Animation Terminologies Every Student Must Know

Animation Terminologies Every Student Must Know

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Feb 28, 2025 12:00 PM IST | #B.Des

With the growth of digital media, animation has become a field of interest among the younger generation. Many students want to make a career in animation design after 12th. However, a successful career requires students to know certain animation terminologies used in professional settings. Knowing these animation terms can help them get a good start in their career. To know more about terminologies used in animation courses, read the full article.

This Story also Contains
  1. Common Animation Terminologies
  2. 3D Animation Terminology
  3. 2D Animation Terms
Animation Terminologies Every Student Must Know
Animation Terminologies Every Student Must Know

Common Animation Terminologies

Animation can be of many types, out of which 3D animation and 2D animation are important. We have covered these types of animation terminologies that will help the students understand the difference better. The words might overlap in the categories as they all aim to create entertainment out of sketches. Read further to understand the important terms in each category of animation.

3D Animation Terminology

Professionals use the 3D animation terminologies in office settings to convey their ideas to others. Here are some important 3D animation terminologies that one should know.

Animatic: Also known as Leica, is an animation terminology, which means a mixture of audio and visual peace which mixes the storyboard with the audio track.

Breakdown: The word refers to motion graphics terminology which refers to the post describing how the character's object moves from the key position to another position.

Eccentric Action: At times very fast and small movements cannot be animated normally and this 3d animation term is used there. Actions like shivering, shaking, little finger gestures etc.

Frame: It is an animation terminology in which an image formed with the succession of images is known as a frame.

Followthrough: When a character changes the direction and parts of a body continue in the direction as it was previously doing which is known as followthrough.

GUI: The full form of this 3d animation term is Graphic User Interface which is a computer program that acts as a user interface and uses the set of images and graphic objects to show the information and actions available on the interface. The mean objective of this software is to provide a visual environment to communicate with the operating system of a computer.

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Layout: The stage in which the positions of the characters are decided along with the staging and timing, angle and position of the camera etc are planned. The effect of lights and shadows is also decided in this phase.

Monologue: Monologue is a 3D animation terminology which is also used in literature studies. It means that the speech which is given by a single person to the receiver(s) cannot be the character itself.

Pipeline: The 3D animation term Pipeline refers to the structure through which a shot needs to pass to the studio and production.

Silhouette: The schematic view or outline of an object without any kind of detail is known as a silhouette. It is an animation terminology like the shadow of an object which is also used in photography.

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Spacing: It is motion graphics terminology, and it states the manner in which an object moves to cover a distance from one position to the next position is known as spacing.

Thought Process: The steps through which a character has to pass in order to reach the thought or emotion that's being represented is known as the thought process.

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2D Animation Terms

These terms are usually used by 2D animators creating unique animations. Find below some of the commonly used 2D animation terms.

Animation Layers: It is an animation terminology which means the separation of animated characters into several layers that can help save a lot of time. In this process only the body part in which the action takes place a redrawn while the other parts remain static.

Bouncing Ball: It is a motion graphics terminology and an exercise that helps the animator to learn the timings, facing, volume, character, squash, and stretch of an object. This is an exercise that most of the animators go through at the beginning stage.

Cel: The short form for celluloid is Cel. It is a transparent sheet or piece of film used to trace the final drawings in traditional animation. This Celluloid sheet is laid over the final drawing and the inks are painted and photographed.

Drawing Tablets: These tablets or 'digitisers' help as modern drawing tools as they allow the animators to draw directly from the animation software for a paperless production.

Field of View: This refers to the observable environment or world which can be seen by the camera at one moment.

Flip Drawings: We are sure you have drawn flip drawings in childhood if you are an animation enthusiast. It is an animation terminology which is a series of drawings which are made to get a rough idea of how the scene would look after being filmed.

Key Poses: One of the most important to the animation term is the key post where the drawings or frames in the same are to be done first. These are the poses which are most dramatic and interesting, often involving the most important scenes where a character needs to be in a certain position.

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Light Table: This is a semi-transparent pane of glass on a desk where the light source is kept underneath. The 2D animators use these light tables to create drawings one after another as they are easier to trace.

Mask: The shape that is used to cover up certain areas of an image by the use of life action or real photography is called a Mask.

Persistence of Vision:
It is an animation terminology which is the phenomenon where the human eye retains an image for a fraction of a second after it has disappeared, which makes the sequence of images which is played one after another appear as a movement.

Rotoscope: The process in which the life action footage is manually tested to achieve an artistic yet realistic look is called rotoscope.

Tradigital: This portmanteau word comes from 'traditional' and 'digital' it refers to the traditional way of drawing animation which is combined with the production which is done by the computer itself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the main types of animation?

The main types of animation are cel animation, 2D animation, 3D animation, stop motion animation etc.

2. What is animation skill?

Animation skills include creativity, drawing, patience, and teamwork.

3. What is called animation?

A series of drawings when played continuously create an effect of motion known as animation.

4. What is an animator called?

An animator is called a motion graphic artist. 

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Explore Top Universities Across Globe

University of Essex, Colchester
 Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
University College London, London
 Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT
The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
 Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, Post Code EH8 9YL
University of Bristol, Bristol
 Beacon House, Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU
University of Nottingham, Nottingham
 University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD

Questions related to B.Des

Have a question related to B.Des ?

