With the rise of technological advancements in the modern era, animation is an emerging industry around the world. Companies have developed innovative animation technologies for industries such as advertising, film, and even education. Traditional classroom teaching methods have seen a significant change in recent years, owing primarily to the use of e-learning approaches in response to pandemic standards. There are many different contexts where animation is used. It is employed in many different educational fields, including architecture, elementary education, medicine, and fashion design. The use of animation in education has contributed to improving instruction and making learning easier to understand and more efficient. Almost every field of education makes use of animation. Despite advancements in animation and virtual reality technologies, real-world items continue to give superior haptic feedback and kinetic engagement, highlighting technology’s limitations in reproducing tangible experiences. This review delves into the transformative impact of animation in design education, navigating through the intersections of technological advancements and evolving pedagogical frameworks. Amidst the proliferation of digital learning environments, this study critically examines animation’s role as a comprehensive educational instrument within the realm of design pedagogy. Employing an in-depth literature review and empirical analyses of modern educational initiatives, including Khan Academy’s Pixar in a Box and Duolingo’s Animated Lessons, the investigation unveils animation’s pivotal contributions.