10 Types of Animation with Examples and How They Work

Since its conception, animation has evolved so much. From turning lines, shapes and ideas into some extraordinary moving art. From our favorite 90s cartoons like Tom and Jerry & Oswald to Walt Disney and Studio Ghibli, animation has been a medium of communication and entertainment altogether.

Not only entertainment, animation has evolved in various sectors including marketing, advertising, brand campaigns, films, and so on. Popular brands like Coca-Cola and Kelloggs’ were the firsts to use animation in marketing and ads. Then came Amazon, Starbucks, Nike, Microsoft and Slack.

As technology continues to evolve, there is a diverse range of animation styles and applications that you should know. In this blog, we are going to explore 10 most popular types of animation and how they are used in different fields of entertainment.

Traditional Animation

The traditional animation technique – sometimes called a flipbook animation is like a flipbook that moves. Traditional Animation involves drawing every single frame by hand and yes – every single element by hand. Animators usually draw 12 or 24 frames per second (fps). When these drawings are put together, it creates a motion.

Popular examples of Traditional Animation are films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and the 1994 Lion King.

2D Vector-Based Animation

A traditional animation type with a modern twist. Animators use Adobe Animate to create digital skeletons and instead of drawing the images, frame-wise, they manipulate vector graphics. Vector graphics are scalable and can be easily adjustable. 2D Animation works well when animators create digital skeletons for characters. They move the parts using keyframes.

Read Also: What is Motion Graphics Animation? Uses in Marketing and Media

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CGI or 3D Animation

CGI or Computer Generated Imagery popularly known as 3D animation adds a third-dimension or depth to the animation. Popular movies like Moana, Elemental, Frozen and Coco are some of the best examples of 3D Animation.

Animators use 3D Models to create a digital skeleton. Once rigged, they animate movement and add lighting and effects for realism. Toy Story 1995 and Avatar became popular with their groundbreaking motion capture.

Stop Motion Animation

Have you ever heard of Wallace and Gromit or Caroline? This film franchise is the best example of stop motion animation. Stop Motion Animation is a type where objects are physically manipulated in small increments between frames to simulate movement.

To create a stop motion animation, a scene is set up with models and every slight movement, a photo is taken. When the photos are played in a rapid succession, it creates a motion. That’s stop motion animation.

Did you know for Caroline – animators used around 20,000 photos to create a 100-minute runtime!

Animation is evolving and is in high demand by businesses and media houses too. If you are willing to pursue a career in animation, then AAFT might be the right place for you. At AAFT School of Animation, we offer various degree and diploma programs to help you master your skills.

From conceptualization to character building and storytelling, you will learn the step-by-step process of creating lifelike animated characters. At the end of the course, you will be able to compete on a global platform in the animation and multimedia industry.

Read Also: What is 3D Animation? Process, Applications & Examples

Claymation

Popular cartoon TV shows like Shaun the Sheep and Pingu are examples of claymation aka clay animation. Claymation is a type of stop motion that has been around for decades, but retains a timeless appeal.

In claymation, animators use sculpt and clay mold and turn them into various shapes and poses, capturing each change through a series of photographs. As the characters evolve across frames, their movements convey a tactile and expressive quality unique to this form of animation.

Typography Animation

This animation type is dated back to 1899, when France created an ad featuring moving letters. 60 years later, typography animation became popular due to Alfred Hitchcock’s innovative use of animated texts in films. Typography refers to the animation of words and data, usually in time with a voiceover. For corporate presentations to music videos – you name it and typography animation can fit in anywhere.

Read Also: CGI in Filmmaking: Evolution, Impact & Future Trends

Various tools like Adobe After Effects allows designers to convey information hassle-free to engage with our audiences. Typography animation is popular for presenting stats, e-learning content and training employees in the workplace.

Motion Graphics

Motion Graphics features a lot of text and simple graphics. Designers create motion graphics to increase the engagement by animating text, GIFs and static images. This versatile medium finds applications in advertisements, animated sequences and user interfaces and various digital platforms.

Motion graphics enhance brand communication and storytelling, making complex information more engaging and digestible for audiences.

Read Also: Impact of Animation and VFX on Advertising and Marketing

Flipbook Animation

In this animation type, where every element is drawn on separate pages of the notebook. Once the pages are flipped quickly, you have your own ‘manual video.’ While flipbook animation is not the ideal type for marketing, it can be a great option for quick storytelling and entertainment for the target group. Flipbook animation is often used in kids magazines and storybooks.

Whiteboard Animation

This is the classic ‘hand drawing on a white slate’ style often used in explainer videos and e-learning. This animation type draws out elements in real time. Often you have seen YouTube videos using elements and real-time drawings for better explanation. In fact, whiteboard animation became popular in 2005 after YouTube was introduced to the masses. As per eLearning Industry Experts, whiteboard videos or animation styles increase information retention by 15%.

Rotoscope Animation

Also known as the frame-by-frame animation where animators use live-action footage and put them into frames equally to create realistic movement of the characters. This type of animation is known as Rotoscope Animation. Although this animation is extremely time consuming and expensive, the results can be spectacular.

Read Also: The Evolution of 3D Animation: What’s New in 2025?

Frame-by-frame animation offers control over every moment and expression, making it an ideal type for character animations. Disney characters like Snow White and 2006 movie, A Scanner Darkly are the best examples of Rotoscope Animation.

Conclusion

Be it crazy Marvel movies or a quick explainer on YouTube or brands creating something extraordinary for their customers, animation will always play a crucial role in the coming years. Each type has its own charm, technique, purpose and uniqueness. Understanding the type can open a whole new appreciation for the art form. 

So next time you’re watching a cartoon or admiring a motion graphic, remember: behind every frame is a team of artists, engineers, and storytellers turning imagination into reality—one frame at a time.

Are you thinking of learning animation and pursuing a full-time career? AAFT School of Animation is just your place to learn and master the art of animation. Here, you will learn about CGI, VFX and traditional techniques of animation. We do offer hands-on experience, industry exposure, expert mentorship and masterclasses by renowned animator and industry dean Charuvi Aggrawal to help you understand the nitty-gritty of animation and its basics.

Now wait no more. Explore your creativity, shape your future and animate your dreams with AAFT!