Task

Avoid excessive motion behind text

Category: 
Animation
Where: 
Canvas
When: 
Design
Check as complete

Using motion behind static text creates a depth mismatch that can be triggering. Even subtle animations can be harmful when placed directly behind the text. What constitutes excessive motion can be subjective, but a good rule is to avoid motion that takes up more than 10% of the central visual field.

Best practices for designing with motion

Always prioritize minimizing harm when designing with motion.

Make sure animations don’t:

  • Prevent users from accessing page content
  • Take up more than 10% of the visual field

If you’re not sure if an animation is too much, here’s a helpful tip:

"For each animation or interaction you’re planning, ask yourself, “If this effect was stronger (much faster, or bouncier, or swoopier), would it be disorienting, or make me feel motion-sick?” If the answer is yes, then you can rest assured there are plenty of people in the world whose threshold is already low enough to be bothered."

— Eileen Webb, Your Interactive Makes Me Sick

Useful resources:

WCAG reference:

2.3.3: Animation from Interactions

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