reality on your terms.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of Animation Courses?
Upon successfully completing all Animation course requirements, you'll receive an electronic certificate to celebrate your achievement. While this certificate is not a state certified diploma, we place greater value on the portfolio work you’ll build throughout the courses. In the animation industry, your portfolio is your most powerful tool, showcasing your skills and creativity in a way that truly speaks to your potential.
