20 Animation Styles - Traditional, Trending, and Upcoming

"Animation is not the art of drawings that move but the art of movements that are drawn," said Norman McLaren, the Scottish-Canadian animator. 

Animation brings to life what seems impossible at times, giving new life to imagination and dreams. Filmmakers, storytellers, marketers, and professionals across various industries rely on it to get their message across to the audience.

Let's unfold the history of animation to understand its evolution.

History and Evolution of Animation

The history of animation traces its origins to early experiments with motion and storytelling. Ancient cave paintings, shadow puppetry in Asia, and medieval flipbooks showcased humanity's fascination with depicting movement. The 19th century saw the advent of optical devices like the thaumatrope, zoetrope, and phenakistoscope, which used spinning images to create the illusion of motion.

These innovations laid the groundwork for modern animation techniques.

Émile Cohl's Fantasmagorie considered the first fully animated film, marked a pivotal moment in 1908. It was followed by Winsor McCay's Gertie the Dinosaur in 1914, which introduced character-driven storytelling.

The 20th century brought significant advancements, from Walt Disney's introduction of synchronized sound in Steamboat Willie (1928) to the groundbreaking use of Technicolor in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Post-war eras saw the rise of television animation and Japanese anime, diversifying styles and audiences.

Likewise, the late 20th and 21st centuries ushered in computer-generated imagery (CGI), exemplified by Pixar's Toy Story (1995), the first entirely computer-animated feature. Today, animation spans traditional, 2D, 3D, and virtual reality formats, remaining a dynamic and versatile medium for storytelling, artistic expression, and effective marketing.

From traditional animation art styles to contemporary techniques, animation has come a long way.

Understanding Animation Styles

An animation style defines the look, feel, and technique used to bring a story to life. From the tactile quality of traditional cel animation to the sleek precision of CGI, each style carries unique storytelling potential.

These styles aren't just creative choices...

They are deeply rooted in decades-old technical approaches and tools.

Let's explore animation styles, from traditional techniques to contemporary methods.

5 Classic Animation Techniques: Where It All Began

1. Traditional Animation

Also known as hand-drawn animation, this method involves creating every frame individually by hand. Artists use sheets of transparent celluloid (cels) to draw characters and scenes.

Examples: Disney's early classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio.

Process: Artists could preview movements frame by frame using tools like flipbook animation. This meticulous process forms the foundation of animated art.

Tactile Quality: Traditional animation carries a warmth and imperfection that resonates emotionally with audiences.

2. Stop Motion Animation

This animation technique involves photographing physical objects frame by frame to simulate movement. These objects could be clay models (clay animation), puppets, or even sand (sand animation).

Classic Example: The Wallace & Gromit series is a hallmark of traditional stop-motion animation.

Tactile Quality: Stop motion offers a sense of realism and charm due to the physical manipulation of objects.

3. Rotoscope Animation

Developed by Max Fleischer in the early 20th century, this technique involves tracing live-action film footage frame by frame to create animated characters.

Examples: A Scanner Darkly and early Disney films.

Benefit: This approach creates realistic movement and expression.

4. Cutout Animation

Made famous by shows like South Park, cutout animation uses flat, static images that are moved incrementally to create movement.

Process: Artists create scenes using paper, fabric, or digital images.

5. Cel Animation

A subset of traditional animation techniques, this one involves painting on transparent cels and layering them over static backgrounds.

Significance: It allows for the reuse of backgrounds while focusing on character movement.

5 Modern Techniques: The Digital Animation

1. 2D Animation

Although rooted in traditional methods, 2D animation has transitioned into the digital realm with tools like Toon Boom and Adobe Animate.

Applications: Explainer videos, music videos, and animated cartoons.

Advantage: Faster production compared to hand-drawn animation while retaining a classic look.

2. 3D Animation

3D animation revolutionized the industry with Toy Story, the first fully CGI feature film.

Features: Animated characters are modeled in a 3D space, allowing for lifelike textures and lighting.

Applications: Animated movies, video games, and marketing videos.

3. Motion Graphics

Motion graphics, which are used predominantly in explainer videos and television commercials, combine typography, vector images, and static images to create animated sequences.

