Animated Graphics = Sophisticated Website

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According to Adobe, “Animated graphics add an exciting, sophisticated look to your website.” Really? Animated graphics will make my site look sophisticated? They follow that genius statement up with, “For example, you can make your company mascot dance across a page while the logo fades in and out.” Now THAT, is sophisticated. Adobe link.

Animated graphics, don’t by default, make your site better or more sophisticated or whatever. They may just be bloat. That isn’t to say they can’t, but saying they do just seems so 1998. It doesn’t help that Adobe gives such a poor example.

When making animation/graphic decisions, here are some good rules to follow:

1. Does it matter? Does the graphic add meaning to the message? If not, then its just filler and you should move on.
2. Will it be good in five years? Ten? Sure, five or ten years in Internet years is forever, but when you make yourself think of how something will look down the road, you may realize that your dancing baby graphic holding a banjo is really just lame.
3. Is it cute or funny? If it is, it probably isn’t. Lame web graphics have been around for a while and no matter how great that hot dog doing the macarena may seem, it isn’t that great.
4. Is the animation/graphic good? I realize this is subjective (like most things in design) but pick a site that you think is really great and see if you think that graphic would ever show up on their site. If you don’t think it would, then it isn’t good.
5. Don’t use an animated graphic when a static one will do the job just fine. Repetitive animation is annoying. We knew it ten years ago, we just didn’t know that we knew it. Dump the fast looping GIF for subtle or static. Your audience’s eyes will thank you.

Feel free to add your own rules to the list. Like most rules, these are [probably] made to be broken. The trick is to know when and how to break them. Thats where you win the cash and prizes.


Posted on March 07, 2008 at 08:58 AM in News
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Comments:

Hate animated gifs or flash at websites.

Posted by microsoft dynamics nav on July 16, 2008 at 06:50 AM | #

Don’t use it, it make visitors nervous smile

Posted by microsoft navision on July 16, 2008 at 06:57 AM | #

I agree that the use of animation/flash in the site should be kept to the minimum.

Posted by Web Design Company USA on August 25, 2008 at 04:31 AM | #

Flash could be also an attractive link which someone might want to look upon, its a matter of artistic approach with a touch of SEO. Free Gift Box Template

Posted by Free Gift Box Template on September 11, 2008 at 07:47 AM | #

animated images just distract people and make the page look so cheap. Don’t like em’.

Posted by Motorcycle Fairings on September 12, 2008 at 08:05 AM | #

animated images or flash at websites should not use in website. It makes visitors unsatisfied.

Posted by Document Management Software on September 13, 2008 at 08:20 PM | #

i couldnt agree more. completely unnecessary animations are actually disastrous. I hate those kind of graphics. Another rule that can be added is, use common sense and think what will appeal to the people. dont just go with what you like.

Posted by graphic organiser on September 15, 2008 at 07:10 PM | #

You’re really thankful for this post

Posted by search engine optimization on September 18, 2008 at 06:50 PM | #

I agree. Using of animation/flash in the site is not a good idea.

Posted by teak furniture on September 21, 2008 at 07:11 AM | #

I agree with Microsoft Navision. I think it make visitors nervous smile

Posted by San Antonio Attorney on September 22, 2008 at 08:36 AM | #

Thanks for this post, my friend will be so exciting to check this. I really appreciate your work over here smile

Posted by Promotional Products on September 23, 2008 at 11:48 PM | #

Not all animated images are cheap, it depends on how you used it. but it really should be kept in the minimum.

Posted by mitch from garden furniture on September 24, 2008 at 04:47 AM | #

Definitely some very good points.  But you need to careful when choosing to go with animation…

Posted by Hosting on September 30, 2008 at 05:57 PM | #

cool stories, that what I’m looking for.
But animation could be really nervous if it in GIF, not in flash

Posted by flash button on October 04, 2008 at 06:12 AM | #

I don’t think animated images should not be used on a website. One should just be extra careful.

-M from Mexico

Posted by Cuatro Cienegas Coahuila on October 07, 2008 at 09:01 AM | #

I agree completely with graphic organiser, use common sense people and not just stuff that you “think” people will like.

Posted by seo company on October 07, 2008 at 03:01 PM | #

I hate those kind of graphics. Another rule that can be added is, use common sense and think what will appeal to the people. dont just go with what you like.
Regards,
Bed and Breakfast Website Design

Posted by Restaurant website design on October 08, 2008 at 07:35 PM | #

What I personally hate is when a virtual person start talking to you in the homepage and is hard to find the close button. lol.

Posted by ray ban 3310 on October 09, 2008 at 06:25 AM | #

That’s a really great read for me, thanks for the information you shared here buddy.
Ive been searching for established Websites For Sale for so long, could anybody help me.

Posted by websites sale on October 10, 2008 at 09:14 PM | #

VERY good missive - Flash sucks major donkey d*ck, and is the worst thing to hit the web since myspace. Pie in the sky webmasters who like to show off their bells & whistles: K.I.S.S.

