Animating non-humanoid characters offers a unique creative challenge for 3D animators. These characters, which can range from fantastical beasts to alien lifeforms and mechanical entities, break away from the familiar human form. Bringing them to life convincingly requires an intricate understanding of anatomy, movement, and...
When you think of your favourite animations, what makes them memorable? Often it’s the style – the bold lines, dreamy watercolours, or gritty realism. But can an artist own a style in the eyes of the law? Copyright law is meant to protect creativity, yet...
Johannesburg is rapidly establishing itself as a vibrant hub for animation, making significant contributions to South Africa’s cultural and creative economy. The animation studios in Johannesburg are leveraging the city’s rich cultural diversity and blending it with innovative storytelling techniques to produce content that resonates...
For any 3D animator, creating believable, natural character deformations is a core part of delivering expressive animation. Blend shapes and morph targets are powerful tools that allow you to achieve precision and nuance in facial and body expressions that skeletal rigs alone cannot match. Whether...
Rendering remains the backbone of animation production, yet infrastructural bottlenecks hamper its potential across the country. Animators in South Africa frequently encounter delays caused by power cuts, limited hardware, bandwidth constraints, and lack of technical training. These factors not only slow production pipelines but also...
The global animation industry is forecast to surpass US $391 billion in 2025, with 3D animation leading as one of the most in-demand creative skill sets. For every 3D animator, deciding between freelancing and studio employment shapes not only day-to-day work but long-term career growth and financial...
The South African animation industry has experienced a dramatic transformation over the past decade. For every animation studio in South Africa, the rise of streaming has reshaped how stories are financed, produced, distributed, and consumed. This shift has introduced fresh possibilities while posing new strategic...
The world of 2D animation is an intricate blend of artistry, storytelling, and technical mastery. Each project begins as a fleeting idea, transforming through structured processes into emotionally resonant moving images. For 2D animators, understanding each stage of this journey is critical for creating engaging,...
The animation industry in Johannesburg has long been a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, contributing significantly to South Africa’s cultural economy. However, the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic forced animation studios in Johannesburg to rethink their operations and strategies to survive...
For decades, the 12 principles of animation have been the bedrock of visual storytelling, guiding animators in breathing life into characters and scenes. Developed in the era of hand-drawn film, they were never intended for a digital future—but here we are. Today’s 3D animators must...