The Paper Prototype Rule

Top designers, including Zhenya Rynzhuk, Louis Paquet, and Maria de la Paz Vargas, along with the talented MediaMonks team, have influenced my approach to animation. Many projects demand bespoke animations, pushing CSS and JavaScript boundaries. However, resource-constrained projects often require developers to lead UI animation design and UX considerations. A simple trick helps gauge animation effectiveness: the Paper Prototype Rule.

Breaking Free from Print Mentality

Web design often inherits principles from print design. Interactive elements like accordions and tabs are digital versions of physical information storage. While the industry has embraced digital-first approaches, a print mentality persists. Developers might default to animations mimicking the movement of paper, limiting creativity.

Introducing the Paper Prototype Rule

My years of experience have shaped my animation guidelines, which I now share with my team. The Paper Prototype Rule is key:

If a paper prototype can recreate the animation, it likely needs improvement.

The aim isn't to overcomplicate, but to leverage digital advantages beyond print limitations. The rule is simple: Can the animation be replicated with paper? If yes, there's room for enhancement. If no, the animation is likely more innovative.

Applying the Paper Prototype Rule

Paper prototyping is valuable for user testing, but its simplicity helps identify overly simplistic interactions. Consider website navigation: A design might specify active and inactive states. This is easily replicated with paper (one piece on top of another). We can do better.

Without transition specifications, a simple transform property significantly improves the experience. Sliding the active menu state provides clarity and context, showing it as an overlay. While functional, can this be done with paper? Yes. More improvement is needed.

We can use digital techniques – fading, masking, parallax, staggering, or independent animation of menu parts – to create a uniquely digital experience. Let's enhance the simple slide with these techniques:

The result moves beyond the paper mentality. Paper can slide, but not fade with offset animation. Further refinements are possible, depending on the project. The goal is to break free from print limitations and embrace digital possibilities.

Integrating the Paper Prototype Rule into your workflow encourages continuous improvement. Study animation principles and seek inspiration from other websites. When working on carousels, modals, or interactive elements, ask: Does it pass the Paper Prototype Test?

Header image by J.J. Ying via Unsplash.

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