Traditional animation or 2D animation opened its eyes in 2d animation studios. Thus it started a great industry. 2d animation was produced using hand-drawn pictures in small 2D animation studios. The difference between 2D and 3D animation lays on the z-axis which creates a dimension. In 2D animations, characters are drawn and moved in a two-dimensional environment. A 2D animation is a basic form of animation which is created in a flat, two-dimensional environment. As we can draw and create the illusion of depth and three dimensions in paintings, in 2D animation the artist can use perspective and other techniques to create depth. However, since the environment is flat, it is still a 2D animation.

Why we are obsessed with stories?

There is a strong tendency that encourages us to tell stories and hear them. We were told stories when we were little kids. When we grew older, we learned that sharing our stories with others helps and comforts us. Traditional animation or 2D animations were our storytellers. They helped us fantasize our dreams and imagine what couldn’t be imagined in our everyday life. Now, technology has developed enough to create more creative stories and fantasies on a widescreen. Our children would be lucky to watch them. But do they experience the same imagination journey? You’ll probably get the answer in 10 years!

A brief history of 2d animation

1834; Spin it and see

The story of 2d animation officially began in 1834 when William Horner created the Zoetrope. It was not the first time that the concept of 2d animation was realized though. Making shadows with hands in front of a light source is one of the examples of 2D animation. Zoetrope is an optical device that creates the illusion of movement. Zoetrope works with a spinning drum mounted on a spindle with a series of frames attached to the inside.

1897; Mind believes what eyes can see

Years later, in 1897 Thomas Edison invented kinetoscope. This device used to create an allusion of animation by constantly moving an endless loop of a film over a light source.

1908; As simple as a sketch

In 1908, Emile Cohl created the first 2d animated video called “Fantasmagurie”. He used thousands of drawings of a figure in this 70 seconds video.

1928; Micky Mouse Begins

Walt Disney produced a short black and white animation called “Steamboat Willie” in 1928. This animation was the introduction to the Mickey Mouse character. Mickey Mouse is the most well-known animation character in history.

1937; Heigh-ho

In 1937, Walt Disney produced the first animated feature film. It was “The Snow White and Seven Dwarfs”. Walt Disney Produced it using all hand drawn pictures.

The 1950s

Finally in 1950s color televisions were invented. So 2D animation studios created colorful 2d animated series and TV shows. In 2d animation studios, the artist draws characters storyboards and backgrounds by hand or computer or the combination of both and change their position delicately. In late 1800s artists drew all the scenes by hand. Masterpieces were born this way.

Today

2D animation studios from the beginning till now brought stories about simple characters like doodles to a more complex one. 2D characters hold the values and characteristics that the artist or the scriptwriter have given to them. They can convey any message as well as 3D characters. In the last years, there were less 2D animated movies and videos and the market was captured by 3D animation studios. Although 3D animation is much closer to the reality and its attributes, 2D animation is growing to be the most favorite style in the animation industry. Most of the animated series today and in the past have been made in the 2D environment. Bo jack Horseman, The Simpsons, the family guy, Rick and Morty, South Park are the TV shows that are produced in a 2D environment. Moreover, 2D animation can be used in the game industry. The growth in the audience and software improvements have helped 2D animation to regain its strength.

The good news is that…

Today, 2D animation is still alive. However, the density of its usage has been decreasing since the emergent of 3d animation studios. Moreover, the new trends are focused on the use of 2D animation or 2D animation integrated with 3D animation techniques. As we can see this year’s Golden Globe animated feature film is Spiderman: into the Spider-verse. In this feature film, 3D animation techniques were used in the 2D animation environment. Therefore, this movie has a comic view which is really attractive.

2d animation takes us to…

If you were born in the 90s and earlier, you probably remember some of the well-known animated series like Tom and Jerry, Arthur, and Garfield and friends. These series found their way to our hearts. They might be simple in techniques or have a simple color pallet but the thing they did with our childhood and imagination is incomparable to any toys or stories. 2D animation has brought joy and happiness to our childhood. It would be impossible to endure imagination and dreaming without the emergent of 2D animation studios.

Conclusion

2D animation has enriched our lives since its first premiere in feature films and TV shows, thanks to the creativity of 2d animation studios. As a girl we had fantasized with Cinderella, Snow White and 7 Dwarf, and sleeping beauty love story and boys had played football thinking that they were Tsubasa! It would be impossible to remember a childhood memory without a 2D animation feature film or TV show in the background.