Rambles #7: Learn to Animate First

Something I realized starting this 2D animation class was how necessary it is. I mean, it was like before I was like "yea, I need to learn it because 2D is easier than 3D and it's just good to know." But I feel like it didn't register to me "why." The reason that perhaps it feels like I'm super slow with learning 3D is simply because I'm trying to learn how to both animate and use new software at the same time.

This is perhaps a really "duh!" thing but my way of learning before was just to throw myself into things. And while this can somehow be useful, in this case, it's kind of bad. This is how bad habits form when you don't learn the foundations of what you're doing first. It's hard enough to learn how to animate, but to also be learning complex, foreign software such as Maya at the same time, it's no wonder it seems to be such a headache.

The thing is, everyone already knows how to use pencil and paper. So you don't need to figure that out first. That makes it so that you can focus completely on learning how to animate the very basics. Once you know how to animate properly, then doing 3D will just be a matter of learning how to use new tools to apply what you already know.

Honestly, I really wish I had realized this sooner in my animation journey. I feel like it would have saved me a lot of frustration. And perhaps it would've also given me more patience and acceptance in learning with pencil and paper.

Ever since starting this class, I've grown to appreciate traditional animation so much more. And I really don't hate using paper and pencil and pegbars as much as I thought I would. I was afraid I would miss the computer too much, but really I just love animating. I feel so at ease sitting at the light boards. The work is just so satisfying to me. That's not to say that I want to pursue 2D, it just means that I feel very content making animation. I know that I'm in the right place.