The state of graphical user interfaces (GUI) came a long way. On consumer-oriented, display-based devices, like a smartphone or a laptop, a GUI is critically responsible for a system’s usability – the determing factor if it is user-friendly.

​

Often overlooked as another adding factor to aesthetics or branding, animation as part of a GUI is often underrated and not mentioned in the context of usability. Even though rules for motion and animation are deeply implemented into the guidelines for design by software companies like Microsoft, Google, Apple and IBM, many firms still avoid the integration of a proper animation system into their products.

​

But how bad can it really be to leave it out? Does it really affect the usability of a product? And how memorable is it? Is it possible to recognize a certain system just with the use of animation? Can it be iconic, like typography?

​

This work tried to tackle these questions with a series of three tests: Interact, Observe, Recognize. It was executed with N = 16 individuals, each of which were professionals or students in the field of UX design or interested in it. 
​
See the full project on Behance.