3 Main Types of Animation in Mobile App Design

The animation is not just the visual luxury that users expect. Animation solves many functional problems in interfaces and allows interfaces to feel alive and really respond to user actions.

Let's look at key animation tactics that will enhance the functionality and emotional power of your mobile design app interface.

1. System Status

There are always several processes in your application that take place behind the scenes, for example, data is downloaded from the server, and calculations are taking place. Such a process always takes some time. You must inform the user that the application is not blocked and indicate the status of the current processing. Visual signs of progress give users a sense of control over the application.

Loading indicators

Download time is an inevitable situation for most digital products. Although the animation does not solve the problem, the animation will alleviate the problem.

When we cannot shorten the time, we can make the wait more pleasant.

Creative progress indicators can decrease user perception of time. Animation effects the way users perceive your product, which makes it better than it actually is.

If the application gives users something interesting to watch while waiting, it forces users to pay less attention to the wait itself.

Notifications

Since the movement naturally attracts attention, revitalizing your notifications is a nice way to notify users of something without intruding too much on the interaction experience.

2. Navigation and navigation

The most basic use of animation is in transitions. The logic behind this type of animation is to help the user understand the changes that just happened in the page layout, what caused the change, and how to initiate the change later. A classic example is the burger menu button, which switches hidden content.

Although burger menu animation may be the most anticipated option, there are many other ways that animation complements navigation.

Transport between navigation contexts

Designers use animation to seamlessly move users between navigation contexts and explain changes in the layout of items on the screen.

Transitions should act as intermediaries between the various states of the user interface, helping users understand what happens when the screen changes.

Visual hierarchy and connection between elements

The animation is ideal for describing interface objects and illustrating how they interact with each other.

Function change

In some cases, designers are forced to create an action button whose functionality changes under certain conditions. We often see this in mobile projects where overall space is limited.

This type of animation shows how an element changes when a user interacts with it. In the example below, when the user presses the floating button, the plus sign turns into a pencil. This indicates that the pencil is the main method of interaction. Such a small detail means the difference between having to guess what will happen next and find out what the icon means in any state.

3. Visual feedback

Visual feedback is critical to any user interface. This makes users feel that everything is under control, and for the user, management means knowing and understanding his current context in the system at any given time.

The confirmation

User interface elements, such as buttons and controls, should appear tangible even if they are behind a layer of glass.

In the physical world, buttons, controls, and other objects react to our interactions with them. People expect a similar level of response from user interface controls.

To bridge this gap, visual motion signals confirm input with animation.

Visualization of action results

Animation can improve every point of interaction and enhance the actions that the user performs.
In the Stripe example below, when the user clicks the “Pay” button, a counter appears briefly before the application shows the success status. Fast animations make users feel like they made payments easily, and users really appreciate these important details.

An animation is a powerful tool for creating an effective interface when used properly. This adds life to any design, attracts users to even the most ordinary tasks, and, of course, distinguishes presentation from a mass of similar ones.