2D Character Rigging and Animation in After Effects

Bringing 2D characters to life requires a solid grasp of structural rigging, kinematic systems, and fundamental motion principles. This written course provides a structured path to understanding how character assets are organized, connected, and animated inside After Effects. You will build a practical understanding of how to transform static vector designs into flexible, reusable character rigs. Through detailed conceptual breakdowns and written step-by-step instructions, you will gain the confidence to plan, rig, and animate characters for modern motion design projects. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational animation vocabulary, coordinate systems, and layer preparation standards - Configure joint chains, controllers, and inverse kinematics (IK) setups using null objects and hierarchy parenting - Apply core animation principles including weight, anticipation, follow-through, and keyframe velocity - Construct smooth walk cycles, poses, and character gestures using graph editor curve management - Implement lightweight expressions for automated secondary motion and facial control systems - Structure clean, modular project files suitable for collaborative production pipelines The course begins with fundamental terminology and setup requirements before progressing into rigging architecture, posing mechanics, and full movement sequences. This course is designed for beginners and motion design enthusiasts who want to master character workflows without any prior rigging experience. Start reading today to establish your foundational character animation skills.