Design Tokens for Motion and Animation

Introduction

Design tokens are a way to maintain consistency in design across different platforms by defining a set of reusable variables. In this lesson, we will explore how to create and implement design tokens specifically for motion and animation.

What Are Design Tokens?

Design tokens are named entities that store visual design attributes. They represent values for things like colors, spacing, typography, and in our case, motion. These tokens help bridge the gap between design and development.

Key Takeaways

• Design tokens serve as the foundation for consistent design.
• They can be used across multiple platforms and technologies.
• Motion tokens enhance user experience through consistent animation.

Motion Tokens

Motion tokens are specific design tokens that define how elements move within the user interface. This includes duration, easing, delay, and other properties that contribute to animation.

Common Motion Properties

• Duration: The time an animation takes to complete.
• Easing: The rate of change of a parameter over time.
• Delay: The time before the animation starts.
• Scale: The size change during an animation.

Creating Motion Tokens

Follow these steps to create motion tokens for your design system:

            graph TD;
                A[Define Motion Tokens] --> B[Identify Properties];
                B --> C[Create Token Structure];
                C --> D[Implement Tokens in Code];
                D --> E[Test and Iterate;
            

Example: Defining Motion Tokens

const motionTokens = {
    duration: {
        fast: '150ms',
        normal: '300ms',
        slow: '500ms'
    },
    easing: {
        easeIn: 'cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)',
        easeOut: 'cubic-bezier(0.0, 0, 0.2, 1)',
        easeInOut: 'cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)',
    },
    delay: {
        short: '50ms',
        normal: '100ms',
        long: '200ms'
    }
};
        

Best Practices

When working with motion tokens, consider the following best practices:

1. Keep tokens semantic: Use meaningful names for motion tokens.
2. Use a consistent scale: Ensure that duration and delay values are coherent.
3. Test animations: Make sure animations enhance the user experience, not hinder it.
4. Document your tokens: Maintain clear documentation for future reference.

FAQ