Accessibility shapes how we all experience the world, especially for those with specific needs, and animation is no exception. For some, constant motion can be overwhelming, as S.E. Smith writes in The Verge, highlighting their difficulties with navigating the internet and all the unexpected motion that can pop up at any moment:
“All of us find the internet stimulating, but I find it extremely stimulating, specifically when it comes to animated and moving content — and not in a good way.”
S.E. Smith
Reading this article really got us thinking about the work we produce and how it could impact the audience - not always in a positive way. Animation is a powerful tool for communication, education and engagement. Eye-catching visuals and clever motion design are essential to engage audiences, but accessibility is easily overlooked.
At Fred & Eric, we always consider how motion, colour, timing and interactivity might affect different audiences - including those who are neurodivergent, visually impaired or people who are overwhelmed by sensory output.
This article explores how these issues are relevant to our work, and how we might adapt our design and animation, to ensure the communication we produce is accessible to every viewer.
What Is Accessibility in Design and Animation?
Accessibility ensures that people of all abilities can understand, navigate and interact with digital content. In design, this may involve readable fonts, intuitive layouts and colour contrast.
In animation, this includes features like subtitles, audio descriptions, flashing content warnings, and motion reduction options which avoid triggering viewers with vestibular disorders.
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
Steve Jobs
Why Accessibility Matters
Inclusivity and Equality
Accessibility is a matter of equality. According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people live with some form of disability. If we don’t design for them, we’re excluding a huge portion of the population from meaningful content and interaction. In addition, avoiding stereotypes and reflecting a diversity of backgrounds, ensures work resonates with a wider, more inclusive audience.
Better Design for All
Designing with accessibility in mind often improves the experience for everyone. Using clean visuals, appropriate contrast and readable text can help support users with visual or cognitive differences.
Captions benefit not only the deaf and hard of hearing but also users watching videos in noisy environments.
High-contrast visuals help people with low vision and those using mobile devices in bright light.
Elise Roy, human-centered designer and inclusion advocate
When we design for disability first, you often stumble upon solutions that are better than those when we design for the norm.
Mindful Motion
Being mindful of designing and animating for accessibility, doesn't mean everything will end up looking the same. It just means being deliberate and direct with design choices, and carefully considering timing, transitions and intensity in animation. It's essential to avoid fast flashes, jarring movements or unnecessary motion that could overwhelm or exclude sensitive users. Making deliberate and direct choices helps to ensure animated content engages, without being overwhealming.
Best Practices for Accessibility
- Use Clear, Legible Fonts and sufficient color contrast.
- Add Captions and Subtitles to all videos and animations.
- Provide Audio Descriptions for essential visuals.
- Avoid Rapid Flashes that can trigger seizures.
- Test with Users when possible, and seek feedback from diverse perspectives
Accessible design and animation shouldn’t be seen as ‘nice to have’. It should be essential. When we embed accessibility into our creative process from the start, we make it easier for everyone to join in and be part of it. It’s not just about good design, it’s about doing the right thing and creating visual communication that is accessible to everyone.