Experiment With Animation

Choose an aspect of animation to research and explore. You might choose storyboarding, character sketches, scenic designs, or hand-drawn or digital animation. Take notes and share your plan with a classmate.

Reference your research as you begin developing your ideas.

If you’re working on a storyboard, make a list of important events in the narrative. This will help you organize the scenes you’ll include.

If you’re working on character development, make a variety of sketches to figure out your characters’ appearances and personalities. You might experiment with mannerisms, facial expressions, clothing, and hair.

If you’re exploring scenic design, use reference photos to help you develop one or more settings. 

As you work, refine your visual style.

In what ways does Muneeb use scale to design a captivating setting?

Abagail’s sketches explore each character’s appearance and emotions.

How does Martina use color and space to set the scene?

Joaquin develops a narrative using a storyboard.

Now it’s your turn! How will you use what you’ve learned to explore one or more aspects of animation? Turn to page 12 of your May/June 2021 issue of Scholastic Art to see more examples. And don’t miss our reel featuring animations by the students at Jersey City Arts in Jersey City, New Jersey.