Unfortunately you are viewing this website on an outdated browser which does not support the necessary features for us to provide an adequate experience.
Please switch to a modern browser such as latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari or Microsoft Edge.
Explore the creativity and innovation that bring Walt Disney Animation Studios' films to life, and uncover the enchanting world of animation.
Recommended for Year Levels: 3 to 10
Learning Areas: Media Arts, Arts, English, Technologies
Capabilities: Creative and Critical Thinking
This stand-alone, classroom-ready resource draws inspiration from the exhibition and showcases the artistry and creative storytelling that Disney is famous for. It provides rich insights into the art, design, and storytelling of Disney Animation, along with creative prompts and activities.
Your students will also enjoy completing the activity sheet provided below.
Special thanks to ACMI Melbourne for creating this resource and granting permission for its use during the Disney: The Magic of Animation exhibition at Tākina.
Animation can explain whatever the mind … can conceive.
For nearly a century, Walt Disney Animation Studios have been at the forefront of animated filmmaking, pioneering the art form from their earliest days.
At the core of animation lies the art of drawing, whether it's with a pencil on paper or a digital tool on a screen. This unique style of drawing captures a character's essence in just a few lines, conveying life and emotion that resonate with audiences instantly.
In the era of pencil and paper, Disney artists were encouraged to draw swiftly, ensuring their creations remained simple and fluid, brimming with energy and spontaneity.
| 1. Choose something to draw – it could be a cup, a chair, anything. Using a grey-lead pencil, try to capture the object in just a few simple lines. Work quickly and do a few different versions. |
| 2. Now set your imagination free and turn your drawing into something funny and surprising. Maybe your cup has sprouted antennae like a snail, or your chair has grown hair. |
| 3. How could your imaginative drawing be brought to life through animation? |
| 4. Use the Draw Like a Disney Animator worksheet (below) to help you get started. |
For Walt Disney, animation was all about the power of imagination – if you can dream it, you can bring it to life through animation. Imagine a mouse steering a steamboat – with animation, it becomes a reality.
Walt Disney and his team experimented with shape, weight, and timing to create fluid, lifelike movements and characters capable of expressing a wide range of emotions.
Animators are often described as actors with pencils, as they draw their characters' performances, conveying emotions and even thoughts to the audience. As you explore the character designs and animation sketches in the exhibition, consider what each character is communicating.
In the early days of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney and his team developed a set of animation techniques known as the 12 Principles of Animation, which have stood the test of time.
| 5. Using the power of your imagination, think of an unexpected idea, character or experience that you could bring to life through animation. |
| 6. Find out more about the techniques or principles of animation that make Disney animated films so special. |
| 7. Choose one of the principles of animation (such as 'squash and stretch' or 'staging') and explain how it works to a friend or classmate. |
| 8. Watch a short sequence from Plane Crazy (1928) – Disney's first completed Mickey Mouse film. How many animation principles can you identify? |
| 9. Prospective Disney animators were often asked to show how they would animate a bouncing ball. One animator added wings to allow the ball to fly away! How would you animate your bouncing ball to impress the Disney Animation team with your skill and imagination? |
Often referred to as cartoons, animation is a magical way of creating movies by photographing a series of drawings, objects, or computer images one by one. Each small change in position is captured frame by frame. When these frames are played back in quick succession, our eyes and brains work together to bring the movement to life.
| 10. Download our walk cycle worksheet to practise and learn more. |
Create your very own comical character and bring it to life with a flipbook made from a post-it notepad!
Seeing an animation come to life is truly magical.
The zoetrope is a simple yet fascinating animation toy invented long before movies could be watched on a screen.
| 11. Download the template to design and make your own zoetrope animation. |
When people laugh at Mickey Mouse, it’s because he’s so human; and that is the secret of his popularity...
Steamboat Willie (1928) was the first Mickey Mouse animation to hit the big screen, and audiences instantly fell in love with Mickey's cheeky energy. It was also the first Disney animation to feature synchronized sound, where the sound perfectly matches the characters' movements, adding an extra layer of magic to the experience.
| 12. Watch Steamboat Willie (above) and notice how the sound and the movements work together. You might like to watch some without sound to see how much the sound adds. |
Disney Studio Artist; Clean-Up model sheet; Photostat on paper; © Disney
Mickey Mouse quickly became one of the most recognizable characters in the world. His design is so iconic that he can be identified just by his shape or silhouette. What do you think makes Mickey so special?
