Generation of a multi-state symbol from an input graphic object is described. A multi-state graphic symbol system generates an outline and a base mesh for a graphic object. The multi-state graphic symbol system then defines graphic manipulation handles relative to the base mesh and deforms the base mesh by altering a state of the handles. Vectors describing initial positions and final positions of the handles are generated and stored with the outline and base mesh to define the graphic object's multi-state symbol. Additional poses can be generated by adding and/or modifying other handles, and each additional pose is stored as a vector in the multi-state symbol. Additional poses of the graphic object can be generated by interpolating between different vectors of the multi-state symbol. The multi-state graphic symbol system additionally enables for an interpolated pose to be generated based on separate user-defined paths for different handles of the multi-state symbol.