From Undesign to Interaction: Scroll-Triggered Animations Are Taking Over in 2025
- Sharllah Brewster
- May 6
- 2 min read
So we touched on one of the most unconventional aesthetic trends in web design for 2025—‘Anti-design’—a movement that embraces raw, chaotic, and purposefully unpolished visuals. Now, let’s pivot from how your site looks to how it feels as users move through it. It’s time to shine a light on one of the hottest interactive trends making waves right now: Scroll-Triggered Animations.
What Are Scroll-Triggered Animations?
Scroll-triggered animations are exactly what they sound like—elements on your site animate into view as the user scrolls. Think headlines fading in, images sliding across the screen, or icons bouncing into place as you move down a page. It’s a technique that transforms static content into an unfolding visual journey.
Why They’re Blowing Up in 2025
In a landscape where attention spans are shorter than ever, scroll animations offer a compelling solution:
They captivate users, pulling them deeper into the site.
They guide the eye, helping organize content flow and narrative structure.
They feel modern, giving even minimalist sites a touch of high-end polish.
They align perfectly with brutalist and anti-design layouts, adding a layer of unexpected sophistication.
But Here’s the Catch: It’s All About Balance
Just like anti-design breaks the grid without losing clarity, scroll animations must enhance—not overpower—the message. Overdoing it can feel gimmicky or slow down performance. Underusing them misses the opportunity.
How to Use Scroll Animations Right:
Anchor your story – Use animations to emphasize your content hierarchy.
Keep it intentional – Don’t animate everything. Be deliberate.
Optimize for performance – Use light libraries and test on mobile.
Design for accessibility – Don’t leave screen reader users behind.
Tools to Get You Started:
AOS (Animate on Scroll) – Simple, plug-and-play animations.
Scroll Magic – Great for timeline-based animations.
GSAP + Scroll Trigger – For pro-level control and buttery smooth effects.
The Big Picture: Interaction Completes the Experience
Anti-design shook things up by changing how websites are perceived. Scroll-triggered animations build on that momentum by changing how they are experienced. Together, they create web experiences that feel unexpected, memorable, and alive.
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