Animation involves displaying still images in sequence at a rate of 24 frames per second to create the illusion of motion. There are two main types of animation: 2D animation uses flat images on the x-y axes, while 3D animation adds depth along the z-axis. Storyboards are used to plan out animation sequences by showing individual shots or screens and their order. Different roles in animation include animators who create the frames, inbetweeners who draw frames between key poses, and layout artists who prepare backgrounds and stage scenes.