Getting Started with Animation

Welcome! If you’ve ever dreamed about bringing your own stories to life, you’re in the right place. This is your launchpad into animation—packed with beginner-friendly guides, hands-on projects, and tools that make the learning curve feel like a fun ride. No jargon, no gatekeeping—just clear, simple steps to get you moving from “I have no idea where to start” to “I’m actually animating!”

Pop your question into the search bar below or dive into the latest posts to find tips, tricks, and inspiration for every stage of your animation journey.

A vibrant, dynamic background featuring colorful film strips, stars, and bursts of light radiating from a central glowing reel. The scene conveys creativity and excitement, with floating film frames and abstract shapes suggesting movement and animation. Text on the left provides guidance about creating an animation reel, highlighting what to include and what to skip.

Your First Animation Reel: What to Include (and What to Skip)

Ready to make your first animation reel? Here’s exactly what to include (and what to skip), plus structure, length, and polish tips for beginners.

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Latest Posts in Getting Started

Alternative text: A 3D illustration featuring a blue humanoid figure, a cartoonish monkey character, and a 3D printer. The scene is set against a backdrop of abstract shapes and large leaves in shades of blue and purple.

Can You Animate Without Drawing? (Spoiler: Yes!)

You don’t need drawing chops to start animating. Explore beginner‑friendly paths—3D, stop motion, puppets, and more—and build real skills fast.

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Alternative text: A colorful digital illustration of a smiling young person with pink hair holding a pen, surrounded by floating screens and icons representing TV, YouTube, video games, and social media. The person stands behind a bright banner displaying "2025–2026." The background is filled with dynamic lines and vibrant colors, creating an energetic and creative atmosphere.

The 2025–2026 Job Outlook for Animators: Why Now’s a Great Time to Get Started

Animation is booming in 2025 and 2026—more jobs, more platforms, and more chances for beginners to break in. Here’s why now’s a great time…

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Alt text: Illustration comparing digital and traditional animation. On the left, a sketchbook with a drawing of a cartoon rabbit and a pencil represents traditional animation. On the right, a tablet displaying a colorful digital splash represents digital animation. A banner across both reads "Digital vs. Traditional Animation: Which One?" Colored pencils and a stylus are placed in front of the sketchbook and tablet.

Digital vs. Traditional Animation: Which One Should You Try First?

Compare digital and traditional animation, their pros, cons, and find out which is the best starting point for your animation journey.

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Alt text: A colorful illustration showing a desk covered with animation sketches, pencils, and erasers. In the center, a sign reads "5 Beginner Animation Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)" in bold, playful lettering. The surrounding sketches feature cartoon characters in various poses.

5 Mistakes Beginners Make When Learning Animation (And How to Avoid Them)

From skipping the basics to comparing yourself to pros—here are 5 animation mistakes most beginners make and how to avoid them so you can…

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Alt text: Split image comparing 2D and 3D animation. On the left, a sketchbook with a pencil drawing of a robot character represents 2D animation, with the text "Should you 2D or". On the right, a 3D-rendered robot character stands in front of a computer screen displaying animation software, with the text "You learn 3D animation first?". The image visually asks whether to learn 2D or 3D animation first.

Should You Learn 2D or 3D Animation First?

Not sure if you should start with 2D or 3D animation? This beginner-friendly guide helps you decide based on your goals, interests, and learning…

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What Is Frame-by-Frame Animation? A Simple Breakdown for Beginners

Animation can look like magic, but frame-by-frame animation is the kind where you make the magic—one drawing at a time. […]

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