Trust & Reliability Animation

Create animations that establish confidence, consistency, and dependable user experiences.

Emotional Goal

Trust develops through predictable, controlled movements that respect user expectations. Reliability means animations behave consistently and never surprise negatively.

Disney Principles for Trust

Squash & Stretch

Minimal stretch (5-10% maximum). Controlled deformation shows stability. Elements should feel solid and grounded, not rubbery.

Anticipation

Subtle but present (50-100ms). Brief preparation signals what’s coming without surprises. Users should always know what to expect next.

Staging

Clear, unambiguous presentation. One action at a time. Important elements are obvious. No hidden or confusing movements.

Straight Ahead Action

Avoid for trust-building. Prefer pose-to-pose for predictable, controlled results. Every frame should be intentional.

Follow Through & Overlapping Action

Restrained follow-through. Elements settle quickly without excessive bouncing. Professional, controlled completion of movements.

Slow In & Slow Out

Smooth, symmetrical easing. ease-in-out creates predictable, professional motion. No sudden accelerations or jarring stops.

Arc

Gentle, predictable curves. Consistent arc patterns across similar interactions. Avoid erratic or unexpected paths.

Secondary Action

Minimal and purposeful. Supporting animations should reinforce, not distract. Loading indicators should be calm and steady.

Timing

Moderate, consistent timing (250-400ms). Never too fast (feels rushed) or too slow (feels broken). Same elements should always animate at same speed.

Exaggeration

Very minimal (5-10%). Near-realistic movements feel professional and trustworthy. Subtle refinement over dramatic effect.

Solid Drawing

Maintain perfect proportions. No warping or distortion. Elements should feel stable and well-constructed.

Appeal

Clean, balanced designs. Symmetry suggests stability. Professional aesthetics over playful charm.

Timing Recommendations

CSS Easing

--trust-smooth: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
--trust-enter: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1);
--trust-exit: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);

Consistency Rules

1. Same action = same animation, always
2. Duration variance: maximum ±50ms
3. No random or variable timing
4. Respect system motion preferences
5. Graceful degradation when disabled

When to Use

• Financial transactions and payments
• Form submissions and data entry
• Authentication flows
• Settings and configuration
• Progress indicators
• Confirmation dialogs
• Enterprise applications