8.1 - Principles of Motion Design
Enroll to start learning
Youβve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Easing Functions
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Today, we're going to explore **easing functions**. They help create fluid and natural movements in animations. Can anyone tell me what you think an easing function does?
I think it makes animations look smoother.
Exactly! Easing functions fine-tune how slowly or quickly an animation starts and ends. We have three types: Ease-In, Ease-Out, and Ease-In-Out. Can anyone give a brief description of each?
Ease-In starts slow and speeds up, right?
Great! And what about Ease-Out?
That one starts fast and slows down.
Perfect! Remembering these can help you design better transitions. A quick mnemonic to remember: **EASE** - Ease starts slow, and Accelerate. Now, whatβs the benefit of using Ease-In-Out?
It makes the animation feel more complete since it slows down at the end.
Yes! It offers clarity in transitions. Let's summarize what we discussed: Easing functions enhance smoothness in animations by adjusting acceleration.
Duration Standards
π Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Next, let's talk about **duration standards** for animation. Why do you think the duration of an animation is crucial?
It can affect how users feel about the interface.
Yes, the duration impacts the user's perception and overall experience. Micro-interactions should ideally be between **150β300 milliseconds**. Why do we keep them short?
To keep users engaged and not frustrated?
Exactly! And for page transitions, we usually recommend **400β600 milliseconds**. Can someone suggest a situation where a longer duration might be beneficial?
Maybe when youβre transitioning between complex pages, it gives users time to process the change?
Spot on! A slower transition can help in managing user expectations and understanding. So remember this: Quick for micro-interactions, moderate for transitions. Let's sum up today's lesson.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, the principles of motion design are introduced as essential elements that contribute to a compelling user interface. Key concepts such as easing functions and duration standards for micro-interactions and transitions are highlighted to equip designers with the tools to create dynamic and engaging experiences.
Detailed
Principles of Motion Design
Motion design plays a vital role in enhancing user experience by utilizing animation principles to guide users through an interface. Two core principles discussed include:
Easing Functions
Easing functions control the acceleration of animations, making movements appear more organic and natural. The three main types are:
- Ease-In: Starts slowly and speeds up, ideal for drawing attention.
- Ease-Out: Starts quickly and slows down as it finishes, suitable for concluding actions with a softer touch.
- Ease-In-Out: Combines both ease-in and ease-out, creating a smooth transition both at the start and end of an animation.
Duration Standards
The duration of animations contributes significantly to how an interaction is perceived. Recommended duration standards include:
- Micro-interactions: Should last between 150β300 ms to maintain user engagement.
- Page transitions: Generally range from 400β600 ms to provide clarity without overly disrupting the experience.
Understanding and implementing these principles allows designers to craft transitions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but functionally effective, ensuring that users can intuitively navigate through their digital experiences.
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Easing Functions
Chapter 1 of 2
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
β Easing Functions:
β Ease-in, ease-out, ease-in-out.
Detailed Explanation
Easing functions are critical in motion design because they control the acceleration of animations. 'Ease-in' means the animation starts slowly and then speeds up, while 'ease-out' means it starts fast and slows down before it finishes. 'Ease-in-out' combines both, starting slow, speeding up in the middle, and then slowing down again at the end, making animations feel more natural and pleasing to the eye.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a car accelerating. When you press the gas pedal, the car doesn't immediately go full speed; it gradually speeds up (ease-in). When you're approaching a stop, you don't slam the brakes; instead, you gradually slow down (ease-out). This gradual speed change mimics how easing functions work in motion design.
Duration Standards
Chapter 2 of 2
π Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
β Duration Standards:
β Micro-interactions: 150β300 ms; Page transitions: 400β600 ms.
Detailed Explanation
Duration standards refer to the recommended time lengths for different types of animations. Micro-interactions should happen quickly (between 150 and 300 milliseconds) because they are meant to give feedback without disrupting the user experience. Page transitions, which are more significant changes in the UI, should last a little longer (400 to 600 milliseconds) to allow users to visually follow the change without feeling rushed. These durations help create smooth and satisfying interactions.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you're watching a movie. Quick cuts between scenes (like a quick micro-interaction) should happen swiftly so you can follow the story without interruption, while a sweeping scene transition (like a page transition) can take its time to let the audience soak in the new setting before moving on.
Key Concepts
-
Easing Functions: Control the acceleration of animations, enhancing user experience.
-
Micro-Interactions: Brief animations that enhance feedback in user interfaces.
-
Duration Standards: Recommended timeframes that affect user perception of animations.
Examples & Applications
Using ease-in for buttons that draw attention when hovered over.
Implementing ease-out for notifications that appear and fade away to keep the user engaged and informed.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
For animations that start slow, ease in will make it go, and when it's time to cease, ease out brings the peace.
Stories
Imagine an animated character that wakes up. It slowly rises from bed (Ease-In), then as it goes to its tasks, it quickly moves and finishes, before slowing down as it goes to sleep again (Ease-Out).
Memory Tools
EASE - Easing functions promote Animation Smoothness and Engagement.
Acronyms
MICE - Micro-interactions Instill Clarity in Engagement.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Easing Function
A mathematical function that defines the rate of change of a parameter over time, used to create more fluid animations.
- EaseIn
An animation that starts slowly and accelerates towards its end.
- EaseOut
An animation that starts quickly but decelerates as it concludes.
- EaseInOut
An animation that starts slowly, accelerates, and then slows down at the end.
- Duration Standards
The recommended timeframes for the length of animations to enhance user experience.
- MicroInteraction
Brief animations that occur in response to user actions, designed to provide feedback.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.