Thursday, May 7, 2009

Animation Books

What books should you get as you study animation ?

At the Academy of Art University Online we have several books which are required texts for many of the traditional animation classes. Check your individual class book list to see what books are required and which books are optional recommended books.


Books which are frequently on the Required Books list:

Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life
by Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston

Character Animation Crash Course
by Eric Goldberg

The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

Cartoon Animation
by Preston Blair
(there is also a free downloadable verrsion of the 1st edition of Blair's book on the ASIFA Animation Archive: Preston Blair's "Animation" , 1st Edition )

Animation From Pencils to Pixels : Classical Techiques for the Digital Animator by Tony White

Simplified Drawing for Planning Animation
by Wayne Gilbert

Other worthy books for your attention:

Drawn to Life: 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes Vol. 1 and 2 by Walt Stanchfield. (

Timing for Animation by Harold Whitaker

Animation Background & Layout: From Student to Professional

by Mike Fowler

Prepare to Board: Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts by Nancy Beiman

Creating Characters With Personality by Tom Bancroft

Elemental Magic: The Art of Special Effects Animation by Joseph Gilland