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Lesson 2 of 7
  • Year 11

Introduction to animation: bringing digital art to life

I can create a short digital animation loop using frames, keyframes, and a timeline to bring my artwork to life.

Lesson 2 of 7
New
New
  • Year 11

Introduction to animation: bringing digital art to life

I can create a short digital animation loop using frames, keyframes, and a timeline to bring my artwork to life.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Animation is created by sequencing images over time.
  2. Frames and keyframes are the building blocks of digital animation.
  3. Timelines help animators to create the structure and sequence of an animation.

Keywords

  • Animation - the process of creating the illusion of movement by displaying a sequence of images or frames

  • Frame - a single still image in an animation sequence

  • Keyframe - a frame that marks a significant change in movement or design

  • Timeline - a digital workspace showing the order and duration of frames

Common misconception

Animation is just drawing moving pictures quickly.

Animation is carefully planned, using frames, keyframes, and digital tools to control timing, pace, and movement.


To help you plan your year 11 art and design lesson on: Introduction to animation: bringing digital art to life, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Keep demonstrations short and visual, show frame-by-frame changes clearly. Encourage pupils to test their animations frequently; seeing movement unfold motivates learners and helps them self-correct pacing and flow.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Computers or tablets with animation-capable software. Digital stylus or mouse. Sketchbooks and pencils for planning sequences.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is animation?

Only a written story or script without images
A single still photograph
Correct answer: Creating the illusion of movement by displaying a sequence of images or frames.
A type of sculpture made from clay

Q2.
Match the terms to their definitions:

Correct Answer:Frame,A single still image in an animation sequence

A single still image in an animation sequence

Correct Answer:Timeline,A digital workspace showing the order and duration of frames

A digital workspace showing the order and duration of frames

Correct Answer:Keyframe,A frame that marks a significant change in movement or design

A frame that marks a significant change in movement or design

Q3.
Why do animators use a storyboard?

Correct answer: To get a sense of the pace, flow, and direction of the animation
To decorate their studio walls with drawings
To replace the finished animation completely
To decide what music to listen to while they work

Q4.
Match the different types of animation to their descriptions.

Correct Answer:2D animation,hand drawn frames

hand drawn frames

Correct Answer:3D animation (CGI),digitally-made 3D models

digitally-made 3D models

Correct Answer:motion graphics,animated graphic design

animated graphic design

Correct Answer:rotoscoping,tracing over live-action footage

tracing over live-action footage

Q5.
True or false? A storyboard does not need to be made up of highly detailed and beautifully rendered images.

Correct Answer: True, Correct

Q6.
What are "loops" used for in animation?

To permanently freeze a character in one position
To erase mistakes from an animation
Correct answer: To create repetition, or reverse a sequence to save time re-animating.
To choose the colours for a background

Additional material

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