attentiondotnet/open-design/emilkowalski-motion

Emil Kowalski Motion Follow-Up

Use this skill after a design artifact already exists. The goal is to make the interface feel alive without turning it into a motion demo.

Workflow

1. Inspect the current HTML, component, or selected page element before adding animation.
2. Pick the smallest set of motion moments that clarify state or hierarchy:

• entry reveal for the primary content
• hover / active feedback for important controls
• transition between UI states
• scroll reveal only when it helps the story

1. Prefer transform and opacity. Avoid animating layout properties such as top, left, width, or height.
2. Use one motion language across the artifact. Do not mix unrelated easings, durations, or physics.
3. Add prefers-reduced-motion fallbacks for any automatic or scroll-linked motion.
4. Keep copy, data, and layout intent intact unless the user explicitly asks for a redesign.

Motion Rules

• Default UI transitions should feel quick and useful: 140-220ms for most controls.
• Larger page reveals can be slower, but must not block reading.
• Avoid endless decorative loops unless they communicate status or progress.
• Do not add custom cursors, noisy particle effects, or motion that competes with content.
• Stagger only small groups. Long staggered lists make interfaces feel slow.

Implementation Notes

• For plain HTML, CSS keyframes and small JavaScript observers are enough.
• For React or framework code, use the local stack already present in the repo.
• If GSAP is available and the motion needs sequencing, pair this with gsap-core, gsap-timeline, or gsap-scrolltrigger.
• Always clean up observers, timers, and animation instances.