2D Animation: Definition, Types, and Techniques for Creating It

2D animation is one of the creative media to become more attractive in the fierce business competition in the digital era that uses visual content. But, what is a 2D animation? It is more than just entertainment, it is also an effective strategy for communicating messages, building brand awareness, and capturing audience attention.

Therefore, understanding the basics of 2D animation is an important step in using this medium to grow your business in the digital realm. 

This article will discuss what is 2D animation along with types and techniques, so you can apply them to your business. Check it out for the full explanation!

What Is 2D Animation?

2D animation is the art of creating motion in a two-dimensional space through a sequence of images that are slightly different from the previous image. When the images are displayed at a certain speed, it creates the illusion that the images are moving.

In its creation, characters, backgrounds, and objects move on a flat plane because these elements have width (X-axis) and height (Y-axis), but no depth (Z-axis).

In addition, 2D animation is widely used in various media, such as movies, television, video games, websites, and advertising. 2D animation can bring the story's message to life through simple visuals but looks more engaging and effective.

Types of 2D Animation

After you know what is 2D animation, let's explore its types. In the creative world, there are various types of 2D animation, each with unique characteristics. These can be adapted to suit your business marketing needs. Here are two commonly used types in visual works.

1. Path Animation

The way to draw this type of 2D animation is to draw an object following a predetermined curve or path line. To create a path animation, you must draw the object repeatedly until a certain condition is met, so that the object appears to be moving. 

Examples of path animation include animating a moving vehicle, the earth's rotation around the sun, a bouncing ball, a flying bird, and so on.

2. Cell Animation

Cell animation is a type of 2D animation introduced by Disney in their movies. To draw cell animation, draw a different object on each transparent sheet. The transparent paper is useful in the process of drawing each subsequent object.

Then the images are combined and put together. The combined sheets of images will create an animation with smooth movements. Some cartoons that use this type of 2D animation are "Mickey Mouse," "Sinchan," and "Doraemon.

How to Create 2D Animation?

After you know what is 2D animation and its types, now you need to know its technique. It's essential to use the right techniques to produce attractive 2D animation for your target audience. 

So, how to make 2D animation? Here are the four techniques that can help you:

1. Cell Technique or Manual Technique

The first technique is using the cell technique, which is the oldest creation technique. This technique is quite manual and traditional because you have to draw objects on transparent paper. 

Typically, animators draw the background and foreground once and make them static. Meanwhile, other objects are created separately. This saves time and the animator doesn't have to do a lot of drawing.

2. Shadow Technique

The next way to create a 2D animation is to use the silhouette technique. Generally, animators use media such as cloth, cardboard, or leather as a medium for the creation of shadow animation techniques.

For example, if you choose cardboard as the medium you want to use, you need to cut out the cardboard according to the desired object. Then you can shine a light on the back of the medium to create a shadow. As the light is moved away, the object’s shadow will become smaller, and vice versa. The easiest example to illustrate this technique is puppets.

3. 2D Computing Techniques

The third way to create 2D animation is with 2D computer techniques. In the 1980s, the animation industry was growing with computers being used by animators to produce their work.

This is certainly very helpful for animators because they do not need to re-create all existing concepts. For example, if an error occurs, the animator only needs to delete the wrong part, or if they want to duplicate an object, they only need to click the copy and paste button.

4. 3D Computing

The fourth way to create 2D animation is through 2D computing. Over time, animators have combined 2D and 3D animation to add volume and make the animation look more real.

This technique allows you to take a flat object, previously seen from one side, and make it visible from all sides. Although it is combined with 2D animation, the main type of animation is still 2D animation.

This is a detailed explanation of what is 2D animation. Based on the above explanation, 2D animation is one of the tools to promote a business interestingly. However, producing 2D animation requires special skills, requiring much energy and time.

VISUWISU, as a creative asset service provider, is ready to help you produce beautiful 2D animation or a variety of other creative needs, such as design, video, copywriting, and more. Contact VISUWISU and discuss your creative business needs now!