Browser technology has evolved leaps and bounds in the past five years. As a result, integrated animations are a major part of a bog-standard website. Thanks to IA, the user can benefit from a helpful video or moving picture which has interesting and educational information. On a more basic level, they can help avoid boredom. Many websites have problems with load-up speeds, and animations keep the viewer engaged during this period. Trying to get the perfect IA balance is tricky for novices. Thankfully, some guidelines and tips can make creating animations ten times easier. The following is what you need to know.
Be Simple
3D images appear complicated, and website owners fall into the trap of being too complex. Like most things in life, the key to success is to understand the basics. From an animations standpoint, the first port of call is to choose an accessible and easy to navigate tool. Adobe Animate and Flash are two software programs which are renowned for their effortlessness. Next is the development stage, which means mastering the fundamentals. The only way to do this is to spend time getting used to the program’s features and understanding how they work.
Be Subtle
Another fail is to make animations the main focus of the page. The reason this usually doesn’t work is that it’s too obvious. People see it and think it’s tacky and over the top. Therefore, subtlety is a trait to keep in mind at all times. Interaction Design and Animations is a free e-book which has fantastic examples such as the twirl of text method. In this instance, the words spring into life as the cursor hovers over the content. Simple it may be, but it catches the eye and wows and that adds to the user experience.
Be Direct
Being subtle and direct at the same time is one of the hardest parts of aesthetics. However, if you want web design to be a significant part of the site, you have to take on the challenge. Luckily, the balance isn’t as difficult to find as it sounds. An excellent tip to remember is to use contrast to your advantage. Consider a large video welcoming people and explaining the point of the site. To make this less ostentatious, the rest of the site should be simple and quite bare. That way, there won’t be too many animations on the screen confusing the traffic.
Be Predictable
The temptation to do something creative is strong, and you shouldn’t resist the urge. But, don’t mess with the dynamics of the animations as they will seem fake and unnatural. Videos, images and characters should move in the same way that people expect them to in life to make them relatable. If innovation is integral, you should find a way to be creative with the message or content. Regarding the motion and navigation, everything should be similar to what you see in real life.
Hopefully, these expert tips will help you improve IA throughout the site. Have they been informative enough to make you want to change?