In Disney Animation movies, characters are depicted in various ways. Their faces and bodies move and change to express different emotions and actions. Take a look at the model sheet above to see some of Mickey's expressions and movements.
| 13. Use the Design Your Own Comical Character worksheet to design your own special character. |
“We start with something they [audiences] know and like. This can be either an idea or a character, as long as it is familiar and appealing ... But there must be something that is known and understood if the film is to achieve audience involvement.” - Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson, The Illusion Of Life: Disney Animation
After achieving great success with their lively and innovative short animations, Walt Disney Animation Studios decided to take on a new challenge – creating feature-length animated films. Audiences loved Disney's short animated films, often shown before the main movie of the evening. By producing feature films, Disney's animations would become the main attraction.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) is Disney's first-ever feature-length animated movie and the first feature-length animation produced in glorious Technicolor.
In planning and creating this wonderful movie, Disney Animation used all they had learned to craft a magical fairytale world. They also experimented with many new ideas to bring the characters and their stories to life. The movie was made for audiences of all ages and became incredibly popular. People still enjoy it today. Have you seen Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)?
| 1. Watch the video below to discover how Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was made. |
To create a story that resonates with audiences and their emotions, Disney artists and animators collaborate to craft appealing characters and a believable world. It's crucial that the characters and their world have a visual connection.
One of the unique features of Disney Animation's films is how the story world reflects the emotions of the characters, enhancing the storytelling. The enchanting worlds of films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio (1940), and Dumbo (1941) are part of the magic that captivates audiences.
To design the characters and achieve the right look and feel for the film's world, Disney artists start by creating a range of concept artworks. "Concept" is another word for "idea," and the creativity and imagination we see in Disney's feature-length animated films stem from these shared ideas.
Many of these concept artworks are preserved at the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. A special selection is displayed in the Disney: The Magic of Animation exhibition, offering insights into the Disney production process.
| 2. Download The Magic Begins – Character Design worksheet to think more deeply about Disney Animation character creation. |
| 3. Download The Magic Begins – World Design worksheet to create your own piece of concept art. |
For an audience to connect with a story and care about the characters, those characters need to have personalities and familiar human thoughts and feelings. Think about the distinct personalities of the Seven Dwarfs and the love that Bambi and Dumbo have for their mothers.
Disney animated films are especially cherished for their appealing and heartfelt animal characters. One of the unique skills developed by the Disney animation team over the years is the ability to create fully rounded characters while also giving us a sense of the real-life animals they represent.
Walt Disney believed it was crucial for Disney artists to start with real-life examples and then apply their imaginations and creativity. When planning and designing the film Bambi (1942), the team spent months sketching live deer in the studio to help create the character of Bambi and tell his story. You can find out more here.
Bambi (1942) Disney Studio Artist; Story sketch; coloured pencil and graphite on paper; © Disney
| 4. Here you can see a Bambi story sketch created by a Disney artist. What do you notice about the character design of Bambi and Flower (the skunk)? What is the artist communicating about the character? Explain how you know this. |
| 5. Find out more about the real-life inspiration for Bambi. Now try creating your own animal character using real-life inspiration. You could start with a photo, a video, a pet or even an insect. |
| 6. When you watch the Bambi (1942) trailer (below), what stands out about the design of Bambi's character? Focus on colour, movement, expression and voice. What did you notice about (a) the world of the film and (b) the other characters? |
| 7. Meet the challenge! Imagine you are designing hero and companion characters for a new Disney movie. Create your own character-focused concept artwork using the worksheet provided. |
Much of the look of this stunning animation is owed to the artist Eyvind Earle. He created hundreds of concept artworks as well as painted many background paintings that were used in the movie.
While other artists before him had inspired the style of a Disney cartoon, such as Mary Blair for Alice in Wonderland (1951), this was the first time that one of the Studio’s films had so directly used an artist’s backgrounds designs and colours as they were initially presented by the artist.
The animators had to adapt the design of the characters to match the style of the world created by Earle. This explains the angular and stylised shapes of the characters.
In Sleeping Beauty (1959), the evil fairy Maleficent transforms into a dragon. Notice how the design of the two sides of her character – human and dragon – connect with the distinctive angular look of the world of the film.
| 1. Watch the trailer (below) to see some of the beautiful backgrounds used in Sleeping Beauty (1951). Create your own fairytale background inspired by Eyvind Earle. Make sure you use surprising and vibrant colours. |
| 2.In Sleeping Beauty (1959), Maleficent transforms into a dragon. What are some of the ways the design of her character communicates the fire-breathing dragon part of her identity? |
When Walt Disney read The Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) by Dodie Smith, he immediately wanted to turn it into an animation. Known for its lovable animal characters, Disney Animation had a blast designing the many dog and puppy characters. They had even more fun creating one of the most evil villains ever – Cruella De Vil.
