Figma Prototyping Animation Principles

Implement all 12 Disney animation principles using Figma's prototyping and Smart Animate features.

1. Squash and Stretch

1. Create two frames: normal and squashed states
2. Scale element: width: 120%, height: 80%
3. Connect with Smart Animate
4. Use "Ease In and Out" timing

Frame 1: Circle 100x100
Frame 2: Circle 120x80 (squashed)
Interaction: Smart Animate, 150ms

2. Anticipation

Create 3 frames:

1. Idle - Starting position
2. Anticipate - Wind-up (move opposite to action)
3. Action - Main movement

Connect: Idle → Anticipate (100ms) → Action (After Delay)

3. Staging

Techniques:

• Use lower opacity on background elements (60-80%)
• Apply blur effect to non-focus areas
• Scale up the hero element
• Use drop shadows for depth hierarchy

4. Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose

Pose to Pose in Figma:

1. Design key frames as separate screens
2. Connect with Smart Animate
3. Figma interpolates between states

Create: Pose A → Pose B → Pose C frames

5. Follow Through and Overlapping Action

1. Create component variants for each element
2. Stagger the state changes across frames
3. Hair/cloth changes 1-2 frames after body

Frame 1: Body at A, Hair at A
Frame 2: Body at B, Hair at A (delayed)
Frame 3: Body at B, Hair at B

6. Slow In and Slow Out

Figma easing options:

• Ease In - Starts slow, ends fast
• Ease Out - Starts fast, ends slow
• Ease In and Out - Slow at both ends (most natural)
• Custom Bezier - Fine-tune curve

Default recommendation: Ease Out for most UI interactions.

7. Arc

1. Create multiple frames along arc path
2. Position element at key points on the curve
3. Use 3+ frames for smooth arc
4. Smart Animate interpolates the path

Or use component rotation with transform origin offset.

8. Secondary Action

Layer interactions:

1. Primary: Button scales on tap
2. Secondary: Icon rotates, shadow expands

On Click:
  - Button → Scale 1.1, Smart Animate, 150ms
  - Icon → Rotate 15°, Smart Animate, 100ms (starts simultaneously)

9. Timing

10. Exaggeration

Push beyond subtle:

• Scale hover: 1.1x instead of 1.02x
• Rotation: 15° instead of 5°
• Movement: 20px instead of 8px
• Use "Spring" easing for overshoot effect

11. Solid Drawing

Create depth with:

• Consistent perspective across frames
• Shadow direction consistency
• Layered elements with proper z-order
• 3D transforms (rotation with perspective)

12. Appeal

Design principles:

• Rounded corners (friendly)
• Consistent spacing
• Smooth color transitions
• Satisfying interaction feedback
• Clear visual hierarchy

Smart Animate Setup

1. Name layers identically across frames
2. Use components for consistent naming
3. Match layer hierarchy for best results
4. Set transform origin before animating

Interaction Settings

Trigger: On Click / While Hovering / After Delay
Action: Navigate To / Smart Animate
Animation: Smart Animate
Easing: Ease Out
Duration: 200ms

Component Variants for States

Create variants:

• State=Default
• State=Hover
• State=Active
• State=Disabled

Use "Change To" interaction with Smart Animate between variants.

Pro Tips

1. Use "While Hovering" for reversible animations
2. After Delay chains create sequences
3. Overflow: Hidden on frames clips animations
4. Interactive Components for reusable micro-interactions
5. Preview with Present mode (Play button)