Cognitive Load and Continuity
Sudden changes in UI (like a modal popping up instantly) increase cognitive load. The brain has to re-orient itself. Motion bridges these gaps. A modal that slides in from a button press tells the user 'this new context came from here.'
By maintaining object permanence through animation, we make interfaces feel intuitive and physical, reducing the mental effort required to navigate them.
Guiding the Eye
You can't force a user to read your headline, but you can invite them. A subtle entrance animation for your hero text or a pulsing CTA button acts as a visual cue. It says 'look here next.'
Data shows that pages with micro-interactions on key conversion elements see a 15-20% uplift in engagement compared to static counterparts.
Key takeaway
Motion isn't just decoration; it's communication. Use it to tell a story and guide your users to the finish line.