# The Animator’s Survival Kit

> Interactive guide to animation principles by Richard Williams with animated examples. (iPhone/iPad app by Faber and Faber.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-animators-survival-kit/id627438690 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Faber and Faber](https://appshunter.io/developer/405489474)
- Category: Reference, Education
- Price: $34.99
- Rating: 3.50/5 from 32 App Store ratings · 68 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 891 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-04-16
- Data updated: 2026-07-06
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-animators-survival-kit/id627438690/reviews.md

## What is The Animator’s Survival Kit?

World-renowned animator and triple-Oscar-winner Richard Williams presents ‘The Animator’s Survival Kit’ for iPad. 

Taking the globally bestselling Kit to a whole new dimension, this app provides the underlying principles that every animator needs. Aspiring or professional, digital, classical or stop motion, animators can now engage with Williams and his work like never before. Watch unreleased films or interact with over 100 animated examples — learn from the legend himself.

Features:
■ the complete ‘Expanded Edition’ of ‘The Animator’s Survival Kit’
■ over 100 animated examples from ‘The Animator’s Survival Kit Animated’ DVD box set, scrubbable frame-by-frame
■ ‘onion-skinning’ functionality on selected animated examples, showing previous and following frames live
■ previously unreleased animations by Richard Williams, including a 9-minute film, ‘Circus Drawings’
■ new pieces-to-camera from Richard Williams to put the app in context

“A sublime and spellbinding app... It epitomizes everything an eBook-app crossbreed should be. It uses the full capabilities of the iPad’s processing power and screen to deliver a visually stunning, entertaining and enthralling masterpiece... If you’re a budding animator with a spare $35, you won’t regret it.”
—The Next Web, Pick of the Day, 29 April 2013

“The Animator’s Survival Kit app is a joy to use for anyone interested in animation, and suitable for any level of ability.”
—CG Channel

“I can’t imagine an audience who won’t love this app. From school kids, just growing an interest in drawing to retirees, this book / app is perfect for anyone looking for a wonderful excursion into a new topic or attempting to expand their craft.”
—TUAW.com

“an ABSOLUTE MUST HAVE for any animators with an iPad. If you are an animator, and you don’t have an iPad, you may even consider buying one just for this app alone. It really is that good!”
—Animation Scoop

“We love it. It is better than the book, better than the DVD series. It perfectly combines the best qualities of print and video... a huge step forward for learning animation.”
—Animation Apprentice

“The essential tool for both aspiring novice and seasoned pro. I love that an animator can step forward and backwards through the animation. The ‘slide to animate’ bar below the animated clips is very useful as it allows you to isolate and study a particular arc or path of action. Moving your finger left and right, slowly or quickly, advances or rewinds the action. Being able to study the animated examples without having to load up a DVD on another device is amazingly useful. Now it is obvious that this is the way to view and learn from the animated examples.”
—Rob Coleman, two-time Oscar nominee, Animation Director on the Star Wars prequels

“Good news for animators of all stripes – pro or student, digital and hand-drawn. The master himself demonstrates principles of character animation with interactive samples and exclusive extras (including new Williams shorts). Now you can have access to Williams’ wisdom all the time. It’s a must-have for both studios and classrooms – smart, stylish and a class act all the way!”
—John Canemaker, NYU animation professor and Academy Award winner

## Key features

- Complete 'Expanded Edition' of the Survival Kit
- Over 100 frame-by-frame scrubbable animated examples
- Onion-skinning functionality on selected examples
- Previously unreleased animations by Richard Williams
- New pieces-to-camera from Richard Williams

## Recent user reviews (10 of 68)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-animators-survival-kit/id627438690/reviews.md

### 5/5 — What kind of more can I say?

*2026-04-16, version 1.1.1*

This is an excellent alternative to the expensive DVDs.

### 5/5 — 2025 Still No Sound (update has sound!!)

*2025-02-12, version 1.1.1*

Overall it is the same as the book which is nice for me as a student so I don’t have to carry the book to school everyday but it is still upsetting not to have audio. I don't know if that will ever be fixed. The app loads up just fine. Edit: folks we have sound now!!!

### 3/5 — 2025 Still No Sound

*2025-01-22*

Overall it is the same as the book which is nice for me as a student so I don’t have to carry the book to school everyday but it is still upsetting not to have audio. I don't know if that will ever be fixed. The app loads up just fine.

### 5/5 — Simply a gem

*2023-03-01, version 1.1.1*

I have had this app since 2014. I still dip into it from time to time. A wonderful complement to the book and the DVD series.

### 3/5 — Still no sound on videos but content good.

*2022-05-27*

The audio on the video sections with Richard are still silent. Doesn’t seem to be any way via settings to correct this. The written content is great but the app as far as I can see is broken. And it is the app not my iPad.

### 4/5 — Sound not working

*2022-05-26, version 1.1.1*

Great app, missing out on videos as there is no sound still. Really upset about this for the price.

### 5/5 — It works now

*2022-03-10, version 1.1.1*

Now after an update it’s working and I’m a lot happier it helps to see the animations!

### 4/5 — 한글판 내주세요ㅠㅠ

*2022-03-06, version 1.1.1*

한글판 안 나오겠죠...?

### 5/5 — Great Tool

*2021-11-11, version 1.1.1*

It’s 99 percent there if the app was able to support split view it would be 100

### 5/5 — Very interactive "book"

*2021-09-01, version 1.1.1*

It took some getting used to at first but it's a good mix of video and reading material. Sounds kind of obvious but make sure you take silent mode off of your iPad to listen to the audio.

## Frequently asked questions about The Animator’s Survival Kit

### What is The Animator's Survival Kit app?

The Animator's Survival Kit app is a digital version of the globally bestselling book by Richard Williams, offering the underlying principles of animation. It includes interactive features, over 100 animated examples, and exclusive content from the renowned animator.

### What are the key features of this app?

Key features include the complete 'Expanded Edition' of the book, over 100 animated examples that can be scrubbed frame-by-frame, 'onion-skinning' functionality on select animations, previously unreleased films by Richard Williams, and new explanatory videos from the animator himself.

### How much does The Animator's Survival Kit app cost?

Based on the provided information, the app is a paid application. One review mentions a price of $35, suggesting a one-time purchase cost.

### What are the system requirements for this app?

The app is specifically designed for iPad, leveraging its processing power and screen capabilities. It is not available for other platforms like Android or desktop computers.

### Who would benefit from using this app?

This app is beneficial for anyone interested in animation, regardless of their skill level. This includes aspiring animators, professional animators in digital, classical, or stop motion fields, students, and even hobbyists looking to explore animation.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.1.1 — 2021-08-13

General application optimisation and updates

### 1.1.0 — 2021-08-02

General application update and bug fixes

### 1.0.3 — 2017-06-06

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Adds support for 64 bit iPads which fixes a warning that some users would get when running the app.

### 1.0.2 — 2014-11-21

Fixes some video playback issues in the extras section for iOS 8

### 1.0.1 — 2013-09-11

- Video playback fixes for iOS 7

## Apps similar to The Animator’s Survival Kit

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Disney Lorcana TCG Companion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/disney-lorcana-tcg-companion/id6444333831) | 4.2 (453) | Free | Reference |

## More apps by Faber and Faber

- [Animator's Survival Kit Sample](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/animators-survival-kit-sample/id627890702)

All apps by Faber and Faber: https://appshunter.io/developer/405489474

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-06.*
