The Great Debate On X: 5 Ways 'Squash And Stretch' Is Redefining Modern Animation (And Why Critics Hate It)

The concept of 'squash and stretch', a cornerstone of traditional animation, is currently at the heart of a vibrant and often contentious debate across the platform formerly known as Twitter, now X. As of December 2025, the discourse isn't just about teaching the fundamental principle; it’s about its adaptation, evolution, and perceived overuse in the high-speed, diverse landscape of modern digital media, from blockbuster video games to viral motion graphics.

Originally conceived by Disney legends, this principle gives characters and objects the illusion of weight, volume, and flexibility, but its application today is far more complex, sparking daily arguments among professional animators, game developers, and motion designers about where the line between "lively" and "over-animated" truly lies.

The 12 Principles of Animation: A Quick Profile

The "Squash and Stretch" principle is the first and arguably most famous of the 12 Principles of Animation, codified by Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas in their 1981 book, The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. This biographical profile outlines the core entities involved in the principle's foundation and modern context:

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• Principle Name: Squash and Stretch (often abbreviated as S&S).
• Primary Purpose: To convey a sense of weight, mass, and flexibility to an animated object.
• Core Rule: An object's volume must remain constant; if it stretches in one direction (e.g., height), it must compress (squash) in the perpendicular directions (e.g., width and depth).
• Founders/Codifiers: Walt Disney Studio animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas.
• Historical Context: Developed in the 1930s Golden Age of Animation to bring life to characters like Mickey Mouse and the Seven Dwarfs.
• Modern Application Fields: 2D Character Animation, 3D Animation, Video Game Development, User Experience (UX) Design, and Motion Graphics.
• Related Principles (LSI Entities): Anticipation, Staging, Follow Through and Overlapping Action, Timing, and Exaggeration.

The X (Twitter) Discourse: Why S&S is Both Praised and Polarizing

The conversation on X is far from a simple tutorial; it’s a battleground of stylistic choices. A significant portion of the debate revolves around the principle's application in contemporary media, where speed and efficiency often clash with artistic subtlety. Animators frequently share clips to illustrate "good" versus "bad" S&S, creating viral threads that dissect frame-by-frame decisions.

1. The Rise of 'Over-Animation' Critique

One of the most frequent criticisms shared on X is the concept of "over-animation." Some animators argue that the principle is now being applied too aggressively, making characters or objects feel manic and distracting rather than lively. This debate often surfaces when discussing modern video games, where critics claim that excessive squash and stretch can make the character movement feel "weirdly over-animated" or floaty, rather than grounded.

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This sentiment is particularly strong in discussions comparing modern, hyper-elastic animation styles to the more subtle, controlled application seen in classic animation or certain Japanese animation (anime) styles, where the principle is often used with more restraint to maintain a specific aesthetic.

2. S&S as the Secret Sauce for Motion Graphics

Conversely, the motion graphics community on X champions squash and stretch as an essential tool for creating engaging, dynamic UI and explanatory videos. In this context, the principle is used to give abstract shapes and text a sense of personality and impact. For example, brands like Duolingo have mastered the use of cartoonish squash-and-stretch in their push notification animations, turning simple digital feedback into a memorable, humorous experience.

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Tutorials and quick tips for applying S&S in software like After Effects are constantly trending, proving its relevance not just for character artists but for designers working on corporate videos, app interfaces, and title sequences. This application highlights the principle's role in modern UX Design, where micro-interactions need to feel responsive and tactile.

5 Ways 'Squash and Stretch' is Redefining Modern Animation

The current X discourse is less about abandoning the principle and more about its sophisticated evolution. Here are five key areas where S&S is being redefined and discussed today:

1. Subtlety in 3D Character Rigs

In high-fidelity 3D animation, the debate centers on subtlety. While early 3D models were often criticized for lacking the "life" of 2D characters, modern studios like Pixar and Naughty Dog now apply S&S in a refined, almost invisible way. The principle is used to convey subtler emotional nuances, such as a slight stretch in a character's face during a surprise, or a gentle squash in their body as they land from a jump, adding weight without breaking the realism of the 3D model.

2. The 'Bob Clampett' Influence Revival

A recent trend on X involves celebrating the extreme, elastic style of animation pioneers like Bob Clampett and Rod Scribner (known for their work on Looney Tunes). This style represents S&S at its most exaggerated. Current animators are using this extreme elasticity to create viral short-form animations that prioritize raw energy and humor over realism, directly challenging the notion that animation must always be subtle.

3. The Principle in Game Feel (Gamer Discourse)

The principle is now a major talking point in the game development community on X. Games like Overwatch and Jak & Daxter are frequently cited as masters of using S&S to enhance "game feel" or responsiveness. When a character performs a powerful punch or a quick dash, the momentary squash and stretch on their body provides immediate, satisfying visual feedback, making the player feel the impact and speed, even if the movement is physically impossible. This application is crucial for the Timing and Spacing principle.

4. Efficiency in Fast Production Pipelines

With the demand for quick animated content (social media shorts, explainers, etc.), animators are discussing how to implement S&S efficiently. This has led to the popularity of plugins and scripts in software like After Effects that automate or simplify the application of S&S to layers and text. The debate here is whether these automated tools sacrifice the artistic control and intent required for true master-level animation.

5. The Future of AI and S&S

As Generative AI tools enter the animation space, a new facet of the debate has emerged. Animators on X are discussing whether AI can truly understand and apply the principle of S&S with the correct artistic intent—maintaining volume constancy and serving the character's emotion—or if it will merely create visually stretchy, but soulless, movement. This discussion underscores the principle's status as a fundamental measure of an animator's skill and understanding of physics and emotion.

Conclusion: The Enduring Elasticity of a Classic Principle

The "squash and stretch" principle is not a relic of the past; it is a living, breathing concept that continues to evolve under the intense scrutiny of the global animation community on X. The constant praise, critique, and adaptation of this fundamental rule—from the subtle facial expressions in 3D films to the exaggerated motion in viral shorts—proves its enduring power. The debate is a healthy sign that animators are constantly pushing the boundaries of what animation can communicate, ensuring that the first of the 12 principles remains the most essential tool for bringing life to the inanimate.