Numerous possibilities to get creative
Now we know the advantages of interactive web animation and are ready to put the knowledge into action. There are various concepts and elements that you can incorporate into your website. However, these are by no means all the possibilities you have; there are no limits to creativity. I will now present the most popular options to give you a brief overview.
Motion Graphics; animated graphic elements
The simplest explanation of "motion graphics" is graphics that move. These have the same function as ordinary animations; graphic elements like a logo come to life. They are easy to implement and instantly make your homepage look a little more exciting with the same intention of arousing an audience's interest, making something clear and understandable, entertaining and looking good.
Continuous stories
Most "scrollytelling" pages are one-pagers that tell a story through linear scrolling with a beginning and an end. This eliminates the need for navigation elements, banners, sidebars and other elements and does not distract from the story. Text, image and video become one big concept. By scrolling, viewers are led through the plot piece by piece.
Moderating characters are our friends
The talking characters, which moderate actions, are an animation element that leads the viewer by the hand through the content. They can speak directly or casually, mention or explain things. In doing so, one feels accompanied and not abandoned. Complex processes can be gone through together step by step and ensure that everyone understands them. Another advantage is that you build up a special bond and a kind of personal relationship develops.
Parallax scrolling, what is it?
In "parallax scrolling", the objects in the foreground and background are not on the same plane. An action by a person causes the elements to move at different speeds. Usually, the background element moves slower than the element in the foreground. A 2-dimensional image immediately appears as detached and three-dimensional. The triggering of a movement can be done by scrolling or mouse movements of the user. Movements of the user and involves the interactivity between the web page and the viewer again.
Are explainer videos still relevant?
Complex topics, messages and information are often easier to explain visually with the help of a short explainer video. Content can be presented to viewers playfully and interestingly. In addition, a fast and informative explainer video attracts much more attention than a complicated and extended text. The disadvantage of an explainer video is that it is the most popular way to implement animations in web designs. Therefore, I advise you to choose a unique and appropriate animation style to tell a captivating and emotional story.
Why smooth transitions are highly relevant
The human eye is designed to perceive smooth transitions as pleasant. Choppy or halting changes should be avoided as much as possible because they irritate or give the feeling of a mistake. Transitions such as wiping, fading color gradients, reducing the size of elements improve the user experience and make the website appear successful and pleasant. The more fluid everything is, the less risk there is of losing focus on the desired part.
The subtleties of micro-interactions
To achieve an optional user experience for a web design often leaves small gaps that make the page feel incomplete. Micro-animations such as a flashing call-to-action button or a fly-in image element can fill these gaps. It is essential to find the balance between too low and too much. It often helps to ask outsiders what the homepage looks like to them.
Supporting sounds
Another essential element is the sound of an animation. For me personally, this is optional but can be the icing on the cake. With the right sound, you can get the most out of animation and support the visual message. You can be completely free to be creative with it, and it's ideal for making the user experience as great as possible.
Loading times with a difference
By loading a page, there can be long waiting times, depending on the amount of data. It is precise during this time that you should attract the target audience and their interest in the homepage. As soon as people get bored, there is a danger that they will leave the website. Nobody likes to be bored, so even waiting should become an experience. There is an opportunity to present your own brand personality and, depending on the situation, even entice viewers to smile.