UI Animation—How to Apply Disney’s 12 Principles of Animation to UI Design

This article explores how Disney's 12 Principles of Animation can be applied to UI design for effective animation. The principles are as follows:

Squash and Stretch

This principle can be used to make UI elements appear dynamic and fluid, in order to draw attention to important elements such as buttons.

Anticipation

Anticipation can be used to help users understand the outcome or consequence of their actions, which can help them navigate the interface more effectively.

Staging

This principle helps create a clear, easy-to-understand visual hierarchy in your UI animations, making them more intuitive and user-friendly.

Straight Ahead Action and Pose to Pose

UI designers will most likely find it more practical to use the pose-to-pose method, except in cases where unusual animations are needed.

Follow Through and Overlapping Action

This principle involves creating subtle follow-through animations to help objects appear more natural and authentic. It can also be used to highlight changes in focus or attention.

Slow In and Slow Out

Timing is crucial in UI design, and the slow in-slow out principle can be used to communicate how long a process will take.

Arc

This principle is used to create more natural, flowing motion that feels more realistic and visually appealing.

Secondary Action

Secondary actions can be used to elicit emotional reactions from users, making the experience more enjoyable and enhancing engagement.

Timing

Timing can be used to help users understand how long different activities take within the interface.

Exaggeration

Exaggeration can be used to convey important information or help guide users towards key interactions.

Solid Drawing

UI designers who understand the basics of drawing and visual design will be better equipped to create successful animations.

Appeal

Designers must ensure that animations are meaningful and relevant to the interface, rather than simply adding them for the sake of having them.

Incorporating Disney's 12 Principles of Animation into UI design can help create more engaging and user-friendly interfaces, enhancing overall user satisfaction and experience. For more information, read "The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation" by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.