In the real world, the basic laws of physics were first described by Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein. In the world of animation, however, we owe the laws of physics to Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. Working for the Walt Disney Company in its heyday of the 1930s, these two animators came up with the 12 basic principles of animation, each of which can be used to produce the illusion of characters moving realistically in a cartoon.

Which is why the 12 Basic Principles of Animation are so important. Thomas’ and Johnston’s 12 principles have now been turned into a wonderful animated primer, thanks to motion artist Cento Lodigiani. Using just a cartoon cube, Lodigiani makes the 12 principles of animation–from squash and stretch to secondary action-immediately understandable, regardless of your training.

A Rube Goldberg machine is a contraption, invention, device or apparatus that is deliberately over-engineered or overdone to perform a very simple task in a very complicated fashion, usually including a chain reaction. The expression is named after American cartoonist and inventor Rube Goldberg (1883–1970). http://www.rubegoldberg.com/

OKGo – This Too Shall Pass -Rube Goldberg Machine version –

Peter Fischli & David Weiss – Der Lauf der Dinge –

Nominated for an Oscar and for a BAFTA award, Jasper Morello is a short feature made in a unique style of silhouette animation developed by director Anthony Lucas and inspired by the work of authors Edgar Alan Poe and Jules Verne.

This is a custom walking machine built entirely out of LEGO components. It is styled as a steampunk/post apocalyptic trading ship and features several play features, including the functional cargo crane. By Jason Alleman 2013.

The walking mechanism is based on the Strandbeest kinetic sculpture created by Theo Jansen. Be sure to check out his amazing work here: http://www.strandbeest.com/

Sculptor and engineer Arthur Ganson talks about his work — kinetic art that explores deep philosophical ideas.

http://www.arthurganson.com/