Continuing on from our last article on interactive web design ideas and suggestions, this time we are going to look at animated scrolling and sliders and carousels.
2. Organize Info with Animated Scrolling
One of the simplest methods of navigating a web page is scrolling. This easy, intuitive method of interacting with the site is often overlooked by web designers. In reality, there are numerous ways a designer can grant a deeper sense of dynamic movement throughout the entire website and online experience.
Three of the most common types of scrolling design techniques are Scroll-triggered animations, Scrolling page transitions, and Parallax scrolling. Each has its individual pros and cons and grant benefits based on what level of interaction the designer is looking to elicit from the reader.
Scroll-Triggered Animations
One of the more popular scrolling techniques available is trigger-specific animation.
This interactive option of scrolling creates an illusion that the page is being created in real-time as the user continues to interact and engage with it.
Scrolling Page Transitions
Another option includes full-on transitions for the entire page. In these situations, rather than a smooth continuous scrolling progression, the page will instead make massive wholesale jumps.
These transitions are somewhat reminiscent of a slideshow presentation in terms of their sharp changes. Designers can use this method to enliven their website and make it feel brand new with every scroll.
Parallax Scrolling
Also known as “asymmetrical scrolling”, Parallax scrolling is a simple scrolling technique that is gaining a bit of traction by many designers.
This method involves multiple on-screen items moving at different speeds as the user navigates the web page.
By doing this, a sort of 3D depth of movement can occur between the foreground information and any background objects.
3. Use Sliders & Carousels to break up Vertical Movement
Another popular inclusion for increasing interactions for your web design is both sliders and carousels.
These options of a web page change an otherwise difficult-to-digest website into something much more manageable.
How is this done?
By breaking down and condensing the information to a single area with a slider (also known as a carousel), the person can much more easily take in the information at their own pace.
By changing the information delivery from vertical to horizontal, users are allowed to take their time when taking in a piece of knowledge and information, granting themselves full control on when to “move on” and when to stay on a single page.
This is something vertical pages simply do not offer. By allowing the information (as long as it’s in the same general category as one another) to be freely read, without a sense of “forced progression” (a slight compulsion to keep reading to get to the end) users are much more likely to stay on a site and engage with it.
