Apply all 12 Disney animation principles regardless of your tool or framework.
1. Squash and Stretch
Concept: Objects deform when moving, maintaining volume.
Implementation:
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When compressing one axis, expand the other
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scaleX * scaleY ≈ constant -
Apply on impact, acceleration, or deceleration
Values: Compress to 80%, expand to 120%
2. Anticipation
Concept: Prepare the audience for an action.
Implementation:
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Move opposite to the main action first
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~20% of total duration for wind-up
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Smaller anticipation for faster actions
Pattern: Wind-up → Action → Settle
3. Staging
Concept: Direct viewer attention to what matters.
Implementation:
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Blur or fade background elements
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Scale up the focal point
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Use contrast (color, size, motion)
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One clear action at a time
4. Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose
Straight Ahead: Animate frame-by-frame sequentially. Good for fluid, organic motion.
Pose to Pose: Define key poses, then fill in between. Good for precise, planned motion.
Recommendation: Use pose-to-pose for UI, straight ahead for particles/effects.
5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action
Concept: Different parts move at different rates.
Implementation:
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Offset timing of child elements
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Add 2-5 frame delay for secondary elements
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Lighter/looser parts drag behind
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Use easing with different curves per element
6. Slow In and Slow Out
Concept: Natural motion accelerates and decelerates.
Implementation:
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Use ease-in-out for most movements
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Ease-out for entrances (arrives gently)
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Ease-in for exits (leaves naturally)
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Linear only for mechanical motion
Common curve: cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 0.58, 1)
7. Arc
Concept: Natural movement follows curved paths.
Implementation:
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Avoid straight-line motion for organic elements
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Use motion paths or multi-point keyframes
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Parabolic arcs for thrown objects
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Pendulum arcs for swings
8. Secondary Action
Concept: Supporting actions reinforce the main action.
Implementation:
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Add subtle movements that complement primary
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Examples: hair bounce, shadow movement, particle effects
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Should not distract from main action
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Slightly delayed from primary
9. Timing
Concept: Speed conveys weight, mood, and character.
| 50-150ms | Snappy | Micro-interactions
| 150-300ms | Responsive | Button feedback
| 300-500ms | Smooth | Page transitions
| 500-800ms | Deliberate | Modal reveals
| 1000ms+ | Dramatic | Hero animations
10. Exaggeration
Concept: Push beyond realistic to enhance clarity.
Implementation:
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Scale movements 20-50% beyond subtle
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Overshoot then settle
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More exaggeration = more cartoony
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UI: subtle exaggeration (5-15% overshoot)
11. Solid Drawing
Concept: Maintain volume and weight in 3D space.
Implementation:
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Consider all three dimensions
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Maintain consistent perspective
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Preserve volume during transformations
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Use shadows to ground elements
12. Appeal
Concept: Make it pleasing and engaging.
Implementation:
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Smooth curves over sharp angles
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Consistent timing patterns
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Clear visual feedback
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Satisfying interaction responses
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Balance between predictable and delightful
Universal Timing Reference
Micro-interaction: 100-200ms
Standard feedback: 200-300ms
Content transition: 300-400ms
Page transition: 400-600ms
Universal Easing Reference
Enter screen: ease-out (decelerate)
Leave screen: ease-in (accelerate)
On-screen movement: ease-in-out
Bounce/overshoot: spring physics or elastic
Checklist
Before shipping animation:
Does it have easing (not linear)? Is timing appropriate for the action? Does it follow arcs where natural? Is there anticipation for significant actions? Do secondary elements have slight delays? Is the focal point clear? Does it feel satisfying?