Hey everyone! I'm quite new to web development and I've been curious about how folks plan and craft those impressive animated websites, like the ones showcased on landing.love. I'm comfortable designing static websites in Figma, but animations are a whole different ball game for me. I'm looking for guidance in several areas: What tools do you typically use to plan animations during the design phase? How do you transition from a rough concept to a solid plan before jumping into coding? Do you rely on Figma (with some plugins), After Effects, Framer, or other software? Also, what type of site builders (like WordPress or Webflow) or frameworks do big companies and smaller studios usually prefer? For me, it's all about learning and having fun, so I'd love to try building something like this on my own to get a better handle on it. Any tips or experiences would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!
6 Answers
When planning animated sites, storyboarding the animations first can be super helpful. Tools like Figma with plugins, After Effects, or Framer are popular choices. After that, you'd define the animation sequences and triggers, and then start coding. For construction, many small studios use Webflow for quick animations, while larger firms may opt for custom solutions with something like GSAP or Three.js. It's essential to begin with static designs, prototype those animations, and implement them step by step to keep things organized.
Just a heads up, the term 'static' usually refers to how the page is assembled—it's about whether it serves a static HTML file or reacts to user actions rather than whether it's animated or not. So keep that in mind when you're discussing design processes!
In terms of sketching, Figma or After Effects are reliable options. Then you can utilize Framer, Three.js, or GSAP in conjunction with React to bring your ideas to life. Just remember to take your time and experiment with different techniques!
I’m following this thread! It’s fascinating to see all the different opinions and approaches. Definitely eager to learn more about everyone's strategies!
Here’s my take on things: I tend to bypass Figma and head straight to coding since I'm more comfortable with CSS and HTML. I love using CSS for micro-animations like transitions, and I’ve had a lot of success with GSAP for more complex animations. Sketching ideas on paper helps me avoid getting bogged down in details. You can also check component libraries by inspecting their code for inspiration. And yeah, tools like Figma, After Effects, and even Framer can help visualize your designs, but don’t overlook coding if that’s where you're more comfortable!
To give you some pointers on planning animations, using tools like Figma for prototyping is a great start since you can make animated prototypes there. For a structured plan before coding, it really comes down to your experience with different flows for animated sites. As for tools, many people mix Figma and After Effects along with more advanced options like 3D software when needed. When building, React with libraries like GSAP or Three.js is common, but you might also find Webflow useful for quicker projects without much coding.
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