Example: Title sequences in films or animated infographics.

4. Whiteboard Animation

This style simulates the process of drawing on a whiteboard.

Purpose: Engages audiences with visual storytelling that feels organic and educational.

Applications: Corporate presentations and online learning modules.

5. Typography Animation

Here, text becomes the central focus, animated to convey meaning dynamically.

Use Case: Effective in marketing videos and music videos.

5 Emerging Techniques in the Animation Industry

1. Augmented Reality Animation

With the rise of AR, animations now blend with the real world, offering interactive experiences.

Applications: Mobile apps, interactive ads, and video games.

2. Sand Animation

An artist manipulates sand on a lightbox, capturing each change in position to create mesmerizing animated visuals.

Impact: Stunning visuals with a deeply personal, tactile aesthetic.

3. Mechanical Animation

Mechanical elements are used to create animated sequences.

Example: Early automata and puppetry.

4. Zoetrope Animation

One of the oldest animation techniques, the zoetrope, creates the illusion of motion by rapidly spinning a sequence of static images.

Historical Significance: A precursor to modern motion pictures.

5. Object Animation

This technique is a subgenre of stop motion that involves animating inanimate objects such as toys or household items.

Animation Across Industries

Each industry utilizes animation that is suitable for its requirements.

1. Animated Films and Feature-Length Movies

From classic cartoons to sophisticated 3D animated movies, the art of creating believable animated characters has captivated audiences worldwide.

Examples: Shrek, Frozen, Toy Story.

2. Marketing and Explainer Videos

Animation excels in simplifying complex ideas, making it a staple for engaging audiences in the corporate world.

3. Music Videos

Artists use animation to add visual intrigue and complement storytelling in music.

Example: Gorillaz music videos.

4. Video Games

Animation drives interactivity and immersion in gaming, with computer graphics and motion capture leading the way.

5. Television Commercials

From animated GIFs to elaborate campaigns, animation delivers stunning visuals that captivate.

Choosing the Right Animation Style

When picking an animation style, consider these four factors:

1. Purpose: Is it to entertain, inform, or promote? Why are we doing this? Is it to make people laugh, learn, or fall in love with your brand? Whether you're tickling funny bones, dropping knowledge bombs, or inspiring action, your "why" sets the tone.
2. Audience: Kids, professionals, or general viewers? Who’s watching? Are we dazzling curious kids, wowing sharp-suited professionals, or casting a net for everyone? Knowing your crowd is like knowing the punchline. It is everything.
3. Budget: Let’s talk dollars (or coins or clams). Traditional animation might be time-consuming, while motion graphics can be cost-effective. It is a labor of love (read: takes time), while motion graphics pack a punch without breaking the bank.
4. Medium: Are you creating for cinema, digital platforms, or augmented reality? Where’s the magic happening? Is this for the big screen, the small screen, or the super cool augmented reality realm? Picking the right stage ensures your story shines bright.

If you are uncertain about these metrics, book a free call with our consultant to define your purpose, pick the audience, set the budget, and choose the medium.

What's Expected: The Future of Animation

As we step into 2025, different types of animation styles continue to transform the way businesses, educators, and creators inspire their audiences. In fact, by 2026, experts anticipate the global 3D animation market value to surpass 27 billion dollars.

Likewise, new animation trends are emerging to meet the shifting nature of requirements. With the rise of digital tools and augmented reality animation, the possibilities for creating immersive and captivating audiences are endless.

Role of Technology in Animation

Computer software continues to enhance the speed and quality of creating animations, paving the way for more complex animations and stunning visuals in everything from feature-length films to bite-sized GIFs.

Animation has transformed from humble beginnings with flipbook animation and zoetropes to the digital powerhouses of today. Whether you're drawn to the charm of traditional cel animation or the polished precision of 3D animation, every technique contributes to the rich tapestry of this art form.

By understanding the history, tools, and popular animation techniques, creators can harness animation's power to inspire, inform, and entertain across media.

Ready to bring your vision to life?

At Creative Frontiers, we specialize in crafting stunning visuals and engaging animated experiences tailored to your needs. Whether you need a captivating explainer video, immersive 3D animations, or a classic hand-drawn animation project, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to start your animation journey.