golden-rules-of-mastering-web-animation

The Golden Rules of Mastering Web Animations

Brands are now taking a different path for web platforms. Moving things on the web can make things interesting, but can also be a deal breaker if not done right. You need to keep animations effective across browsers and choose between the different animations options available on the internet. Here are some expert tips for motions in your UI project.

Make it suitable for the device

Considering the type of device you will show the animation on, design it accordingly. You can take different approaches based on the device which will be used. For desktop experience, you can add effects which will look good with mouse movements. Also, try to adopt simplicity and create global animations that are appropriate for any device it would be displayed on. Mobile users will create movement through touch, so design accordingly.

Pay attention to existing mental models

There some real-world physics rules which dictate how certain objects’ movement will affect the user. Some motions can trigger a user’s attention, while some can go unnoticed. You need to see which ones to use or keep a balance between both to achieve the desired effect. Animations, when used with mental models, can make your animation look better. You can search for the 12 basic principles of animation for a better understanding.

Create for the audience

This is a golden rule that applies to everything. If your audience gets too much distracted by the animation, then you can lose their attention from the main content. Also, the number of animations you include in your interface should depend on the target audience of your brand. If your audience includes young people, then lots of bouncy motion can work for them. But the same can be off-putting for a generally older audience as they need to absorb the content and space.

Keep them short

The timing of your animations is important to decide before creating them. If you create too long movements, the user may get annoyed. Keeping them short is the key to get them right. An expert tip is to opt for slower animations when you are animating a transition so that you don’t attract unnecessary attention from users.

While movements in the interface can up your design game make sure you don’t include them just for the sake of it. Think about their usability. Check which purpose it will fulfill. The different types of motions are connected to the different use they will serve to the interface. Forcing them on the user is not recommended as they can get motion sickness. There should always be an option available to the user to skip it, especially the long ones.