When designing characters and integrating them into the animation world, Disney artists ensure everything is designed with a purpose. Everything about Cruella – her face, body, clothes, and car – screams that she is a villain who cannot be trusted.
Cruella was brought to life by artist and animator Marc Davis, who is celebrated for the wonderful female characters he created during his time at Disney Animation. When asked which character was his favorite, he replied, “Each of my women characters has her own unique style; I love them all in different ways.” You can read more about him here.
Watch the trailer to see Cruella – and the dogs – in action.
| 3. After watching the One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) trailer, share with others what stands out for you. |
| 4. Imagine you are describing Cruella De Vil to someone who knows nothing about this character. How would you describe her? |
| 5. Complete the Designing Villains worksheet to think more deeply about character design. |
Being an animator is really like being the actor in the movie.
In the 1990s, Walt Disney Animation Studios released some of their most beloved films of all time. They started with evocative stories, created vibrant characters and worlds, and added rich musical scores. Beauty and the Beast (1991) and The Lion King (1994) have even inspired hugely successful Broadway musicals and have been remade in the twenty-first century for new audiences.
These films also mark Disney Animation's entry into the digital age, with the development of new tools for animators to explore. Computer graphics improved with each new film, eventually becoming the primary method for producing animation.
The Little Mermaid (1989) began this process, with characters and backgrounds being digitally combined in the next-to-last scene of the film.
By the time Mulan (1998) was produced, artists were using new techniques for computer-generated graphics to create a massive battle scene with over 2,000 warriors on horseback, each with individual movements.
Yet, despite the changing technology, the fundamentals remained the same. If an artist couldn’t draw an appealing character, no amount of computer-generated special effects would help.
| 1. The films featured in this section are: The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Lion King (1994), Pocahontas (1995) and Mulan (1998). As a class, choose one of these films as your research focus. Building on what you learned when visiting Disney: The Magic of Animation at Tākina Wellington, see how much you can find out about the production process and the innovative digital technologies used. |
Colour plays a crucial role in filmmaking, conveying information about characters, mood, and emotions. This is especially true in animation, where colour can be used in more imaginative and stylized ways. The films featured in Towards New Dimensions have very distinctive colour palettes. A colour palette refers to the range of colours chosen as part of the production design – specific characters may have their own palette, and the film as a whole will work with a particular range of colours. Thoughtful use of colour adds depth to the story, expressing emotions and feelings in a visually compelling way.
|
2. Look at the colour palettes (below) to learn more about the distinct range of colours used in each Disney animated film. Focus on the colours used in one of these three films and discuss with a partner what these colours mean to you. Now watch the trailer from the movie and think about the use of colour.
|
| 3. Design a film poster for your chosen film, using its colour palette. |
Walt Disney Animation Studios Colour Palettes ©Disney
Ariel from The Little Mermaid (1989) is one of the most beloved Disney characters of all time. As a sea creature fascinated by human life, Ariel has a unique charm that comes from straddling two worlds.
From the earliest days of Disney Animation, animators have tackled the challenge of animating water – Pinocchio (1940) and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" from Fantasia (1940) are great examples. Decades later, Ariel presented a new challenge for animator Glen Keane. Audiences needed to believe in her underwater world and her magical nature as a mermaid, while also connecting with her love for a human prince.
Keane realized that the key to Ariel's character was the fluid movement of her long hair and the curves of her tail. Making her hair move gracefully underwater was a big challenge, but Keane found inspiration by observing how the long hair of real-life astronaut Sally Ride floated in the zero gravity of space.
The Little Mermaid (1989) Glen Keane, Rough animation drawing; graphite on paper © Disney
| 4. What do you notice about this animation drawing of Ariel? What is Glen Keane communicating about the character? Explain how you know this. |
| 5. Did you know that Walt Disney Animation Studios presents 'how to draw' videos on their YouTube channel? In the video (below), find out how to draw Ariel from Mark Henn, Directing Animator on The Little Mermaid (1989). |
Disney's animated films have always used music and songs to help tell the story and explore themes. Music adds emotion and drama, and the songs communicate the characters' thoughts and feelings.
The music also synchronizes with the movement of the animated characters. For example, in The Little Mermaid's (1989) "Under the Sea," it adds fun and energy, while in "Colours of the Wind" from Pocahontas (1995), the song combines with the visuals to bring the beauty of nature to life.
