The Foundations
of Life
Disney's 12 Principles are the grammar of animation. But how do you find them in the real world? Learn how to spot Squash, Stretch, and Anticipation in everyday motion.
Evidence in Motion
We have curated thousands of clips specifically tagged by principle. Study these examples to see how academic concepts manifest in professional work.
Principle 07: Arcs
Principle 07: Arcs
Analyzing natural paths of motion in character performance.
Principle 08: Secondary Action
Principle 08: Secondary Action
Study how smaller details support the main movement.
Principle 10: Exaggeration
Principle 10: Exaggeration
Pushing the boundaries of physics for clearer communication.
Studying
Squash & Stretch
It’s the most famous principle, but also the most misunderstood. Real-world "Squash and Stretch" is found in the compression of muscle and the flexibility of the face. Our library curates these moments so you can see the physics behind the fun.
Look for Compression
Find the "impact" frame where a body absorbs force.
Track the Volume
Notice how a character never loses mass, only shifts it.
Study the Smear
Analyze high-speed transitions between poses.
Master Every Principle
We've categorized our entire library by the 12 Principles.
Become a master
of the craft.
Join the world's best animators and start studying the foundations of motion with the highest quality reference available.