Keyframe

Keyframe

Keyframe is a fundamental concept in animation and motion design that refers to a specific frame in a sequence where the defining properties of an object or scene are set. In traditional hand-drawn animation, keyframes were the frames drawn by the lead animator to establish the critical points of a character's movement or expression, while the frames in between were filled in by assistant animators. This concept has been carried over to digital animation and motion graphics, where keyframes are used to define the starting and ending points of a movement or transformation. By setting different properties such as position, scale, rotation, or opacity at these keyframes, animators can create smooth, interpolated transitions between them. This allows for the creation of complex, dynamic animations without the need to manually adjust every single frame. Keyframes are essential in creating a sense of timing, pacing, and rhythm in animation, and they form the backbone of most motion design work across various fields such as film, television, web design, and user interface design.

Keyframe, animation, motion design, interpolation, computer graphics

— Stephan Trump

CITATION : "Stephan Trump. 'Keyframe.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/keyframe?E=436103 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"