When I was young, I watched this animation that completely changed how I perceived things around me. It was a bird surrounded by grass, as tall as can be and as the bird flew higher the grass gave way to tall trees in a thick forest with a full canopy. The bird kept flying higher and above the canopy gave way to the open sky. As the bird kept flying higher the once very detailed forest became a background blur.

For me this was a powerful animation that opened my eyes to the world around me and all its possibilities. I always remember this animated video when I am on a plane or on top of mountains. For over 25 years I have not looked at the world without realizing that there is so much more to the world than what we see.

Knowing how animation has affected me also brings the realization of how animation can affect other people as well. Animation can be a very powerful tool that is used for entertainment as well as for influencing the minds of the viewers. When done well, animation can leave the viewers in deep thought and awe. Animation is one of the most powerful tools in a media creator’s tool kit.