Authors

Kolesnikov Nikita S., Belko Tatiana V.
Evolution of animation in user interface design: from decoration to functional communication

Architecton: Proceedings of Higher Education №2 (94) June, 2026

The article analyzes retrospectively and systematizes the stages of animation evolution in digital user interfaces. Unlike works focusing exclusively on web design, this study examines the evolution of animation in the broader context of human-computer interaction (HCI), including desktop GUIs, web interfaces, and mobile platforms. The relevance of the study is due to the transformation of the role of animation from a purely aesthetic element to a key tool for functional communication, attention management, and user experience formation. The aim of the work is to identify patterns and paradigmatic shifts in the use of animation in interface design based on analysis of scientific works and professional practice. The methodology includes historical-genetic analysis, comparative analysis of approaches in different periods of HCI development, and generalization of data from dissertation research and modern scientific publications. Four key stages of evolution are identified: emergence of micro-animation and GUI metaphors (1980s – mid-1990s), the era of "dynamic web" and Flash (late 1990s – late 2000s), functionalization and standardization (2010s), and the modern stage of communicative and predictive animation (2020s). Based on the analysis, promising vectors of development are formulated, including the integration of animation with predictive interfaces and further democratization of creation tools through no-code platforms.