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Loading Animations Introduction

· 2 min read

In the introduction, I explain the idea of the project.


Loading Animations is a series of twelve minimalist loading animations, using circles as the primary graphic element. For each month of the year, an animation is created with a number of circles corresponding to the month's order, i.e. the January animation has one circle, February has two circles, and so on.


Design guidelines

  • Size: Circles must have a diameter of 16 pixels.
  • Color: Circles are black on a white background.
  • Opacity: Always 100%.
  • Quantity: The number of circles must remain the same from start to finish.
  • Distortion: Circles may deform slightly to express effects like speed or impact.
  • Overlap: Circles should never overlap at any point.
  • Motion: Circles must remain in constant motion to convey dynamism.
  • Motion Speed: Speeds can be fixed or vary throughout the animation.
  • Trajectory: Circles may follow linear, curved, or complex trajectories (e.g., spirals).
  • Cycle Time: Animations should have a continuous loop or a clearly defined start and end.

Behavior patterns

  • Collide: Circles can interact by colliding and altering their movements.
  • Bounce: A circle rebounds after hitting a surface.
  • Loop: A circle repeatedly follows a circular or elliptical path.
  • Jump: A circle projects upward, mimicking a jump.
  • Fall: A circle descends in a straight path under the influence of gravity.
  • Push: A circle applies force to move or displace another circle.
  • Swing: A circle moves back and forth in an arc, as if suspended.
  • Slide: A circle moves smoothly and steadily, with little resistance.
  • Ricochet: A circle rebounds off multiple surfaces in quick succession.
  • Orbit: A circle continuously moves around another circle in a circular or elliptical path.
  • Stick: A circle temporarily adheres to a surface before detaching.
  • Compress: A circle temporarily deforms under pressure and returns to its original shape.
  • Dodge: A circle avoids collisions by changing direction at the last moment.
  • Float: A circle remains suspended in place with small, subtle movements.

These guidelines help maintain a cohesive aesthetic across all animations.