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Small Transitions (200-300ms)

At 200-300ms, users consciously perceive motion. This duration bridges micro-interactions and full animations - ideal for UI state changes.

Disney Principles at Small Duration

Works Well

Squash & Stretch: Visible but restrained - 10-15% for playful interfaces, 5% for professional.

Anticipation : Brief wind-up works - 40-60ms preparation enhances 200ms main action.

Staging : Clear hierarchy - primary element leads, secondary follows by 50-100ms.

Straight Ahead/Pose to Pose : Pose to pose preferred - keyframes create polished motion.

Follow Through : Noticeable overshoot - 5-10% past target adds life.

Slow In/Slow Out : Full easing curves - both ease-in-out and custom beziers shine.

Arcs : Natural curves enhance - elements can travel on arcs rather than straight lines.

Secondary Action : One or two secondary actions - fade + scale, move + rotate.

Timing : 12-18 frames at 60fps. Smooth, deliberate motion.

Exaggeration : Moderate to pronounced - depends on brand personality.

Solid Drawing : Full transform combinations - translate, scale, rotate together.

Appeal : Conscious animation that builds brand character.

Doesn't Work

• Feeling instant (too slow)
• Complex character animation
• Long travel distances
• Multiple sequential stages

Easing Recommendations

/* Standard smooth transition */
transition: all 250ms ease-out;

/* Modal/card appearance - confident arrival */
transition: all 250ms cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);

/* Bouncy personality */
transition: transform 280ms cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);

/* Professional, subtle */
transition: all 220ms cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);

Best Use Cases

• Modal dialogs appearing
• Card expand/collapse
• Navigation drawer slides
• Tab content transitions
• Filter panel toggles
• Image thumbnails expanding
• Alert/notification slides

Implementation Pattern

.modal {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(20px) scale(0.95);
  transition: opacity 200ms ease-out,
              transform 250ms cubic-bezier(0.16, 1, 0.3, 1);
}

.modal.open {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translateY(0) scale(1);
}

.card-expand {
  transition: all 280ms cubic-bezier(0.34, 1.56, 0.64, 1);
}

Key Insight

Small transitions are seen and understood. Users track the motion and their brain processes the spatial relationship. Use this to guide attention and communicate hierarchy.

Weekly Installs

47

Repository

dylantarre/anim…inciples

GitHub Stars

20

First Seen

Jan 24, 2026

Security Audits

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Installed on

codex39

gemini-cli36

cursor36

opencode36

github-copilot33

claude-code31