You might not notice it, but you encounter animations every single day when you browse websites and use apps. They draw your attention to CTA buttons, inform you that the page is loading, make navigation smoother with sleek transitions, and more.
To put it bluntly, users expect UX animations from the digital products they use. So, if you’re designing one, you’ll have to factor in those expectations, all while striking the fine balance between aesthetics and purpose to avoid annoying or distracting them.
At Fivecube, we help startups and SMEs turn their designs into interactive, responsive digital products. Here’s our mini-crash course on UX animations.
What Are UX Animations?
UX animations are the dynamic visual effects that add motion to the visual elements in your digital product design. They typically respond to a specific user action, such as hovering over an element or clicking a button.
Keep in mind that UX animation design isn’t exactly the same as motion design. When we provide motion design services, for example, we can animate vector illustrations or logos or even create short videos to present a product. UX animations, in turn, are usually smaller in scale and focus on adding motion to UI elements: buttons, progress bars, etc.
Common UX animations include:
Loading animations reassure the user that the system is functional and is processing certain information
Progress animations communicate the user’s place in the flow and how far they are from completing it
State changes inform users about previously locked actions becoming available (e.g., a grayed-out button becoming green)
Navigational animations help users find what they’re looking for and understand the navigational hierarchy or the direction they’re moving in
Microinteractions provide feedback for user interactions and communicate system changes
Why Use UX Animations?
UX animations can serve multiple purposes, from improving UX/UI intuitiveness to reflecting your brand identity.
Adding Personality
You won’t find a completely static website or app these days, and one reason behind it is that static UI/UX design feels dull and lifeless to users. Well-chosen, subtle animations can make your product feel more interactive and alive overall. Bold animations in the hero section of a website, on the other hand, can grab the user’s attention and make your brand more memorable.
Providing Feedback to Users
Certain types of animations, like the loading bar, communicate to users what the system is doing under the hood or highlight changes. Others serve as a response to user actions, subtly informing them that their action was taken into account.
Guiding Users
Animations can also provide visual cues to help users navigate the application or website or complete a certain task. They’re especially useful during onboarding to guide users through your product’s features.
Reducing Cognitive Load
Humans process visual information faster than textual one. So, for example, a field shaking helps users realize that the entered password was wrong faster than if they had to read the error message under it. That creates a more intuitive, frictionless user experience, leading to higher engagement and satisfaction.
When You Should Add Animations to UX
How to Successfully Incorporate UX Animations
To be a value-adding feature that doesn’t become a source of irritation for users, your UX animations should be:
Purposeful and relevant. Don’t add an animation simply “because it looks cool” or “because it’s trendy, right?”. Every animation should serve a specific purpose: give feedback to the user, draw attention, etc.
Intuitive and clear. UX animations should reduce cognitive load, not add to it. So, don’t try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to standard animations like loading bars. Otherwise, you risk confusing users instead of helping them navigate your product.
Simple. Overly complex animations take time to execute, which can negatively impact performance and slow down user flows.
Not too fast nor too slow. The sweet spot for animation duration sits at 200 ms to 500 ms, but the optimal speed depends heavily on the type of animation and the screen size. To be perceived as instant, the animation duration should be under 100 ms.
Consistent. Animation speed, duration, and style should be consistent throughout the product so that users know what to expect from interactions. Consistency is key to creating a uniform, cohesive user experience.
As for the nitty-gritty of implementing UX animations, designers typically apply these 12 principles of motion design to visual elements:
Final Thoughts
UX animations are one more way you can communicate with your users, and an effective one at that — provided you get it right, of course. To do that, ensure your every animation serves a clear purpose to avoid overdoing it. Steer clear of purely decorative animations, too.
Ready to add character to your UX/UI design with well-weighed, purposeful animations? Fivecube can make your product feel interactive and responsive, all without distracting or annoying users. Get in touch with our team to discuss how our UX animation expertise can help you foster user engagement and satisfaction.
Jul 29, 2025
By
Fivecube Team
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