Presentation Animation

Apply Disney's 12 animation principles to Keynote, PowerPoint, Google Slides, and presentation software.

Quick Reference

Principle Presentation Implementation

Squash & Stretch Bounce emphasis, elastic scaling

Anticipation Build sequences, pre-reveal fades

Staging Focal point management, dimming

Straight Ahead / Pose to Pose Morph vs discrete transitions

Follow Through / Overlapping Staggered builds, delayed elements

Slow In / Slow Out Ease animations, avoid linear

Arc Motion paths, curved entrances

Secondary Action Supporting graphics follow primary

Timing Builds 0.3-0.5s, transitions 0.5-0.8s

Exaggeration Emphasis effects, attention draws

Solid Drawing Consistent alignment, visual balance

Appeal Professional polish, purposeful motion

Principle Applications

Squash & Stretch: Use bounce effect sparingly for playful emphasis. Scale animations should feel elastic not mechanical. Key numbers can "pop" with slight overshoot.

Anticipation: Fade out previous content before new appears. Slight pause after slide transition before builds begin. Dim existing elements before highlighting new ones.

Staging: One focal point per moment. Dim completed content to 30-50% opacity. Use motion to direct eye path. Build complex diagrams piece by piece.

Straight Ahead vs Pose to Pose: Morph transitions (Keynote Magic Move, PowerPoint Morph) create fluid straight-ahead motion. Standard builds are pose to pose. Use morph for transformation stories.

Follow Through & Overlapping: Build related items with 0.1-0.2s delays. Supporting text follows primary graphic. Bullet points stagger naturally. Don't animate everything simultaneously.

Slow In / Slow Out: Always use ease-in-out or ease-out. Never linear—looks robotic. Keynote: "Ease In & Out". PowerPoint: use custom motion paths with curve handles.

Arc: Motion paths should curve naturally. Elements entering from sides arc inward. Exit animations arc toward edges. Straight lines feel mechanical.

Secondary Action: Icons animate alongside text reveals. Arrows appear as relationships are explained. Background subtle shifts support primary content.

Timing: Text builds: 0.3-0.5s. Graphic reveals: 0.4-0.6s. Slide transitions: 0.5-0.8s. Complex sequences: 0.2-0.3s between elements. Match pacing to speaking rhythm.

Exaggeration: Use scale emphasis for key points. Pulse effect for critical numbers. Shake for contrast/disagreement. Reserve exaggeration for truly important moments.

Solid Drawing: Maintain grid alignment during motion. Consistent transform origins. Elements should feel anchored to the slide structure.

Appeal: Purposeful animation builds credibility. Excessive motion distracts and annoys. Every animation should serve communication.

Software Patterns

Keynote

Best builds: Dissolve, Move In, Scale Magic Move: Most powerful transition—objects morph between slides Timing: Use "Build Order" panel for precise sequencing Tip: Group objects that should animate together

PowerPoint

Best entrances: Fade, Fly In (with custom path) Morph transition: Objects with same name transform Timing: Animation Pane for sequencing Tip: Use "With Previous" + delay for stagger

Google Slides

Limited but functional: Fade, Fly in No morphing: Use Fade for cleanest transitions Timing: Less control—keep animations simple Tip: Fewer, better animations beat many poor ones

Build Sequences

Content Type Animation Duration Delay

Title Fade + Scale 0.5s 0s

Subtitle Fade 0.4s 0.2s

Bullet 1 Fade + Move 0.3s 0.3s

Bullet 2+ Fade + Move 0.3s +0.15s each

Image Scale from center 0.5s varies

Chart Custom/Wipe 0.6s varies

Presenter Tips

• Animate on click, not automatically—control your pacing

• Practice with animations—know what comes next

• Less is more—animation should clarify, not decorate

• Test on presentation display—timing feels different at scale

• Have a backup with no animations for technical issues