Inspirational, Creative Line-Drawing Animations

I love animation. It can be so varied in its application, so many ways to apply the some technique, and so many different techniques to convey the same message. It is this huge amount of flexibility and room for creativity which makes the art of animation such an interesting field.

In this post, I’ve decided to narrow down the possible scope I could cover, by bringing you a selection of line-drawing animations which really push the creative envelope! I’ve selected my 7 favourite short animations which I feel fall into the category of ‘line-drawings’ to share with you.

First up are two animations by RSA Animate:

#1 RSA Animate – Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us

#2 RSA – Smile or Die

RSA Animate have created a lot of similar, and equally inspiring, short animations in this style; so make sure you check out more on YouTube or their website’s blog, http://comment.rsablogs.org.uk/videos/

#3 Pilot Frixion Evolution

I love the simple concept of the pen interacting with the drawing – the ‘evolving’ and changing nature of the animating which clearly illustrates the nature of the pen, i.e. what makes the Pilot Frixion different from any other pen is the ability to change what you have just created.

The sea shanty style music is great too!

#4 Pure Performance – The 2011 Subaru WRX STI

This advertisement for the Subaru WRX STI is a fantastic combination of film and line-drawing animation – and the shot at the end gives you a hint at how it was done!

#5 Nokia Morph Concept

Adding a splash of colour into their line-drawing animation is Nokia for the mobile phone concept, ‘Morph’ – a mobile phone which would take advantage of nanotechnology! In this animation, they have added water-colour over the line-drawings, as well as some computer rendered graphics which illustrates the capabilities of the mobile phone.

#6 Hand Animation-The Story

A highly creative, if slightly ‘rough-around-the-edges’, short animation which, like the Pilot Frixion advert, explores the concept of the ‘evolving’ line. There’s quite a lot of interesting ideas explored in this little animation, so keep your eyes peeled.

#7 How Wings are Attached to the Backs of Angels

Finishing of with a spot of the macabre, and perhaps my favourite animation of the lot. It’s a long one by comparison, but well worth watching. Enjoy!

The Music Industry?

And of course, we can’t forget that other famous line-drawing animation, the music video for Aha – Take On Me.

Final Thoughts

Although only a small selection of the many possibilities out there, I hope this post has illustrated the creative capabilities of line-drawing animation and how the style can be applied in many different ways. How it can even be built upon by using other technologies such as film and computer graphics.

As always, if you have any examples that you would like to share, please feel free to add the links in the comments. And make sure to let me know which animation is you favourite!