Stop Animating Everything

What Accessibility-First Motion Looks Like

Let me be clear: I’m not anti-animation. I am anti-distraction and anti-inaccessibility.

As a designer, I want what I build to work for the client and look cool as hell. But as a person with ADHD, and someone close to folks with sensory and neurodivergent needs, I also want it to be awesome for everyone, everywhere.

So what does motion design look like when accessibility is baked in, not slapped on?

It’s all about microinteractions and purposeful movement that adds clarity, not chaos.

And before you say, “Wtf is a microinteraction? And isn’t ‘intentional movement’ what my yoga teacher keeps yelling about?” (I mean, yes, she probably wants that in Warrior II.) But here’s what I mean for websites:

• A subtle hover effect that makes it clear, “Hey, this is a button! Click me.”

• Smooth, simple transitions when something appears (like a form error or dropdown menu) so it doesn’t feel jarring.

• Respecting users who’ve said “please, no motion” in their browser settings.

• Visual motion that supports your content, not competes with it.

These are functional animations, not just flashy ones. They guide people. Build trust. Support accessibility. And yes, they still look damn good doing it.

SEO Bonus: Accessibility-Friendly Websites Rank Higher

Here’s a nice little secret most folks don’t talk about: accessible websites don’t just help more users. They actually perform better in search rankings.

Google now uses something called Core Web Vitals to help determine where your site lands in search results. These vitals measure how fast your site loads, how stable it feels while scrolling, and how quickly users can interact with it. So, if your homepage has a loading spinner that spins for 7 seconds and half the elements jitter into place like a caffeine-addicted magician? Yeah… that’s tanking your score.

Too many animations wreck exactly the metrics Google cares about.

But it’s not just about performance stats:

• Accessible sites keep people on the page longer. That means lower bounce rates.

• When the layout and flow actually make sense, users stick around, click around, and convert.

• People with disabilities or sensory needs can actually use your site, opening your business up to an audience your competitors might be ignoring.

So no, accessibility isn’t just some feel-good checkbox. It’s how you get found, get trusted, and get paid.

Toning down the unnecessary flair? It’s not about being boring (see: Jennifer Anison in Office Space). It’s about building a site that actually works—for humans and search engines.

TL;DR: Less Motion, More Meaning

Okay, bottom line: If your website looks like it’s trying to win an Oscar for Best Special Effects, it’s probably doing too much. And you might be losing customers without even realizing it.

Accessibility in 2025 means:

• Motion that enhances, not distracts

• Respecting user settings

• Prioritizing clarity and performance

• Building trust with everyone

Achieving all those? Your business goals will thank you for it.

Want a brand and website that people can actually use and get excited about? Let’s create something that works for more people and benefits you.

Arc & Atlas is a Philadelphia-based creative agency and design studio, specializing in branding and web design.

With 13+ years of design experience, lead designer Justin Mabee combines brand strategy, creative direction, and technical expertise to help businesses fall in love with their brand again. Our approach goes beyond pretty pictures to create strategic design solutions that drive real results.

Based in Philadelphia. Proudly LGBTQ+ friendly. No bullsh*t, just results.