Top 10 Animation Design Books Every Student Should Read

Ready to Level Up Your Animation Skills?

If you’re diving into the exciting world of animation, one thing’s certain: You need more than just fancy software skills. Great animators aren’t made by tools—they’re made by understanding the fundamentals of movement, storytelling, character design, and visual rhythm.

Yes, the best animation design course in nashik will teach you hands-on skills, but pairing that with the right books is like having your team of industry legends mentoring you. 

Let’s dive into the 10 must-read animation design books that every aspiring animator should have on their shelf.

1️⃣ The Animator’s Survival Kit – Richard Williams

Why It’s a Must:

Ask any professional—they’ll tell you this is THE bible of animation. Richard Williams breaks down how to make characters move naturally: walks, runs, jumps, timing, spacing—you name it.

Perfect for:

• Beginners mastering basics

• Students in the best animation design course build foundational skills

• Even pros refining their animation fluency

2️⃣ Cartoon Animation – Preston Blair

Why It’s a Must:

If you love vibrant, fun, cartoony styles, this is your go-to. Learn how to craft expressive characters, design walk cycles, and bring comedic timing to life. Plus, the illustrations are gold.

Perfect for:

• 2D animators

• Students focusing on character design and cartoony animation styles

3️⃣ Acting for Animators – Ed Hooks

Why It’s a Must:

Animation is acting. Whether your character is a person, a dog, or a lamp, it needs emotions and goals. This book teaches how to infuse your characters with believable intentions and emotions.

Perfect for:

• Animators telling character-driven stories

• Anyone in the best animation design course focusing on performance and emotion

4️⃣ The Illusion of Life – Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston

Why It’s a Must:

Disney’s original masters wrote this. It’s where the famous 12 Principles of Animation come from. These are the rules that make animation look natural and feel magical.

Perfect for:

• Intermediate students

• Anyone learning the foundational laws of motion in the best animation design course

5️⃣ Directing the Story – Francis Glebas

Why It’s a Must:

Great animators aren’t just movers—they’re storytellers. This book teaches how to guide the viewer’s eye, evoke emotions, and build scenes with meaning, using storyboards as a tool.

Perfect for:

• Aspiring storyboard artists

• Animators wanting to master visual storytelling

6️⃣ Character Animation Crash Course! – Eric Goldberg

Why It’s a Must:

Eric Goldberg (the genius behind Genie in Aladdin) brings humor, clarity, and loads of practical advice. Learn how to exaggerate, add personality, and play with timing.

Perfect for:

• Students looking to spice up their characters with humor and life

• Anyone in the best animation design course, perfecting expressive animation

7️⃣ The Visual Story – Bruce Block

Why It’s a Must:

Ever wondered why some scenes feel dramatic, cozy, or intense? This book breaks down visual storytelling—using line, space, color, and rhythm to shape how your audience feels.

Perfect for:

• Animators working on mood, scene composition, and cinematic visuals

8️⃣ Creating Characters with Personality – Tom Bancroft

Why It’s a Must:

Characters are the heart of any animation. This book walks you step-by-step through designing characters with soul, thinking about silhouette, proportions, costumes, and expressions.

Perfect for:

• Character designers

• Students are building a strong portfolio in the best animation design course

9️⃣ Layout and Composition for Animation – Ed Ghertner

Why It’s a Must:

Characters need a world to live in! This guide focuses on how to design backgrounds, set layouts, and establish a cinematic viewpoint that supports your animation.

Perfect for:

• Students wanting to excel in background and environment design

🔟 Stop Staring – Jason Osipa

Why It’s a Must:

Facial expressions are tricky, especially in 3D. This book teaches how to model and animate believable faces that convey subtle emotions without feeling robotic.

Perfect for:

• 3D animators learning facial rigging and dialogue animation

Why These Books Matter (Even in a Digital World)

Sure, YouTube is great. But books give you deeper, structured knowledge straight from the legends of animation. Combine these reads with lessons from the best animation design course, and you’ll be unstoppable. 🚀

Here’s what you gain:

✅ A strong grasp of core principles like timing, squash & stretch, and storytelling

✅ A better understanding of how to make your characters feel alive, not stiff

✅ Techniques to design visually appealing characters and environments

✅ Advanced skills in facial animation, acting, and scene layout

✅ Insights that even some online courses don’t teach deeply

How to Get the Most Out of These Books

Don’t just read—draw along! Sketch examples, replicate scenes, and try the exercises.

Pair theory with practice. Open your animation software (Blender, Maya, Toon Boom) and apply concepts immediately.

Join a community. Find Discord servers, forums, or student groups from your best 

animation design course to discuss and share learnings.

Build a digital sketchbook. Summarize lessons visually to make concepts stick.

Apply to your portfolio. Use character design tricks, storytelling hacks, and layout tips directly in your projects.

Recommended Reading Order

Start with Fundamentals:

• The Animator’s Survival Kit

• Cartoon Animation

• The Illusion of Life

Then Specialize Based on Interest:

• Character Animation Crash Course! (Expressive movement)

• Directing the Story (Storyboarding & directing)

• The Visual Story (Scene composition)

Conclusion: Combine Learning + Action for Animation Success

Books are your secret weapon. When you mix the wisdom from these books with hands-on practice in the best animation design course in nashik, you’re not just learning how to animate—you’re learning how to tell stories, move emotions, and create magic. 

The future of animation belongs to creators who understand both the art and the craft. Whether your dream is to work at Pixar, launch your indie studio, or animate for video games, this reading list will fuel that journey.