12-principles-of-animation

Disney animators codified these principles in the 1930s to make drawings feel real. We use them to make pixels feel human. The problems are surprisingly similar.

| 1 | Squash and Stretch | Convey weight and elasticity in morphing elements | | 2 | Anticipation | Prepare users for what comes next (wind-up before action) | | 3 | Staging | Direct attention through sequential animation | | 4 | Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose | Define keyframes, let browser interpolate |

| 5 | Follow Through & Overlapping | Use springs for organic overshoot-and-settle | | 6 | Slow In & Slow Out | Apply easing curves for natural acceleration | | 7 | Arcs | Add curved paths for organic movement | | 8 | Secondary Action | Reinforce primary actions with subtle flourishes | | 9 | Timing | Keep interactions under 300ms, be consistent |