Animation: From Cartoons to the User Interface
Bay-Wei Chang
and
David Ungar
Abstract:
User interfaces are often based on static presentations, a
model ill suited for conveying change. Consequently, events
on the screen frequently startle and confuse users. Cartoon
animation, in contrast, is exceedingly successful at engaging
its audience; even the most bizarre events are easily
comprehended. The Self user interface has served as a
testbed for the application of cartoon animation techniques
as a means of making the interface easier to understand and
more pleasant to use. Attention to timing and transient detail
allows Self objects to move solidly. Use of cartoon-style
motion blur allows Self objects to move quickly and still
maintain their comprehensibility. Self objects arrive and
depart smoothly, without sudden materializations and
disappearances, and they rise to the front of overlapping
objects smoothly through the use of dissolve. Anticipating
motion with a small contrary motion and pacing the middle
of transitions faster than the endpoints results in smoother
and clearer movements. Despite the differences between
user interfaces and cartoons--cartoons are frivolous,
passive entertainment and user interfaces are serious,
interactive tools--cartoon animation has much to lend to
user interfaces to realize both affective and cognitive
benefits.
User Interface Software and Technology '93 Conference Proceedings,
Atlanta, November, 1993, pp. 43-55.
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