How can I effectively use anticipation to enhance character movement?

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How can I effectively use anticipation to enhance character movement?

Asked on Dec 27, 2025

Answer

Anticipation is a key animation principle that prepares the audience for an action, making character movement more believable and engaging. By using anticipation, you can create a visual cue that signals the character's intention, enhancing the clarity and impact of the movement.

Example Concept: Anticipation involves a preparatory movement that occurs before the main action, such as a character crouching before jumping. This principle helps to set up the audience's expectations, making the subsequent action feel more dynamic and natural. By exaggerating the anticipation, you can emphasize the character's intent and add dramatic flair to the movement.

Additional Comment:

Anticipation can be subtle or exaggerated depending on the action's context and desired impact.
Use anticipation to guide the viewer's eye and focus attention on the upcoming action.
Consider the character's personality and physicality when designing anticipation movements.
Anticipation helps to create a rhythm in animation, leading to smoother transitions between actions.

✅ Answered with Animation best practices.

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