How to Create 2D Animation

What is 2D Animation?

2D animation is the art of creating movement in a two-dimensional space—using only height and width (no depth). Think of classics like Looney Tunes, Studio Ghibli films, or modern explainer videos on YouTube.

Unlike 3D, which requires complex modeling and rendering, 2D is often simpler, more affordable, and more flexible—making it a great starting point for beginners.

Why Start with 2D Animation?

Here’s why it’s perfect for beginners:

• Easier to Learn – Less technical than 3D, but just as rewarding.

• Affordable Tools – Plenty of free or budget-friendly software available.

• Creative Freedom – Express your unique style with hand-drawn or digital art.

• Widely Useful – Used in ads, YouTube, games, learning content, and more.

• Teaches the Fundamentals – Timing, motion, and storytelling—skills that apply to all forms of animation.

Tools You’ll Need to Start

You don’t need a Pixar-sized studio. Just a few essentials:

Drawing Tablet

• Beginner: XP-Pen, Huion, Wacom Intuos

• Pro: Wacom Cintiq, Huion Kamvas Pro
  (Tip: You can even start with just an iPad or a mouse!)

Animation Software

• Pencil2D – Free, great for hand-drawn animation

• Krita – Free drawing + animation tools

• OpenToonz – Used by Studio Ghibli (and free!)

• Toon Boom Harmony – Industry standard for TV animation

• Adobe Animate – Perfect for vector/web animation

Pick one that fits your workflow—frame-by-frame drawing or digital puppets.

Step-by-Step: How to Create 2D Animation

1. Come Up With a Story

Every animation starts with an idea. It could be as simple as a bouncing ball or as deep as a sci-fi short film.

Ask: What do I want to say? Who are my characters? What happens beginning to end?

2. Write a Script

Lay out actions, dialogue, and pacing. Keep it short (under 1 minute = ~100–150 words).

Example:

• Scene 1: The sun rises.

• Scene 2: A cat stretches.

• Scene 3: The cat chases a butterfly.

3. Create a Storyboard

A visual roadmap. Stick figures or rough sketches are fine!
Include:

• Scene number

• Sketch of action

• Notes on dialogue or movement

4. Design Characters & Backgrounds

Keep characters simple—easy to move, clear shapes, big expressions.
Backgrounds can be static at first (less work for beginners).

5. Choose Your Animation Style

• Frame-by-Frame – Draw every frame (smooth but time-consuming).

• Cut-Out – Move pieces around like a paper puppet.

• Rigged – Add a “skeleton” to control movement.

Beginners: Start with frame-by-frame or cut-out.

6. Animate!

• Start with keyframes (main poses).

• Add in-betweens (smooth transitions).

• Use onion-skinning to see previous/next drawings.

• Pro tip: Work on “twos” (1 drawing for every 2 frames) for smoother flow.

7. Add Sound

Sound effects and music make it come alive.
Free sources: Freesound.org, YouTube Audio Library, Bensound.com.

8. Export & Share

Formats:

• MP4 (best for sharing)

• GIF (for loops/memes)

• MOV (high quality)

Upload to YouTube, Instagram, or Vimeo—or even enter short film festivals.

 Final Thoughts

2D animation is the perfect entry point into the animation world—accessible, creative, and fun. Start small, keep practicing, and don’t stress about perfection. Every frame is a step forward.

So grab your tablet (or even just a pencil), pick a story, and start animating today.

Which part of the process are you most excited to try first—storyboarding, character design, or animating?