Easing and Timing for Perceived Performance

The secret to truly smooth animation lies in carefully calibrated easing curves, not linear motion. We discuss why using cubic Béziers for 'ease-in-out' creates a more natural, satisfying effect, mimicking real-world physics and feeling organic to the user. Proper timing is also essential for maintaining responsiveness; animations should generally be short (ideally under 400ms) to ensure they clarify action without creating unnecessary wait times or delays.

Animations must serve a functional purpose: to reduce cognitive load during state changes. When an element moves, the transition should clearly indicate the 'from' and 'to' state, preventing the user from feeling lost. This focus on functional motion ensures that the animation enhances usability by providing context, rather than simply being a distracting visual flourish on the screen.