MOTION DESIGN AS A TOOL OF EMOTIONAL IMPACT IN THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
Objective: The integration of animated elements into digital environments has transformed motion design into a core tool for emotional communication. This study investigates how specific motion parameters influence emotional perception and user engagement across platforms.
Methods: A mixed-method design was employed, combining content analysis of 20 motion-based digital products, semi-structured interviews with six professional motion designers, and an evaluative user study involving 20 participants. Visual rhythm, transition timing, pacing, and animation types were analyzed alongside self-reported emotional responses and expert commentary.
Key findings: Smooth transitions and fade-in effects were strongly associated with calmness and trust, while sharp cuts and pulsing animations evoked urgency and tension. Designers emphasized rhythm and timing as key emotional drivers, though cited challenges in standardizing affective outcomes across platforms. User testing showed 70% alignment between intended and perceived emotions. Engagement was highest for synchronized animations on social media platforms, with content reveal sequences receiving the strongest positive response.
Conclusions: Motion design functions as an affective layer of digital interaction, capable of modulating user emotion when calibrated effectively. Combining designer intent with real-time user feedback and platform specificity is critical for emotionally intelligent digital communication. Further development of standardized affective frameworks may enhance consistency and design precision.
References
Bettis, A. H., Burke, T. A., Nesi, J., & Liu, R. T. (2022). Digital technologies for emotion-regulation assessment and intervention: A conceptual review. Clinical Psychological Science, 10(1), 3–26. https://doi.org/10.1177/21677026211011982
Cascella, M., Cascella, A., Monaco, F., & Shariff, M. N. (2023). Envisioning gamification in anesthesia, pain management, and critical care: Basic principles, integration of artificial intelligence, and simulation strategies. Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care, 3(1), 33. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s44158-023-00118-2
Chen, X., & Ibrahim, Z. (2023). A comprehensive study of emotional responses in AI-enhanced interactive installation art. Sustainability, 15(22), 15830. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/22/15830
Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Beltrán-Velasco, A. I., Herrero-Roldán, S., Rodriguez-Besteiro, S., Martínez-Guardado, I., Martín-Rodríguez, A., & Tornero-Aguilera, J. F. (2024). Digital device usage and childhood cognitive development: Exploring effects on cognitive abilities. Children, 11(11), 1299. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/11/1299
Dhiman, D. B. (2023). Games as tools for social change communication: A critical review. Global Media Journal, 21, 61. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4401202
El-Raheb, K., Kougioumtzian, L., Kalampratsidou, V., Theodoropoulos, A., Kyriakoulakos, P., & Vosinakis, S. (2025). Sensing the inside out: An embodied perspective on digital animation through motion capture and wearables. Sensors, 25(7), 2314. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/7/2314
Garlinska, M., Osial, M., Proniewska, K., & Pregowska, A. (2023). The influence of emerging technologies on distance education. Electronics, 12(7), 1550. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/12/7/1550
Haddock, A., Ward, N., Yu, R., & O’Dea, N. (2022). Positive effects of digital technology use by adolescents: A scoping review of the literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), 14009. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14009
Henz, P. (2022). The psychological impact of the Metaverse. Discover Psychology, 2(1), 47. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44202-022-00061-3
Holt, S. (2023). Virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality: For astronaut mental health; and space tourism, education and outreach. Acta Astronautica, 203, 436–446. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576522006889
Lan, X., Wu, Y., & Cao, N. (2023). Affective visualization design: Leveraging the emotional impact of data. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 30(1), 1–11. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10301796
Matthews, B., Shannon, B., & Roxburgh, M. (2023). Destroy all humans: The dematerialisation of the designer in an age of automation and its impact on graphic design-A literature review. International Journal of Art & Design Education, 42(3), 367–383. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jade.12460
Mitsea, E., Drigas, A., & Skianis, C. (2023). VR gaming for meta-skills training in special education: The role of metacognition, motivations, and emotional intelligence. Education Sciences, 13(7), 639. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/13/7/639
Praveen, C. K., & Srinivasan, K. (2022). Psychological impact and influence of animation on viewer’s visual attention and cognition: A systematic literature review, open challenges, and future research directions. Computational and Mathematical Methods in Medicine, 2022(1), Article ID 8802542. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2022/8802542
Shanmugasundaram, M., & Tamilarasu, A. (2023). The impact of digital technology, social media, and artificial intelligence on cognitive functions: A review. Frontiers in Cognition, 2, Article 1203077. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cognition/articles/10.3389/fcogn.2023.1203077/full
Sobchyshak, O., Berrezueta-Guzman, S., & Wagner, S. (2025). Pushing the boundaries of immersion and storytelling: A technical review of Unreal Engine. arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.08142. https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.08142
Vistorte, A. O. R., Deroncele-Acosta, A., Ayala, J. L. M., Barrasa, A., López-Granero, C., & Martí-González, M. (2024). Integrating artificial intelligence to assess emotions in learning environments: A systematic literature review. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, Article 1387089. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1387089/full
Wang, J. Z., Zhao, S., Wu, C., Adams, R. B., Newman, M. G., Shafir, T., & Tsachor, R. (2023). Unlocking the emotional world of visual media: An overview of the science, research, and impact of understanding emotion. Proceedings of the IEEE, 111(10), 1236–1286. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10132377
Yenduri, G., Maddikunta, P. K. R., Gadekallu, T. R., Jhaveri, R. H., Bandi, A., Chen, J., ... & Wang, W. (2024). Spatial computing: Concept, applications, challenges and future directions. arXiv preprint arXiv:2402.07912. https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.07912
Zubala, A., Kennell, N., & Hackett, S. (2021). Art therapy in the digital world: An integrative review of current practice and future directions. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, Article 595536. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.600070/full
Views:
168
Downloads:
127
Copyright (c) 2025 Assembek Saniya
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles are published in open-access and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). Hence, authors retain copyright to the content of the articles.
CC BY 4.0 License allows content to be copied, adapted, displayed, distributed, re-published or otherwise re-used for any purpose including for adaptation and commercial use provided the content is attributed.
