Motion design and interactive web design have grown in popularity over the last year. To create a truly unique user experience, more and more websites are incorporating various types of animations, videos, and 3D objects. Browser performance has improved as well, and web technologies have advanced significantly. This, combined with the long-awaited arrival of 5G internet, enables website owners to keep up with current trends while preserving load speed. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to use interactive and animated elements to make your website stand out. We’ll also show you some examples of digital products that already make good use of such elements.
Hover states
Hover states, also known as hover effects, are some of the most commonly used CSS animations on the web today. You’ve probably seen them as well. Remember when you put your pointer over something and it changed or moved despite the fact that you didn’t click or drag anything? In interactive web design, that is a hover interaction animation. It serves a variety of functions. E-commerce stores, for example, frequently use hover effects to show what an item looks like in different colours or from different angles.
There are additional reasons why businesses create digital products with this type of web design animation. It can sometimes assist users in determining which actions will get them from point A to point B.
Alternatively, you can use hover states solely to entertain and engage your users.
Parallax scrolling effect
Another interactive web design trend that can help you deliver an exceptional user experience is the parallax effect, also known as parallax scrolling. Simply put, it is an effect that causes the background image or content of web pages to move at different speeds while scrolling. When used in conjunction with a full-screen interface effect, parallax scrolling creates a sense of space and depth. It not only helps to make a website more memorable, but it also helps to draw users’ attention to specific sections or content.
Loader screen
Because internet speeds are increasing, website visitors can no longer tolerate slow loading times. However, in some cases, delays are simply unavoidable (like heavy traffic or a large amount of data that needs to be processed). Fortunately, interactive web design can assist you in this endeavour. Loading animations for experience optimization will allow you to keep more people on a page. Users are also more likely to be patient as the content loads.
Animated and video backgrounds
The dynamic layouts may also benefit your interactive web design. When you animate elements, you usually create a much more immersive experience than with static backgrounds. It visually captivates users in the same way that watching a movie or playing a video game does. Furthermore, dynamic backgrounds can help you quickly show what your company is about and convey key messages. To add motion to the website background, you can use animations or videos.
Animated 3D elements
The incorporation of three-dimensional, real-life objects into web design is a growing trend that is unlikely to abate anytime soon. Adding 3D web design elements to your UX design system is no longer a question. New technologies, such as webGL, enable website owners to include 3D objects in their web interfaces while also effectively combining them with animations. The outcomes can be breathtaking. To see the true power of animated 3D in interactive web design, watch the video below.
Image galleries
An interactive image gallery can be used to display multiple images on one screen. Selected photos will be changed automatically or when the user clicks a button. Simultaneously, animating effects will improve the user experience. Another advantage of using interactive image galleries is that you can save space and avoid “cluttering” the page with photos. If you’re not sure whether this type of animation is appropriate for your website, you can conduct a design audit first.
Kinetic typography
Different typographic experiments have become one of the most vibrant UI/UX design trends in the last 2-3 years. Designers not only experiment with fonts, text directions, and proportions, but they also make the letters move. Because moving type offers nearly limitless creative possibilities, it can be seamlessly incorporated into most styles. Whether you’re creating an interactive web design for a FinTech company or a digital agency, kinetic typography will almost certainly help.
Particle animations
The digital industry became obsessed with minimalism a few years ago. On the one hand, website owners desired to incorporate motion into their products. On the other hand, they didn’t want to clog up landing pages with distracting moving elements. Designers’ response to this request was particle animations. They make a difference, distinguishing the website from the competition and greatly enriching the user experience.
This type of web animation is frequently seen on homepages. Depending on your needs and goals, you can use particle animations that are interactive (movements that are triggered by user actions) or non-interactive (movements that are not connected to user actions) on your website.
Animated navigation menu
Animated navigation is one of the most basic methods for creating an interactive web design. It has two functions: it helps designers liven up a page and it helps visitors navigate a website. It also makes web solutions more “compact.” Users can access a menu without even scrolling in some cases. Although animated navigation is unlikely to impress people, you can still be inventive. For example, instead of a hamburger icon, which is considered a traditional navigational element, you can use a slider.
Creative combinations
You can combine different types of animations if you want to take a more comprehensive approach than simply adding motion to a website. For example, you could make every user action be followed by an animated effect, such as a hover state or micro-movements of illustrations. This will improve the usability and aesthetics of a website’s interface.
Animations can also be used to tell your brand’s story or to supplement your messaging, especially when combined with other audio-visual effects/text. Beyond Beauty is an excellent example. When users visit the website, a song begins to play. When you scroll down the page, the images and text move and change. Users can listen to a story and read the transcript by clicking an image.
Keep your business relevant with interactive web design
Whether your company is a small local shop or a large corporation, most customers will judge it based on its online presence. Creating a delightful user experience is not something that can be done once and for all. Website owners must always stay current with design trends in order to demonstrate to customers that their businesses are modern, dependable, and relevant. Implementing motion design and interactive web design is an excellent way to improve digital product usability, make it more memorable, and increase engagement.