1. MIT Institute of Design, Pune

2. Pearl Academy (Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru)

3. Unitedworld Institute of Design, Gandhinagar

4. Srishti Manipal Institute, Bengaluru

5. ISDI School of Design, Mumbai

6. Lovely Professional University, Punjab

7. Chandigarh University

8. Arch College of Design and Business, Jaipur

9. Amity School of Fashion Technology, Noida

10. RV University, Bengaluru

Currently, NSUT does not offer a B.Des. program. However, other institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and IIITDM Jabalpur offer B.Des. through UCEED.

Expected UCEED Cutoffs (General Category):

IIT Bombay: Around Rank 14

IIT Delhi: Around Rank 35

IIITDM Jabalpur: Around Rank 165

To pursue B.Tech or B.Des through JEECUP 2025, you need to prepare according to the specific group’s syllabus relevant to your chosen course.

Syllabus for B.Tech via JEECUP (Group A & K)

  • Group A (Diploma in Engineering & Technology)

    • Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

    • Level: Based on Class 10 syllabus (UP Board or equivalent)

    • Key Topics:

      • Mathematics: Real numbers, polynomials, linear equations, quadratic equations, arithmetic progressions, triangles, circles, statistics, etc.

      • Physics: Motion, heat, electricity, magnetism, solar system, etc.

      • Chemistry: Classification of matter, fuels, chemical reactions, acids, bases, salts, etc. (https://www.pw.live/state-prep/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://www.careerpower.in/jeecup-syllabus.html) (https://www.collegebatch.com/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup) (https://www.pasteurinstituteindia.com/up-polytechnic-jeecup-syllabus/)

  • Group K (Lateral Entry to 2nd Year of Engineering Diploma)

    • Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Engineering subjects

    • Level: Based on Class 10 & 12 syllabus. (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup)

Syllabus for B.Des via JEECUP (Likely Group C or Related Group)

  • Group C (Fashion Designing, Garment Technology, Home Science, Textile Design)

    • Subjects: English & Hindi Comprehension, Reasoning & Intelligence, General Awareness

    • Level: Based on Class 10 syllabus

    • Key Topics:

      • Comprehension (English and Hindi)

      • Logical reasoning and intelligence

      • General awareness (current events, basic knowledge) (https://www.collegebatch.com/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup) (https://www.pasteurinstituteindia.com/up-polytechnic-jeecup-syllabus/)

Note: If B.Des is offered, it will likely fall under Group C or a similar group. Always confirm the exact group and syllabus from the official JEECUP brochure for your target year and course.

General Preparation Tips

  • The JEECUP syllabus is based on UP Board Class 10 and 12 curricula for most engineering and design-related courses (https://www.pw.live/state-prep/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup) .

  • Download the official syllabus PDF from the JEECUP website for detailed topics.

  • Focus on the core subjects relevant to your chosen group.

  • Practice previous years’ question papers for better understanding of the pattern and difficulty level. (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup)

Summary Table

Course Group Subjects to Study Syllabus Level
B.Tech A/K Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (+Engineering for K) Class 10/12
B.Des C English & Hindi Comprehension, Reasoning, Awareness Class 10

Check the official JEECUP 2025 brochure for the most accurate and updated syllabus for your specific course and group before starting your preparation.

You can visit above links for further details.

(https://www.pw.live/state-prep/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://www.collegebatch.com/exams/jeecup-syllabus) (https://collegedunia.com/exams/jeecup)

Hello Saumya,

As of now, Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) has not officially released the specific opening and closing UCEED ranks for B.Des admissions for candidates from outside the Delhi region. The available information primarily focuses on the selection process and seat allocation.

Selection Priorities for B.Des at NSUT:

  1. First Priority: Candidates who have cleared the UCEED exam conducted by IIT Bombay.

  2. Second Priority: Candidates with a rank in a national-level design entrance examination (or allied fields) for a four-year course at any centrally funded institute/university.

  3. Third Priority: Candidates with a rank in a state-level design entrance examination (or allied fields) for a four-year course at any state government-funded institute/university.

For Outside Delhi Region Candidates , 15% of the seats are allocated.

Given the limited availability of seats and the prioritization criteria, securing admission as an outside Delhi candidate is competitive. It's advisable to aim for a high UCEED rank to enhance your chances.

Recommendations:

  • Regularly Check Official Sources: Keep an eye on NSUT's official website and the UCEED portal for any updates on cutoff ranks and admission criteria.

  • Prepare Thoroughly for UCEED: Achieving a high score will significantly improve your prospects, especially given the competitive nature of the program.

  • Consider Backup Options: Explore other reputable design institutes that accept UCEED scores to broaden your opportunities.


I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries then feel free to ask. We will be happy to assist you.

Thank You and wishing you a bright future ahead.


No, IPU (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University) does not accept NID DAT Prelims score for admission to the B.Des (Bachelor of Design) program.

Instead, IPU conducts its own entrance test or may consider CUET (UG) scores for B.Des admissions, depending on the latest admission guidelines. Always refer to the university's official prospectus for the year you're applying to for the final admission criteria.

NIT DAT (https://www.shiksha.com/design/articles/nid-admissions-2025-colleges-accepting-nid-entrance-exam-scores-for-bdes-mdes-courses-blogId-13097)

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