Easy Tips for Beginners to Start Making Animated Shorts

Have you ever watched a Pixar short or a quirky YouTube animation and thought, “I want to create something like that!”? The world of animation is magical, transforming simple ideas into vibrant, moving stories. For beginner animation tips, the journey might seem daunting—complex software, endless techniques, and a steep learning curve. But here’s the good news: how to make animated shorts is more accessible than ever, even for complete newbies. Whether you’re an aspiring animator, a creative teen, or a YouTube content creator, you can start crafting your own DIY animation with a sprinkle of creativity and the right approach.

This blog post is your roadmap to animation for beginners. We’ll break down easy tips for beginners to start making animated shorts, from choosing tools to bringing your first story to life. With practical advice, relatable examples, and a dash of fun, you’ll be ready to dive into your first animated project. Let’s get those creative gears turning!

1. Start with a Simple Story Idea

Every great animated short begins with a spark of imagination. The key for animation basics is to keep your story simple, especially for your first animated project. Complex plots with sprawling worlds are tempting, but they can overwhelm beginners. Instead, focus on a single, relatable moment or emotion.

For example, imagine a short about a lonely coffee mug that befriends a teacup in a cluttered kitchen. It’s short, sweet, and packed with personality. According to a 2023 survey by Animation Mentor, 78% of beginner animators said starting with a small-scale story helped them complete their projects faster. So, grab a notebook and jot down a one-sentence idea. Ask yourself: What’s the heart of this story? Keep it under 30 seconds for your first short to make the animation workflow manageable.

Pro Tip: Use a storyboard to sketch your idea frame by frame. Even stick figures work! This visual outline is your blueprint for creating short animations.

2. Choose Beginner-Friendly Animation Tools

The right tools can make or break your start animating journey. Luckily, 2025 is bursting with simple animation software designed for newbies. You don’t need a Hollywood budget or a fancy studio to get started. Here are three animation tools for newbies that balance ease and power:

• Toonly: Perfect for 2D drag-and-drop animation. It’s intuitive, with pre-made characters and templates, ideal for DIY animation projects like explainer videos or quirky shorts.
• Blender: A free, open-source 3D animation tool. It has a steeper learning curve but offers tutorials galore for animation for beginners. Start with Blender’s “Grease Pencil” for 2D-style projects.
• Procreate Dreams: Tailored for iPad users, this app is a dream for hand-drawn creating short animations. Its timeline feature simplifies frame-by-frame work.

For instance, Sarah, a 17-year-old art student, used Procreate Dreams to animate a 15-second clip of a dancing cat for her YouTube channel. With no prior experience, she finished in a weekend! Explore free trials or YouTube tutorials to find the tool that clicks for you. The goal is to spend less time troubleshooting and more time animating.

3. Master the Basics of Animation Principles

To make your characters feel alive, you need a sprinkle of animation magic—specifically, the 12 principles of animation. Don’t worry, you don’t need to master them all at once! For beginner animation tips, focus on three core principles:

• Squash and Stretch: Gives objects flexibility, like a bouncing ball flattening on impact. Try this with a simple ball bounce in your chosen software.
• Timing: Controls the speed of actions to convey weight or emotion. A slow walk feels heavy; a quick skip feels playful.
• Exaggeration: Amplifies movements for humor or drama. Think of a cartoon character’s eyes popping out in surprise.

A 2024 study by the Animation Guild found that 65% of beginner animators improved their work by practicing just one principle at a time. Create a 5-second test animation—like a character waving or a ball rolling—to experiment. This hands-on practice builds confidence for your animation workflow.

4. Plan Your Animation Workflow

A clear animation workflow keeps your project on track and stress-free. Think of it as a recipe: each step builds toward your final dish. Here’s a beginner-friendly process for how to make animated shorts:

1. Script and Storyboard: Write a brief script (dialogue or actions) and sketch your storyboard.
2. Design Assets: Create characters and backgrounds. Use simple shapes or pre-made assets in tools like Toonly to save time.
3. Animate: Work scene by scene, starting with key poses (like a character’s start and end positions). Fill in the in-between frames later.
4. Add Sound: Import or record sound effects and music. Free libraries like Freesound.org are goldmines for DIY animation.
5. Edit and Export: Use free editing software like DaVinci Resolve to polish your short and export it for sharing.

For example, Jake, a hobbyist, animated a 20-second short about a superhero squirrel. By breaking it into these steps, he finished in two weeks, spending just an hour a day. Plan your time—30 minutes daily over a month can yield a polished first animated project.

5. Share and Learn from Feedback

Once your animated short is ready, it’s time to shine! Share it with the world on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or an art community like ArtStation. For YouTube content creators or indie creators, this is your chance to build an audience. Include a catchy title and tags like “beginner animation tips” or “DIY animation” to boost discoverability.

Don’t fear feedback—it’s your secret weapon. Join online communities like Reddit’s r/animation or Discord servers for animators. When Mia, a young filmmaker, posted her first short online, constructive comments helped her improve her timing and character designs for her next project. Embrace critiques as stepping stones to grow your start animating skills.

Your Animation Adventure Awaits

Creating your own animated short is a thrilling blend of storytelling, art, and tech. By starting with a simple story, choosing simple animation software, mastering a few animation basics, following a clear animation workflow, and embracing feedback, you’re well on your way to crafting your first animated project. The beauty of animation for beginners is that every frame you create is a step toward mastery.

So, what’s stopping you? Grab a pencil, open that animation tools for newbies, and let your imagination run wild. Share your first short with friends, family, or the world, and inspire others to dive into creating short animations. Who knows? Your quirky coffee mug or dancing cat could be the next viral hit. Start today—your animated adventure is waiting!