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How to Ask for Feedback on Your Animation


Asking for feedback is a skill - and it begins with more than just “Does this look right?”


At Lupin House, one of the most common things we hear from students seeking feedback is:


“Does this look right?”

“How’s this looking so far?”


It’s a fair question! After all, animation is visual, and you want to know if what you’ve animated looks good. 


But here’s the thing: animation is not about looking “right.” It’s about communicating clearly and effectively - emotion, intention, story.


When you ask for feedback without context, it forces the viewer (whether it’s a mentor, a recruiter, or another animator) to guess what you're trying to say. That’s like handing someone a script without stage directions and asking if the acting is working!


Let’s change that :)


Animation is Communication

Your job as an animator isn’t just to make movement - it’s to make meaningful movement.

If your character turns their head, we don’t just care whether the arc is clean. We care why they’re turning.

  • Are they hearing something behind them?

  • Are they suspicious? Curious? Startled?

  • Are they reluctantly turning to face something they fear?


Each of these scenarios could lead to a similar action, but the intention behind it will inform timing, posing, spacing, and facial expression.


If you ask “Does this head turn look right?” without telling us what it's supposed to showcase, we can’t help you improve the animation - we can only guess.


Give Your Shot Context

When you’re ready for feedback, think like a director! You’re not just showing a movement - you’re designing a moment. So before hitting "send" on that feedback request, answer these questions:


  1. What’s the story of this shot?

    • What happened just before this moment?

    • What’s about to happen next?

  2. What’s the character thinking and feeling?

    • Are they trying to hide something? Trying to impress someone?

    • Are they reacting honestly or putting on an act?

  3. What’s the goal of this action?

    • Is the character trying to get someone’s attention? Avoid eye contact?

    • Is this the climax of a moment or the setup?


When you provide this context, you empower your mentor or peer to give you feedback that actually pushes your shot closer to your intention - not just a generic pass at “making it smoother.”


Be Specific With Your Questions

Instead of asking:“How does this look?” Try:

  • “This is a moment where the character realizes they’ve been caught lying. I want this eye dart and head turn to feel subtle, but guilty. Is that coming through?”


  • “My intention is to show the character getting increasingly frustrated while trying to stay polite. Do you think the escalation in body language feels natural?”


  • “This is supposed to be a moment of calm before the storm. I’m worried the stillness might read as stiffness. What do you think?”


Good feedback starts with good framing. The more clarity you offer, the more actionable insight you'll get back! :)


Remember: Animation is Subjective

There’s no single “right” answer in animation—there’s only clarity or confusion. Either your audience understands what the character is thinking… or they don’t.


Your job is to make that internal process external—and our job, as mentors, is to help you get there!


So next time you ask for feedback, don’t just ask if it “looks right.”


Tell us what you’re trying to say.


And we’ll help you say it better.


 
 
 

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