Posted by MBA Colleges in India on October 18, 2008 at 07:52 AM | #

nice design site.
i appreciate the way it was designed.
I agree completely with graphic organiser, use common sense people and not just stuff that you “think” people will like.

regards,
Chastity devices

Posted by chastity devices on November 01, 2008 at 07:27 AM | #

I too agree that use of animated graphics should be limited in a website.Also the ideas & tips listed here are quite helpful.Thanks

Posted by Internship on November 04, 2008 at 04:22 AM | #

I don’t think animated images should not be used on a website. Why because we cant do seo for those sites..
and that site will take much time to open..
regards,

glycoscience

Posted by glycoscience on November 11, 2008 at 06:52 AM | #

Thank you so much for sharing such a good information. This is very first time i came across these type of information.

Posted by Hire Flash Designer on November 11, 2008 at 11:31 PM | #

I was looking for animated articles like this. Thanks a lot.

Posted by Telo Santos on November 12, 2008 at 11:12 PM | #

You can even create amazing effects with Background, Mask, Foreground, Transition, Light and In&out;effects (include wipe (11 types), scale, color change, fly, twist etc).

Posted by security systems on November 18, 2008 at 03:21 AM | #

I suppose animated graphics are only useful for certain sites. Personally I think they are cute, but then I love cartoons, but I would not use them for a site that is supposed to be of a serious nature.

Posted by Water Damage on November 23, 2008 at 05:31 AM | #

I don’t think animated images should not be used on a website. Why because we cant do seo for those sites..
and that site will take much time to open..
regards,
car hifi

Posted by car hifi on November 24, 2008 at 10:37 AM | #

I agree completely with graphic organiser, use common sense people and not just stuff that you “think” people will like.

Posted by Unlock Cell Phones on November 25, 2008 at 06:15 AM | #

animated images just distract people and make the page look so cheap. Don’t like em’.

Posted by Part Time MBA Guide on December 02, 2008 at 07:58 AM | #

You can even create amazing effects with Background, Mask, Foreground, Transition, Light and In&out;effects (include wipe (11 types), scale, color change, fly, twist etc).
really thanks for sharing..
regards,
turbo kits

Posted by turbo kits on December 04, 2008 at 08:40 AM | #

Dancing mascots - thats so 1998! I wouldn’t dream of using that on a site I design now. Flash yes but that no no no.

Good Blog keep up the good work!

Posted by web design london on December 05, 2008 at 04:36 AM | #

I wouldn’t dream of having something like that on my website now - it would look so naff LOL

Posted by voip on December 05, 2008 at 04:38 AM | #

This is really awesome design..really thanks a lot for sharing such an great design..
we appreciate you..
regards,
Modern Lighting

Posted by Modern Lighting on December 07, 2008 at 11:46 AM | #

Thanks for this. I got the link from a comment you left at another site and found it to be a great compilation of the story thus far. Here’s praying for the integrity of the trade… Publish Your Work Online

Posted by Effective Article Marketing on December 09, 2008 at 09:23 AM | #

hi guys, can you tell me where do i learn expressionengine from a-z? thanks!

Posted by Busby SEO Test on December 10, 2008 at 09:06 AM | #

Great site, love the flash integration. a little bit of animation goes a long way! Had a good inspiration
on reading your blog.
http://www.theclickdepot.com

Posted by jessica on December 10, 2008 at 09:30 AM | #

this kind of graphics were really cool as long as it didn’t disturb your incoming visitors, :D - promotional items corporate gifts srednarb

Posted by Jayr on December 14, 2008 at 07:04 PM | #

Great work! I was looking for animated articles like this. Thanks for sharing with us.

Posted by Buy Botox on December 17, 2008 at 06:30 AM | #

You can even create amazing effects with Background, Mask, Foreground, Transition, Light and In&out;effects (include wipe (11 types), scale, color change, fly, twist etc).
regards,
Radiohalterung

Posted by Radiohalterung on December 17, 2008 at 07:19 AM | #

Now a days Animated Graphics is most popular . Everybody using it on their website. AG looks good but it increase time to open the site page.

Posted by Installgroup Home Improvemrnt on December 18, 2008 at 03:26 AM | #

Great Post.  Does anyone know if there is a legal way I can display this content on my own website- thanks.

Posted by Avandia Lawyer on December 18, 2008 at 05:15 AM | #

it’s worth to try, thanks!

Posted by Belajar SEO on December 19, 2008 at 01:09 AM | #

i’m so impressed with EE after seeing this blog, sadly the price is too high for me :(

Posted by GlipMax Blog on December 20, 2008 at 09:04 AM | #

I remember arguing with my friend about this yesterday! Didn’t imagine that I will run into this article smile . Wait till I forward this URL to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing! affiliate marketing blog

Posted by affiliate marketing guide on December 21, 2008 at 01:50 AM | #

Now a days Animated Graphics is most popular . Everybody using it on their website. AG looks good but it increase time to open the site page. .
regards,
Verstärker

Posted by Verstärker on December 23, 2008 at 12:20 PM | #

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