Stop Motion Animation
Exploring six different types of Stop Motion
Stop Motion Animation has a kind of magic that never quite fades. There’s something captivating about watching inanimate objects come to life frame by frame, knowing that every tiny movement was carefully planned and photographed by hand. From childhood classics to experimental art films and modern commercials, stop motion continues to be a powerful storytelling tool. As many people wonder what the future holds for creatives in the frontier age of AI, our need for humanity only grows larger. The starvation for human connection is fueling the demand for tactile, handmade work. As a hybrid of handcrafted elements and technology, stop-motion animation fits the bill. If you pay attention, you will notice it continuing to thrive in movie theatres, advertising, and social media.
Below, we’ll explore the different types of stop motion animation—from familiar styles like clay animation and puppet animation to lesser-known techniques that push the boundaries of what can be animated. Whether you’re new to animation or just curious about how your favorite stop-motion scenes are made, this overview will give you a clear look at the techniques that make this timeless art form possible.
Claymation is one of the most recognizable forms of stop-motion animation. Inspired by the invention of plasticine in 1897, claymation uses malleable clay figures to create the illusion of movement. The clay can be moved and sculpted between each photographed frame, lending itself to playful transformations with an aesthetic that can be hard to achieve with other media.
This hands-on technique is a highly flexible process, which allows the animator to be spontaneous while filming and let ideas evolve as they are being created. Because the material is soft and malleable, characters can easily have exaggerated expressions and smooth transformations.
As playful as claymation is, it is not without its challenges. Clay is sensitive to heat, fingerprints, and gravity, which can cause unwanted changes between frames. Animators must work carefully to maintain consistency, often using armatures inside the clay to stabilize figures.
Claymation is especially effective for whimsical storytelling, comedy, and highly expressive character animation. It has a strong handmade aesthetic that audiences often find charming and tactile.
Show Above: Aardman Animations began in 1975 by Will Vinton created shows like Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run.
Origin Story
The first known commercial production of claymation is a silent short called “Long Live the Bull!” created in 1926. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this animation is that it truly looks as though it could have been created today—exactly 100 years later! This animation is a testament to the timelessness of claymation.
Born from creator Art Clokey in the early 1950s, the Gumby franchise is an American classic tv show that has been enjoyed by many generations through feature films and reruns right up to the present day. The Gumby World website offers a more detailed history of his adventures.
In 2015, Arizona State University hosted Gumby in its former Gallery 100 space, where ASU Mirabella now stands. The gallery exhibited the original sets and celebrated Gumby’s 60th birthday with Art Clokey’s son Joe and his wife Joan Clokey.
I had the pleasure of helping with the show setup and spent time getting to know Joe and Joan. The setup process was also filmed by A&E and featured on their tv series, Shipping Wars. Here is a clip featuring former Academic Associate, Prof. Peter Bugg.
In 2022, Fox Entertainment acquired the rights to Gumby, so it looks to continue to inspire generations of children and families to come.
The California Raisins were a popular Emmy Award winning commercial campaign in the 1980s and 1990s.
Object Motion brings everyday items—such as toys, tools, food, or household objects—to life through frame-by-frame movement. The objects are not altered; instead, their natural shapes and limitations inspire creative motion.
This form of stop-motion is often playful and experimental. Because it does not require sculpting or puppet fabrication, it is highly accessible and frequently used by beginners, educators, and advertisers.
Object animation excels at visual surprise and metaphor. Its simplicity can be deceptive, however, as animators must work around rigid forms that were never designed to move.
Shown Above: Western Spaghetti by PES. This animation was very formative to my creative development toward the end of my in BFA undergraduate studies. I have a LOT of admiration for PES!
Pixilation uses real people as stop-motion subjects. Instead of filming continuous movement, the performer holds poses while the animator captures each frame individually. When played back, the result is a jerky, surreal style of motion.
This technique transforms ordinary actions into something strange or magical, often defying natural physics. Pixilation is popular in experimental films, music videos, and short-form content.
Although it does not require puppets or sets, pixilation demands patience, precise planning, and cooperative performers. Continuity can be difficult, and physical strain is common due to repeated posing. It can be a great way of combining performing art with animation.
The video above is the first known commercially published form of pixelation.
Today, pixelation is often found in social media reels and major advertisement campaigns for companies such as Target.
Puppet Animation uses three-dimensional figures built around internal skeletons called armatures. These armatures allow precise control over movement, posture, and balance. Puppets are typically made from foam, silicone, latex, fabric, or resin, depending on the desired look and durability.
This technique is widely used in professional stop-motion films because it supports complex acting and long productions. Sets are often built at scale, lit cinematically, and reused across many shots.
Puppet animation requires significant preparation and craftsmanship, but it offers the highest level of control and polish. It is ideal for narrative films, emotionally nuanced performances, and cinematic storytelling.
Yamasong: March of the Hollows was created by Emmy-nominated Director and filmmaker, Sam Koji Hale. Featuring dynamic voice actors such as Whoopi Goldberg and George Takei, Sam’s expertly crafted puppets showcase his ability to use a wide variety of materials to create soulful characters.
Through Sam’s scholarship program with the Creative Talent Network, he has become an important mentor to me. In November 2025, I joined a group of stop-motion puppet making colleagues to spend four days with Sam, who generously took us on tours of various stop-motion studios in Los Angeles and introduced us to amazing and talented industry professionals.
Chris Sickels of Rednose Studio is an accomplished illustrator who animates his work. His handmade puppets are quirky and charming, emphasizing emotional nuance over technical refinement in a way that resonates with viewers. I’ve been a longtime admirer of his work.
Up-and-coming stop-motion animator Carmela Murphy captures unique storylines to give fresh perspectives to a broader audience. She spends a lot of time in fabrication before shooting her stop motion. Currently in production for “God is a Pelican,” Carmela is a notable animator to keep an eye on!
Paper Cutout Animation involves flat characters and props made from paper, cardstock, fabric, or other thin materials. These elements are moved incrementally on a flat surface and photographed.
Historically, cutout animation was used as a faster, more affordable alternative to full 3D stop-motion. It emphasizes graphic design, shape, and composition rather than physical depth.
While simpler than puppet animation, cutout animation still requires careful planning, especially for jointed movement and layered scenes. It is well-suited to stylized storytelling, educational content, and illustrative visual styles.
One of the most famous examples of cutout animation by Terry Gilliam featured in the classic surreal comedy productions of Monty Python (shown above). Below, Terry Gilliam shares his process in more detail.
This category is where my animation fits best! Above is a reel I published to my Instagram profile. You can see more of my animated work here.
Silhouette Animation is a specialized form of cutout animation in which characters appear as solid black shapes against a brightly lit background. The technique relies entirely on outline, motion, and composition to convey emotion and narrative.
This style has a strong visual identity and often evokes folklore, fairy tales, or mythic storytelling. Because facial features are absent, animators must rely on body language and pacing to communicate meaning.
Silhouette animation is visually striking but demanding in terms of choreography and clarity of movement. Small errors in spacing or pose can significantly affect readability. This form of animation lends itself to an emphasis on composition.
Below is the first known commercial publication of this style.
There are many stop-motion animations that either fall into multiple categories, or feature their own unique approach. South African artist William Kentridge is one of the world’s leading contemporary artists. Though his work spans everything from drawing, to opera, he especially known for his uniquely animated charcoal drawings through the process of erasing and rebuilding them.
The movie Loving Vincent was created with the contribution of 100 different oil painters and reflects on the life and creative work of Dutch Post-Impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh (pronounced van Gawff)