There are a variety of ways to create two-dimensional animations. You can draw frames and create a flip book, move around colored sand, or build paper characters you can animate by moving the pieces of their bodies. Creating one of these animated dolls can be done quickly. Although they have restricted movement, they are easy to use to for simple animations.
Instructions
1. Create a 2D doll out of card stock by drawing each section of the doll on separate cards. For example, if you are creating a humanoid doll make sure that the head, body, upper arms, lower arms, upper legs, lower legs, hands and feet are all drawn separately. Color the doll with art markers. Let the cards dry and cut out each section of the doll, using scissors to start the cut and an Exacto knife for detail work.
2. Cut a small circular hole in the top and bottom of each piece. Using black thread, tie each piece together so that the arms are connected to the upper left and right of the body, the head is connected to the top of the body, the legs connected to the bottom right and left sides of the body, and the hands and feet are attached to the ends of the arms and legs.
3. Set up your digital camera on a tripod facing straight down. Place the doll on a piece of construction paper or a background you have created. Check the view finder to make sure that there are no shadows being cast on the doll and the paper. If so, move some desk lamps around the perimeter of the doll and background.
4. Animate your character by moving each limb a tiny amount and then taking a picture. You can make your character jump by first bringing the character into a squat and then slowly lifting the character and extending the legs. Animate the character waving by moving the arm back and forth, taking a picture each time you move the character.
5. Upload the photos into a program like iMovie or Movie Magic. You can import the pictures and put them in order to create animations with your computer. Place a track of music into the animation and you have created a simple but effective 2D animation.