In The Lion King (1994), the songs and music build the world of the story and connect with the dramatic events. Music was so integral to the film that the first trailer released featured the opening scene with the song "Circle of Life," setting the style and mood of the film. You can find out more about this iconic opening scene here.
| 6. The song 'Under the Sea' in The Little Mermaid (1989) is a great example of how the rhythm of the music can add energy to the animation. Compare the animation in this scene to Steamboat Willie (1928). What is different and what has stayed the same? |
| 7. Watch the opening of The Lion King (1994). As a class discuss what the song adds to the visuals. Try watching the scene without the music to help you understand what is added by the music. |
| 8. What is your favourite Disney Animation song? Explain why you like it so much and what it adds to the story of the movie. Use the Music worksheet to help you with your answer. |
“We have a choice. We can tear each other apart or we can come together and build a better world. It’s not too late.”
Walt Disney Animation Studios have transitioned from hand-drawn art to computer graphics, yet they continue to focus on telling vivid, original stories and creating unique characters and imaginative worlds. From their inception, Disney Animation has been committed to innovation, constantly seeking new ideas to enhance the animation process and add depth to characters, worlds, and stories. Their goal is to explore new ways to draw viewers into the narrative and connect them with the characters' experiences.
In the twenty-first century, Disney Animation's stories emphasize human connection, the diversity of experiences, and responsibility towards others and the environment. Female characters like Rapunzel, Elsa, Moana, and Raya are portrayed as independent leaders who take action in the face of challenges. Meanwhile, male leads vary from gentle souls like Kristoff and Hiro to rough diamonds like Maui, Nick Wilde, and Flynn Rider.
Tangled (2010) is Disney’s first fairy tale adaptation using computer-animated characters. While it follows the fairy tale genre, the princess in this movie is brave and powerful. It is a fractured fairy tale where many traditional elements are turned upside down. The brave prince? Not really. Scary villains? Many have a heart of gold. The evil female villain, Mother Gothel, is the one familiar fairy tale character who remains unchanged.
Tangled (2010) offers a fresh take on the traditional Rapunzel story, with her long hair playing a crucial role. Disney Animation used innovative CGI technologies to bring her hair to life.
In the digital age, storyboards are still essential for animators to visually map out each scene. It's fascinating to see the original sketches alongside the completed film. Watch the beautiful 'I See the Light' scene to see how it was planned out by the Tangled animation team using storyboards.
| 1. In Tangled (2010), Rapunzel's hair is an important part of who she is and plays an unforgettable role in the story. How would you describe the way Rapunzel's hair moves and acts to someone who hadn't seen the movie? |
| 2. Do you know the traditional Rapunzel fairytale? Find out more about this story and compare it with the Disney Animation version. What is the same? What is different? |
| 3. Tangled (2010) is a fractured fairytale. It takes the old fairytale story and changes it. This can be surprising and funny. It also makes us think about the values of the traditional fairytale. Which fairytale would you like to update and why? |
| 4. Use the Fractured Fairytale worksheet to plan your own story. |
It's been a long time since a female protagonist in a Disney film needed a handsome prince to save her! The independence and energy of characters like Mulan and Rapunzel are also evident in Anna and Elsa (Frozen, 2013 and Frozen 2, 2019), Moana (Moana, 2016 and Moana 2, 2024), Judy Hopps (Zootopia, 2016), and Raya (Raya and the Last Dragon, 2021).
The narratives surrounding these complex female heroes have evolved to focus on their actions and deeds rather than their romantic interests. These characters face the challenge of achieving their goals and discovering their place in the world.
| 5. Use the worksheet (below) to explore the character design and development of the Disney hero characters in the Bringing People Together section of Disney: The Magic of Animation exhibition. |
The bond between characters and their worlds is central to compelling storytelling, especially in animated films where visual storytelling plays a crucial role. In movies like Moana (2016), Frozen (2013), Zootopia (2016), Frozen 2 (2019), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) and Moana 2 (2024), concept artists craft artworks that inspire the animation and production teams, helping to bring both characters and their story worlds to life.
