Animators of all experience levels
could use a little extra push once in a while. Whether you’re
considering a future as an animator, looking to hone your current
skills or simply enjoy an amusing cartoon, animation blogs are a
great source of education, inspiration and entertainment.
The world of animation is constantly
evolving so it’s important to stay up-to-date in order to stay on
your game. Rather than spending hours scouring the internet to
educate yourself on industry news and trends, keeping tabs on
reputable animation blogs will help you keep a pulse on the industry
in a fraction of the time.
But which animation blogs are worth
following? That’s where we come in. We identified a handful of the
most renowned blogs in the world of animation so you know what’s
worth your time. This collection will provide you with the motivation
you’ve been looking for to take your love of animation to the next
level. Take a look at our selections!
Top animation blogs
1. 11 Second Club
Why follow? This blog hosts a monthly
2D Character Animation competition, which is a great
opportunity for aspiring animators to gain some momentum in the
industry. A new audio file is provided each month and participants
are tasked with animating a character that appropriately interprets
the audio. Voting takes place at the conclusion of each month to
determine the winner, who will receive a professional critique from
Animation Mentor.
You can also follow 11 Second Club on
Facebook!
2. Animation Anomaly
Why follow? This blog was started by
Charles Kenny, a civil engineer with a special interest in animation.
Animation Anomaly offers a unique outlook on the world on animation
and focuses heavily on the future of the industry. Kenny’s posts
span a variety of topics, from podcasts and predictions to opinions
and analyses.
You can also follow Animation Anomaly
on Twitter and Google+ and Flickr!
3. Animation Magazine
Why follow? This is the official
website of Animation Magazine, a publication covering all facets of
the animation industry. The site posts regular articles about
everything from visual effects and Multimedia Web Solutions to
licensing and tech reviews. In addition, followers have access to a
handful of handy resources like job boards, event calendars and movie
guides.
You can also follow Animation Magazine
on Facebook and Twitter!
4. Animation Mentor
Why follow? This blog was launched by
three friends who asked a simple question, “ if we were to start
over, how would we want to learn?” They felt the need to connect
aspiring animators with industry experts, which is exactly the
purpose of Animation Mentor. It’s chock-full of tips and tricks,
tutorials and advice from the pros.
You can also follow Animation Mentor on
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!
5. Animation Physics
Why follow? This blog is a free
educational resource for all types of animators—from traditional to
computer graphics (CG) to stop-motion. Its purpose is to explain how
the principles and laws of physics apply to the world of animation.
It achieves this goal by providing multiple tutorials, which are
organized into four categories: basic animation, character animation,
effects and character effects animation and lighting and visual
effects.
6. Animation Scoop
Why follow? This blog is run by Jerry
Beck, an animation producer and former studio executive with
Nickelodeon Movies and Disney. Needless to say, his industry
expertise is reflected in the resources and articles published on
Animation Scoop. Beck and other contributors offer their perspective
on upcoming films and other industry news.
You can also follow Animation Scoop on
Facebook and Twitter!
7. Animation World Network
Why follow? According to its website,
the Animation World Network (AWN) is “the largest animation-related
publishing group on the Internet”, making it a must-read for
animators of all backgrounds. This blog covers a wide array of
subjects such as animator profiles, licensing, current events in the
field, CGI and other animation technologies. It’s also a great
resource for job-seekers and employers.
You can also follow AWN on Twitter and
Facebook!
8. Canadian Animation Blog
Why follow? This site began in 2008 as
an online project to provide the Canadian animation community a
universal platform to showcase their work and has since evolved into
a hub of helpful content for animators everywhere. It’s a great
source of education and inspiration as it frequently features
animated shorts, event coverage, storyboards, photos and interviews
from industry pros.
You can also follow Canadian Animation
Blog on Google+ and YouTube!
9. Cartoon Brew
Why follow? Cartoon Brew has been
delivering the latest news, trends and ideas in animation daily since
2004. With article topics ranging from traditional techniques like
hand-drawn and stop motion to cutting-edge computer animation and
visual effects, there’s something for everyone on this blog. It’s
also a great way to stay up-to-date on news from animation empires
like Disney, Dreamworks and Pixar.
You can also follow Cartoon Brew on
Facebook, Twitter and Youtube!
10. Disney Times
Why follow? Anyone who has any interest
in animation knows that The Walt Disney Company was instrumental in
elevating the animation industry. The Disney Times is dedicated to
sharing any news pertaining to the animation enterprise, including
films, theme parks, Flash Animation Design,
cruise lines, merchandise and video
games. Followers will have a behind-the-scenes look at one of the
most powerful animation studios in the industry.
You can also follow Disney Times on
Twitter!
11. Motionographer
Why follow? This blog aims to “be a
source of inspiration for filmmakers, animators and designers.”
They do so by sharing inspiring work, highlighting influential
studios and professionals in the field and providing commentary that
sparks discussion about the creative process. Motionographer is also
home to a heap of helpful tutorials, coverage of industry events and
an endless supply of inspiration.
You can also follow Motionographer on
Facebook and Twitter!
12. On Animation
Why follow? This blog is all about
spotlighting inspiring content that is … you guessed it—on
animation! Aside from the numerous videos posted daily, followers
also have access to exclusive insight and analysis from animation
pros. Content is categorized to make it easy to find information
based on your focus. On Animation also provides information on
industry events, useful tools and gadgets and training programs
You can also follow On Animation on
Facebook and Twitter!
13. Pixar Times
Why follow? Pixar is arguably the
biggest name in the game when it comes to animation today. This blog
covers everything that deals with the animation empire from
characters and films to video games and merchandise. The Pixar Times,
the sister site of The Disney Times, has emerged as a leading
provider of Pixar news, according to its website.
You can also follow Pixar Times on
Facebook and Twitter!
14. Speaking of Animation
Why follow? This blog is the product of
four professional animators currently working in the industry. Their
objective is to give back to the animation community by providing
education, inspiration and entertainment through podcasts. Speaking
of Animation is a collection of conversations with fellow animators
that give listeners a sneak peek at the industry.
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