Animation has long been used as an eye-catching element that helps differentiate an app from its competitors.

Now, however, more designers are incorporating animation as a functional element that enhances the user experience, to simulate the appearance of interacting with a real object.

Animation is no longer just for games. It also illuminates navigation: Think of a button that toggles a panel of otherwise hidden content, such as a menu. Closing the panel shrinks the menu, where it disappears back into the button. Other examples include zooming content or providing feedback to confirm a user’s action.

Functional animation makes app experiences more dynamic and provides a more direct visualization of the user’s actions. As smartphones become more advanced, designers are adding HTML5 animation and parallax design to mobile apps to bring a new level of richness and excitement to the mobile user experience.