| 6. This beautiful concept artwork (above) represents an important moment in Moana 2 (2024). How do the colours of Moana's world help tell her and her people's story? Download the Artwork Response worksheet to guide your response to this remarkable artwork. |
Zootopia (2016); Cory Loftis; Concept art; digital painting; © Disney
| 7. Look carefully and you will find Judy Hopps, Zootopia's tiny hero character, in the artwork (above). This work communicates so much about Judy's world and her place in it. But, despite her tiny size, we can also see her cheerful optimism. Use the Artwork Response worksheet to guide your response to this unique artwork. |
Frozen 2 (2019); Lisa Keene; Concept art; digital painting; © Disney
| 8. Elsa's strength and isolation can be seen in this beautiful concept artwork (above) created for Frozen 2 (2019). Use the Artwork Response worksheet to guide your response to this powerful image. |
Raya and the Last Dragon (2021); Paul Felix; Concept art; digital painting; © Disney
| 9. Raya and Tuk Tuk grow up together and travel the world on a quest to bring Raya's father and land back to life. If you look carefully at this artwork, you will see many special story and character elements. Use the Artwork Response worksheet to guide your response to this powerful image. |
One of Disney's most endearing characters is Baymax from Big Hero 6 (2014), a white, round figure with black eyes. Often described as a cuddly robot, Baymax's charm comes from his soft, rounded shape and the stark contrast between his size and Hiro's. His slow, jerky movements, especially the way he leans forward and walks, evoke the innocence of a baby. In fact, Baymax's walking style is inspired by a toddler in a diaper. Other crucial elements in creating Baymax's character include his voice and the sound of his vinyl body.
Watch this clip from the movie where Hiro and Baymax first meet, and observe the techniques used to introduce Baymax to the audience and make him so appealing.
| 10. After watching the clip, discuss with a partner everything you observed about Baymax – his appearance, movements, sounds, and speech. Write down or draw all the details you and your partner noticed. Then, share these observations with the rest of the class and see how many features and techniques you can identify |
|
11. Animators often act out scenes to determine the best way to recreate movements and emotions in animation. Try acting out the scene where Hiro meets Baymax. Does this give you any new insights into the characters or the animation process? |
|
12. Explore the scene further and learn more about film analysis by downloading the Scene Response worksheet. |
As with all of Disney Studio's animated films, Big Hero 6 (2014) continues the tradition of emphasizing the emotional connection between the audience and the characters. Technological advancements are used to enhance storytelling and make it more relatable. For example, just as CGI brought Rapunzel's hair to life, innovative software helped the Big Hero 6 (2014) team bring their characters and stories to life. Light plays a significant role in Baymax's design, thanks to Disney’s Hyperion rendering software.
Raya and The Last Dragon (2021) focuses on themes of trust and diversity, highlighting the importance of collaboration in solving problems. The protagonist, Raya, strives to restore a dying world by uniting characters from different lands. Despite their differences, they share a common goal.
The themes in Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) are complex and relevant to real-world issues. Raya's team consists of individuals who should be adversaries but learn that their differences can become a shared strength when they work together. This underscores the value of collaboration.
The film also explores the concept of trust, acknowledging that it may not always be reciprocated. The message is not to become wary of deceit but to continue showing trust despite disappointments, as it may eventually be rewarded.
Watch the trailer to revisit the various characters Raya encounters and the lands she explores in her quest to find the pieces of the dragon gem.
| 13. Describe the characters who join Raya in her quest to unite the world. |
|
14. The diversity in the characters' appearance, age, and size not only highlights their strengths but also adds humor and interest. Which of these companion characters is your favorite? Explain why. |
|
15. Despite their differences, Raya's team members share several similarities. In what ways are they alike? What qualities do they have in common? |
|
16. What do you notice about the various worlds and settings in the film? Pause the video and carefully observe each setting. What stands out to you about each of the different lands? |
|
17. Do you believe that if someone you trust disappoints you, they deserve another chance? |
|
18. Although Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) is a fantasy, its message is applicable to our world. If we embraced differences, trusted others, and worked together towards common goals, what are some of the positive changes we could achieve? |
The message of Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) about the strength found in working together and embracing differences is mirrored in the collaborative process of creating animated films at Walt Disney Animation Studios. When you watch a Disney animated film, take a moment to watch the credits and appreciate the many people who contribute to its success.
After visiting Disney: The Magic of Animation at Tākina, you'll hear from various Disney employees and learn about the different roles involved in making an animated film and running a production studio. Disney Animation values the diverse contributions and talents of its team, embodying the studio's belief in building ideas collaboratively – a process they call 'plussing'.
During the final production stage of Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), the team had to work remotely due to COVID-19. Bringing such a richly imagined story to life under these circumstances highlights the power of Disney Animation's collaborative processes and creative teamwork. You can learn more about this in the video below.
|
19. What additional collaborative skills do you think the Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) production team needed to complete the movie while maintaining social distancing due to COVID-19? |
|
20. Visit the Walt Disney Animation Studios website to learn more about the people who work there and their roles: Walt Disney Animation Studios. |
Now it's your turn to start collaborating on your own animated movie. You can work in teams or as a whole class. Remember, great things can be achieved when you collaborate and utilize each person's unique skills and talents to create something amazing.
