And yet, it remains one of the most essential resources for anyone learning animation. Why? Because the fundamental principles of animation don’t change. Great animation is still all about timing, spacing - and giving a memorable performance. 
Timeless Principles
Whether you’re working in 2D, 3D or stop motion, animation still comes down to the same fundamental principles. The Animator's Survival Kit explains these principles with clarity, showing how to make characters feel alive. It starts with basics like the bouncing ball (the starting point for most animation courses), then moves into walks, character walks - and all the way through physical actions up to sophisticated character performance.
Beyond Software
Software evolves — Maya, Blender, TVPaint, Unreal Engine— but the core skills remain the same. Studios hire animators for their understanding of performance and motion, not for the buttons they know how to push (though Maya does remain the key software to learn, and the one we teach at Escape Studios). The Animator's Survival Kit is about the art of animation, not the digital tools.
My own copy of the Animator's Survival Kit is well thumbed. If I ever get stuck on a shot I'm animating, The Animator's Survival Kit is my first place to look for inspiration on how to fix the problem. Nine times out of ten the ASK will give me an "aha!" moment - and I can keep on working.
Why the ASK Still Matters for Students
For our students at Escape Studios, the book remains the core textbook - the one book every student should buy. It bridges the gap between traditional hand-drawn craft and today’s digital pipelines. It shows how to think like an animator, not just operate like a technician.
You can find multiples copies of the ASK on the 11th Floor library at 6 Mitre Passage.
Timeless Principles
Whether you’re working in 2D, 3D or stop motion, animation still comes down to the same fundamental principles. The Animator's Survival Kit explains these principles with clarity, showing how to make characters feel alive. It starts with basics like the bouncing ball (the starting point for most animation courses), then moves into walks, character walks - and all the way through physical actions up to sophisticated character performance.
Beyond Software
Software evolves — Maya, Blender, TVPaint, Unreal Engine— but the core skills remain the same. Studios hire animators for their understanding of performance and motion, not for the buttons they know how to push (though Maya does remain the key software to learn, and the one we teach at Escape Studios). The Animator's Survival Kit is about the art of animation, not the digital tools.
Inspiration
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| 11th Floor library at 6 Mitre Passage |
Why the ASK Still Matters for Students
For our students at Escape Studios, the book remains the core textbook - the one book every student should buy. It bridges the gap between traditional hand-drawn craft and today’s digital pipelines. It shows how to think like an animator, not just operate like a technician.
You can find multiples copies of the ASK on the 11th Floor library at 6 Mitre Passage.
The Escape Studios Animation Blog offers a personal view on the art of animation and visual effects.To apply for one of our courses, follow this link.
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