This week, after considering several possible approaches, I decided to experiment with flip books as a step back into animation. I chose this medium because I felt it would give me a hands-on understanding of how animation works, especially the repetitiveness of frame-by-frame motion without having to dive straight into the more technical side of software-based animation. Flipbooks seemed like a way to explore the foundations of movement in a much more tangible and simple way.
I created two different flipbooks. The first followed a simple tutorial I found online, featuring a stickman running, jumping, and flipping. This one had 22 frames and was my introduction to how timing, pacing, and repetition function in animation. Surprisingly, because the stickman was not meant to change a lot over the images, it became quite frustrating to repetitively draw him and then compare him to the older models to make sure they looked cohesive.
The second flipbook was my own drawing, but a very commonly found motif in flip books which is from seed to bloom “animation”, which was longer with 35 frames, and more fluid in concept. I used A4 printer paper, cut it down into A6-sized pieces, and drew each frame with a simple graphite pencil. The printer paper would also stick together making it much less smooth.
While the process was definitely rewarding, I found it quite exhausting. The biggest challenge by far was maintaining consistency, especially keeping the drawing aligned from one page to the next. I quickly discovered how small variations can break the illusion of motion. The work was also incredibly repetitive, which was both helpful and frustrating. It gave me insight into the labor involved in even the simplest animations, but at the same time, it was mentally tiring and time-consuming
Of the two flipbooks, I enjoyed creating the stickman one more. It was a fun and dynamic sequence, and it kept me engaged. However, the flower animation turned out to be more satisfying visually which is probably because the growth felt smooth and meaningful, and the transition was easier to follow.
One of the biggest things I learned is that animation takes way more work than I expected even when working with something as simple as pencil and paper. This process has made me appreciate just how much time and care goes into each frame. Even though things didn’t always “click” for me and I still feel very new to the process, I came out of the experience with a deeper appreciation for the craft.
Reflecting on what went well, I was proud that I managed to complete both flipbooks, and that I pushed through the difficulties even when I felt stuck. On the flip side, I know that there’s a lot I could improve especially in terms of drawing technique and motion continuity. The characters and transitions could be more fluid, and I would like to eventually integrate more complex movements.
As I thought about where to go from here, I started to consider GIFs as a potential next step. They feel like a natural evolution from flipbooks still rooted in frame-by-frame animation, but with the possibility of digitizing the frames and experimenting with looping, timing, and motion effects. I’m now considering scanning each flipbook page and compiling them into simple animated GIFs.
In summary, this experiment with flip books helped me slow down and understand the basics of movement, sequence, and storytelling in animation. While I found the process difficult and still have a lot to learn, it sparked my interest in going further perhaps not just with flipbooks or traditional animation, but also with hybrid digital methods that might better suit my creative process.