Animated

Animated refers to imagery created to appear in motion by displaying a sequence of images in rapid succession. The term covers both the craft of traditional hand-drawn animation and modern computer-generated imagery, as well as stop-motion and other frame-by-frame techniques. A work described as animated is typically contrasted with live-action production, in which real-world performance is captured on camera.

Animation techniques vary. Traditional animation draws frames by hand, often on transparent cels; cel animation has largely been supplanted by digital 2D animation. Stop-motion uses physically manipulated objects photographed frame by frame. Computer-generated imagery (CGI) produces three-dimensional or two-dimensional animation through software; motion capture records real performances and retargets them as animated motion. Most contemporary animation combines multiple methods.

Historically, animation's earliest forms appeared with devices enabling the illusion of movement, such as the thaumatrope and zoetrope in the 19th century. Early feature animation emerged in the 1910s and 1920s with pioneers like Winsor McCay; the Disney studio popularized synchronized sound and higher-quality animation in the mid-20th century. The advent of CGI in the 1990s transformed the industry, enabling highly realistic characters and immersive worlds, as seen in feature films and video games.

Applications of animation include feature films, television series, short films, advertising, educational media, and user interfaces. In digital media, animation is used to communicate information, enhance storytelling, and create interactive experiences. The term animated thus denotes content capable of conveying motion through an animation process, whether traditional, digital, or hybrid.