SANJIESAN CREATOR / Stylised animation studies
Keep a stylised bounce from changing the object’s identity
Squash and stretch can make an animated impact readable, but a shape that grows randomly may appear to change object rather than deform. Adobe’s animation overview discusses deformation together with an impression of volume. Use a small original soft-looking object for a stylised study. The exercise is about consistent visual identity, not a physical prediction for a real material.
Define the undeformed object clearly
Draw a simple original rounded object with one identifying mark. Establish its resting shape and choose a plain ground reference. Keep the design simple enough that changes can be compared. Do not begin with a rigid manufactured object unless its deformation is deliberately fictional and clearly part of the style. Decide which feature should remain recognisable through the bounce so the viewer can follow the same object rather than a series of unrelated blobs.
Compare compression and recovery together
Arrange a small set of poses around contact, including the approach, compressed shape and recovery. Compare how width and height relate across the sequence. Avoid making every dimension larger at impact simply to show emphasis unless expansion is a separate intentional effect. Inspect the identifying mark as part of the surface. It should follow the chosen deformation logic rather than remain pasted motionless over a shape that changes beneath it.
Read the bounce at the intended speed
Play the study and check contact, recovery and the final resting shape. If the object seems to inflate or switch design, revisit the poses before adding more frames. Compare a restrained version with the stronger deformation to choose the style deliberately. Keep the original shape beside the final pose for review. A consistent stylised result can be expressive without claiming accurate physics, verified material behaviour or a universal deformation ratio.