Definition & Meaning of "traditional animation"

What is "traditional animation"?

Traditional animation is a technique where each frame of a film is hand-drawn or painted to create the illusion of movement. This method involves creating individual images, or frames, which are then displayed in sequence to produce fluid animation. Artists draw each frame by hand, often on transparent sheets called cels, and these images are then photographed and projected at a high speed to achieve smooth motion. Traditional animation is known for its detailed and artistic quality, though it is labor-intensive compared to modern digital methods.