8.1 - Principles of Motion Design

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Easing Functions

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

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?

Student 1
Student 1

I think it makes animations look smoother.

Teacher
Teacher

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?

Student 2
Student 2

Ease-In starts slow and speeds up, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Great! And what about Ease-Out?

Student 3
Student 3

That one starts fast and slows down.

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! Remembering these can help you design better transitions. A quick mnemonic to remember: **EASE** - Ease starts slow, and Accelerate. Now, whatโ€™s the benefit of using Ease-In-Out?

Student 4
Student 4

It makes the animation feel more complete since it slows down at the end.

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! It offers clarity in transitions. Let's summarize what we discussed: Easing functions enhance smoothness in animations by adjusting acceleration.

Duration Standards

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0:00
Teacher
Teacher

Next, let's talk about **duration standards** for animation. Why do you think the duration of an animation is crucial?

Student 1
Student 1

It can affect how users feel about the interface.

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, the duration impacts the user's perception and overall experience. Micro-interactions should ideally be between **150โ€“300 milliseconds**. Why do we keep them short?

Student 2
Student 2

To keep users engaged and not frustrated?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! And for page transitions, we usually recommend **400โ€“600 milliseconds**. Can someone suggest a situation where a longer duration might be beneficial?

Student 3
Student 3

Maybe when youโ€™re transitioning between complex pages, it gives users time to process the change?

Teacher
Teacher

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

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Quick Overview

This section outlines the key principles of motion design, including the use of easing functions and duration standards for enhanced user experience.

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 150โ€“300 ms to maintain user engagement.
- Page transitions: Generally range from 400โ€“600 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

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Easing Functions

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โ— Easing Functions:
โ—‹ 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

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โ— Duration Standards:
โ—‹ Micro-interactions: 150โ€“300 ms; Page transitions: 400โ€“600 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.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

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 & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • 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

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

๐ŸŽต Rhymes Time

  • For animations that start slow, ease in will make it go, and when it's time to cease, ease out brings the peace.

๐Ÿ“– Fascinating 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).

๐Ÿง  Other Memory Gems

  • EASE - Easing functions promote Animation Smoothness and Engagement.

๐ŸŽฏ Super Acronyms

MICE - Micro-interactions Instill Clarity in Engagement.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Easing Function

    Definition:

    A mathematical function that defines the rate of change of a parameter over time, used to create more fluid animations.

  • Term: EaseIn

    Definition:

    An animation that starts slowly and accelerates towards its end.

  • Term: EaseOut

    Definition:

    An animation that starts quickly but decelerates as it concludes.

  • Term: EaseInOut

    Definition:

    An animation that starts slowly, accelerates, and then slows down at the end.

  • Term: Duration Standards

    Definition:

    The recommended timeframes for the length of animations to enhance user experience.

  • Term: MicroInteraction

    Definition:

    Brief animations that occur in response to user actions, designed to provide feedback.