5 latest trends in animation

Technology in animated films is constantly developing and evolving. The boundaries between real and computer-created images are becoming increasingly blurred. Media correlate with each other, and artists are outdoing each other in creating innovative applications and tricks. As of today, five major trends can be distinguished, influencing the shape of animated productions:

Mixing styles

Let’s discuss this trend using Pixar’s production “The Big Six” as an example. The animation combines Western and Eastern styles. Based on a Marvel comic book, the film tells the adventures of a Japanese superhero team. The intermingling of cultures is increasingly common and certainly breaks some conventions, templates in the picture.

Non-Photorealistic Rendering (NPR)

Increasing experimentation with imagery is translating into a gradual shift away from the pursuit of realism. 3d artists are bowing to traditional techniques, imitating hand-painted illustrations, for example. Animations are gaining more expression and breaking the rigid computer mannerism. A great example of NPR animation is the film Wall and Chains.

CG – generated stop motion

The stop-motion technique pioneered animated film and has taken various forms over the years. Today, after the computer revolution, a return to classic animation is evident. Animators combine real images with computer post-production, thus achieving a unique atmosphere. This is perfectly used in the film “The Boxtroll

Using a 3d printer

Virtually every month, more and more people in a wide variety of industries are discovering new areas of use for 3D printing. After the technology was bounced by hackers, makers, home builders and hobbyists out of the hands of a small group of rapid prototyping specialists, the subject has found its way into the hands of architects, fashion designers and even pastry chefs and confectioners! Of course, another group discovering the advantages of 3D printing technology are stop-motion film animators. While the question of the cost-effectiveness of printing individual frames of a scene versus traditional character animation is quite debatable, the end result can be electrifying!

Organic materials

Animation artists attempt to create the illusion of real organic objects. By layering textures and refining the fluidity of movement, the animations take on the characteristics of living objects.