Presentation Animation
Apply Disney's 12 animation principles to Keynote, PowerPoint, Google Slides, and presentation software.
Quick Reference
| Principle | Presentation Implementation |
|---|---|
| Squash & Stretch | Bounce emphasis, elastic scaling |
| Anticipation | Build sequences, pre-reveal fades |
| Staging | Focal point management, dimming |
| Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose | Morph vs discrete transitions |
| Follow Through / Overlapping | Staggered builds, delayed elements |
| Slow In / Slow Out | Ease animations, avoid linear |
| Arc | Motion paths, curved entrances |
| Secondary Action | Supporting graphics follow primary |
| Timing | Builds 0.3-0.5s, transitions 0.5-0.8s |
| Exaggeration | Emphasis effects, attention draws |
| Solid Drawing | Consistent alignment, visual balance |
| Appeal | Professional polish, purposeful motion |
Principle Applications
Squash & Stretch: Use bounce effect sparingly for playful emphasis. Scale animations should feel elastic not mechanical. Key numbers can "pop" with slight overshoot.
Anticipation: Fade out previous content before new appears. Slight pause after slide transition before builds begin. Dim existing elements before highlighting new ones.
Staging: One focal point per moment. Dim completed content to 30-50% opacity. Use motion to direct eye path. Build complex diagrams piece by piece.
Straight Ahead vs Pose to Pose: Morph transitions (Keynote Magic Move, PowerPoint Morph) create fluid straight-ahead motion. Standard builds are pose to pose. Use morph for transformation stories.
Follow Through & Overlapping: Build related items with 0.1-0.2s delays. Supporting text follows primary graphic. Bullet points stagger naturally. Don't animate everything simultaneously.
Slow In / Slow Out: Always use ease-in-out or ease-out. Never linear—looks robotic. Keynote: "Ease In & Out". PowerPoint: use custom motion paths with curve handles.
Arc: Motion paths should curve naturally. Elements entering from sides arc inward. Exit animations arc toward edges. Straight lines feel mechanical.
Secondary Action: Icons animate alongside text reveals. Arrows appear as relationships are explained. Background subtle shifts support primary content.
Timing: Text builds: 0.3-0.5s. Graphic reveals: 0.4-0.6s. Slide transitions: 0.5-0.8s. Complex sequences: 0.2-0.3s between elements. Match pacing to speaking rhythm.
Exaggeration: Use scale emphasis for key points. Pulse effect for critical numbers. Shake for contrast/disagreement. Reserve exaggeration for truly important moments.
Solid Drawing: Maintain grid alignment during motion. Consistent transform origins. Elements should feel anchored to the slide structure.
Appeal: Purposeful animation builds credibility. Excessive motion distracts and annoys. Every animation should serve communication.
Software Patterns
Keynote
Best builds: Dissolve, Move In, Scale
Magic Move: Most powerful transition—objects morph between slides
Timing: Use "Build Order" panel for precise sequencing
Tip: Group objects that should animate togetherPowerPoint
Best entrances: Fade, Fly In (with custom path)
Morph transition: Objects with same name transform
Timing: Animation Pane for sequencing
Tip: Use "With Previous" + delay for staggerGoogle Slides
Limited but functional: Fade, Fly in
No morphing: Use Fade for cleanest transitions
Timing: Less control—keep animations simple
Tip: Fewer, better animations beat many poor onesBuild Sequences
| Content Type | Animation | Duration | Delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title | Fade + Scale | 0.5s | 0s |
| Subtitle | Fade | 0.4s | 0.2s |
| Bullet 1 | Fade + Move | 0.3s | 0.3s |
| Bullet 2+ | Fade + Move | 0.3s | +0.15s each |
| Image | Scale from center | 0.5s | varies |
| Chart | Custom/Wipe | 0.6s | varies |
Presenter Tips
- Animate on click, not automatically—control your pacing
- Practice with animations—know what comes next
- Less is more—animation should clarify, not decorate
- Test on presentation display—timing feels different at scale
- Have a backup with no animations for technical issues