6 Best Practices for Impactful Animation

Hi! I’m Giorgio Rodriguez, Lead Animator at Forge Studios. My career started in the entertainment industry over 20 years ago as a background and character artist for television series. It was then I discovered my true passion for animation.  

Fast forward to 12 years later, also the length of my time at Forge (so far), I’ve had the opportunity of contributing to a wide range of projects, such as League of Legends, Spyro, Crash Bandicoot and Angry Birds, to name a few. 

Over these years, I’ve learned many valuable lessons that have shaped my approach to animation. Now, I’m excited to share my top 6 “must-do’s” to help you on your journey – whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your work. 

Let’s dive in! 

#1: Expand your animation style 

Expanding your style range makes you more adaptable and versatile, opening more doors to have fun.  

Personally, I enjoy animating in all styles, but my absolute favourite is the crazy, over-the-top cartoon style of Tex Avery and Looney Tunes. There’s something special about breaking the rules – throwing physics out the window, pushing poses and shapes, and even exaggerating timing beyond reality. Basically just going wild!

Looney Tunes

Tex Avery

Although 3D animation is prevalent today, 2D animation remains my favourite. Its creative possibilities feel limitless, and the fact that it can be done with simple tools like a pencil and a post-it block is incredibly inspiring.  

#2 Use mock up animations for rapid feedback  

Mock-up animations are one of the best ways to communicate ideas quickly with a team, client, or director. Even rough animations can effectively convey intended motion and timing, making it easier to gauge feedback and make changes.  
 

 Castelvania: Lord of Shadows

#3 Plan before you animate 

Proper planning has been one of the most effective ways to optimise workflow without compromising quality. It also minimises errors throughout production.  

In addition, strong communication with other departments, such as design and programming, become increasingly crucial when delivering a high-quality product.  
   

#4 Learn multiple skills beyond animation 

Given how quickly the gaming and entertainment industries evolve, stepping beyond your comfort zone and acquiring new skills, while being a supportive and positive team player, can be a game changer.  

But, expanding your skillsets will ultimately make you more versatile and valuable. For example, if you’re an animator who also understands game design principles, modelling, rigging, lighting, and more, you’ll have a distinct advantage and stand out from the rest.  

#5 Treat your characters like real people 

Whether the style is realistic or stylized, characters must possess distinct traits that come through their animation. One way to achieve this is by reflecting their inner state, motivations, or even personality through movement. 
 
Before animating, consider asking yourself:  

• What motivates this character?  

• What are their emotional states?  

• How would these qualities manifest in their movements?  

• Would they be quick and bouncy, or swift and deliberate?  

Combining this thought process with strong use of references will help you create believable characters that we can relate on.  Here are two legendary examples.

Master Chief from Halo

Kratos from God of War

#6 Prioritise gameplay when designing animation 

The industry’s mantra “gameplay is king” holds true. A visually impressive game with breathtaking animation can still fail if the gameplay isn’t fun or captivating, let alone if the mechanics feel off.  
 
Creating a basic gameplay prototype early in development is essential. This prototype becomes the foundation for technical decisions. This way, the limitations and possibilities defined by the gameplay will naturally guide the game’s art style and animation choices.  

That wraps up my top 6 must-do’s in animation! I hope you found these best practices useful, and that our paths cross in the future! Feel free to connect with me on Instagram.  

For more information about Forge Studios and the services we offer, feel free to send us an e-mail at business@forgestudios.com and check out our Art Station portfolio here.