Universal Emotion

dylantarre/animation-principles/skills/06-by-emotional-outcome/universal-emotion

by dylantarre83597134ba8fNo license99 starsListed Oct 8, 2026Updated Oct 8, 2026Repository updated 9 months ago

Use when you need to achieve any emotional outcome through animation—provides a framework for mapping Disney principles to any target emotion.

Instructions onlyDesign & Creative
AI-generated overview

Maps Disney's 12 animation principles to a target emotion, giving motion, timing and easing parameters.

What it does
Provides a framework that translates an intended emotional outcome into concrete animation parameters. It guides the user through defining the emotion on energy, valence, arousal and dominance spectrums, then maps Disney's 12 principles to that emotion with suggested values. It also offers easing selections, a CSS variables template, a decision tree and guidance on blending a primary and secondary emotion.
When to use it
Use when an animation needs to convey a specific feeling rather than a purely functional transition. It suits novel emotional requirements, brand-specific interpretations, complex emotional journeys, A/B testing of emotional impact, cross-cultural considerations and accessibility adaptations.
Requirements
No tools, packages or credentials are required; the skill is instructions only and ships no scripts.

Universal Emotion Animation Framework

Map Disney's 12 principles to any emotional goal through systematic analysis.

Emotional Goal

Any emotion can be achieved through intentional application of animation principles. This framework helps translate emotional intent into specific motion parameters.

Emotion Mapping Framework

Step 1: Define the Emotion

Identify your target on these spectrums:

  • Energy: Low ←→ High
  • Valence: Negative ←→ Positive
  • Arousal: Calm ←→ Excited
  • Dominance: Submissive ←→ Powerful

Step 2: Map Principles to Emotion

PrincipleLow EnergyHigh Energy
Squash & Stretch0-10%20-40%
Anticipation50-100ms150-300ms
Timing400-800ms100-250ms
Exaggeration0-15%25-50%
Follow ThroughExtended settleQuick bounce
PrincipleSeriousPlayful
ArcDirect/LinearCurved/Bouncy
Secondary ActionMinimalAbundant
Straight AheadAvoidEmbrace
AppealClean/GeometricRound/Organic

Step 3: Select Easing

Emotion TypeEasing StyleExample
CalmSymmetric easeease-in-out
ConfidentStrong ease-outcubic-bezier(0,0,0.2,1)
PlayfulOvershootcubic-bezier(0.34,1.56,0.64,1)
UrgentSharp ease-outcubic-bezier(0.0,0,0.2,1)
ElegantExtended easecubic-bezier(0.4,0,0.6,1)

Quick Reference by Emotion

Positive Emotions

  • Joy: Fast timing, high squash/stretch, bouncy easing
  • Trust: Consistent timing, minimal deformation, smooth easing
  • Calm: Slow timing, subtle movement, symmetric easing
  • Excitement: Fast timing, high energy, dynamic easing

Functional Emotions

  • Urgency: Very fast, direct paths, attention-grabbing
  • Professional: Moderate timing, minimal decoration, standard easing
  • Friendly: Moderate timing, soft deformation, gentle easing

Premium Emotions

  • Elegant: Slower timing, no deformation, refined easing
  • Powerful: Deliberate timing, impact emphasis, strong easing

CSS Variables Template

css
:root {  /* Adjust based on target emotion */  --emotion-duration: 300ms;  --emotion-easing: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);  --emotion-squash: 1;  --emotion-overshoot: 0;}

Decision Tree

  1. Is the emotion high or low energy?
  2. Is the feeling positive, negative, or neutral?
  3. Should users feel in control or guided?
  4. Is this a moment or a state?
  5. What's the brand personality?

Combining Emotions

Real experiences blend emotions. Layer principles:

  • Primary emotion: 70% influence
  • Secondary emotion: 30% influence
  • Adjust timing/easing accordingly

When to Use

  • Novel emotional requirements
  • Brand-specific interpretations
  • Complex emotional journeys
  • A/B testing emotional impact
  • Cross-cultural considerations
  • Accessibility adaptations

Source and attribution

Source:dylantarre/animation-principlesinskills/06-by-emotional-outcome/universal-emotionat commit8359713

License: No license

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