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Animation

Motion is a tool to help convey important relationships, changes or transitions between elements. It should be used sparingly and intentionally, highlighting the right elements at the right moment.

Timings

The longer distance an object travel, the timing should be longer for the animation. However, when in doubt, we should avoid large, full screen animations.

Subtle animations, or objects leaving the screen should take 100-200 milliseconds. Objects entering the screen, or motion we want to use to direct user attention can take between 200-400 milliseconds. We should avoid animations of longer than 400 milliseconds as they will make the experience appear sluggish. If a specific animation feels like it will need more than 400 milliseconds, revisit the animation to see if there is a simpler, easier, shorter animation to implement.

Easing

Easing specifies the rate of change of a parameter over time (see easings.net). Adding an easing curve will make the motion feel more natural. Being consistent with the easing curves will make the whole experience feel more cohesive and connected.

  • When an object is entering the screen, or transforming the scale, position, or shape, use the easeOutQuint curve (cubic-bezier(0.23, 1, 0.32, 1))
  • When an object is leaving the screen, or transforming the opacity or color, no easing curve is needed. It shouldn't slow down as it is exiting the screen, as that draws attention on the leaving object, where we don't want it. Adding easing to opacity and color transitions will make the motion appear less smooth. Therefore, for these cases, motion should just be linear.

Types of animations

Hover

Interactive elements (links, buttons, etc.) should have a hover state. A subtle animation for this transition adds a polished feel. We should target a 100ms - 150ms linear transition for a color hover effect.

View the interactive example here.

Hover animation

Dropdowns

The dropdown menu should feel like it is appearing from the triggering element. Combining a position shift 400ms cubic-bezier(0.23, 1, 0.32, 1) with a opacity animation 200ms linear on the second half of the motion achieves this affect.

View the interactive example here.

Dropdown animation

Quick update

When information is updating in place, a quick, subtle animation is needed. The previous content should cut out, and the new content should have a quick, 200ms linear fade in.

Quick update animation

Moving transitions

When elements move on screen, there should be a quick animation so it is clear to users what moved where. The timing of this animation differs based on the amount of movement and change. Consider animations between 200ms and 400ms.

Shifting elements on reorder

An example of a moving transition is when elements have to move out of the way when you drag an element.

View the interactive example here.

Reorder animation

Autoscroll the page

Another example of a moving transition is when you have to autoscroll the page to keep an active element visible.

View the interactive example here. Autoscroll animation