How to make an animated mobile app?

Addevice
6 min readJun 14, 2023

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We all love animations, and no wonder why animated mobile apps gain more followers, more attention, and more revenue. Of course, we are talking about creative solutions to simple things that don’t overcomplicate our lives but add more fun and interaction.

There are many ways to add life and excitement to a mobile app and improve the user experience, but what is good and bad about animation? How do you make your application exciting but not overloaded? Lucky for developers, adding an animation to a mobile app couldn’t be easier in 2023 with cross-platform options. In this article, we will explore how to create an animated mobile app using SVGator, a powerful animation tool that can help you create stunning animations for your mobile app.

How are animations used in modern apps?

Animations are all about user experience, but in fact, they are UI elements. Designers do love lots of animated elements, but developers hate them so much. There are so many contradictions around animations, but we still love and want them. Today, with modern tools, it is possible to design and apply animated elements of any complexity.

Applicable to all mobile application types (not only gaming), animations also deliver different user experiences depending on their type. They can convey information, demonstrate functionality, or simply entertain users. Here’s how you can incorporate animation into your application.

  • App navigation: Smooth and interactive navigation with animated design is an exciting way to keep the user on your app, browsing through pages. Animating buttons or icons can also make it clear which actions are available, providing visual feedback that guides users through the app's functionality.
  • Function changes: To amplify the transition from one function to another, applications often use animations to draw the user’s attention.
  • App Guidance: To navigate new users through the application, it is more effective to add animated elements explaining how to navigate and what to do next than creating a text block with a guideline.
  • System status: Unexpected errors may upset users, but they will be more patient waiting for the app to load if there is an appealing animation on the screen.
  • Enhanced brand identity: Animations can help bring your brand identity to life by adding personality and character to your app. They can also help differentiate your app from competitors and create a more memorable user experience. For example, adding playful animations that reflect your brand's values can help your app resonate with your target audience.
  • Simplifying complex processes: Animations can simplify complex processes by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, you can add a progress bar animation to a form to show users where they are in the process and how much more they have left to complete.

How to create animations for a mobile app with SVGator?

Designing and coding an animation from scratch is, of course, an option to implement for your app, but such an approach is expensive and time-consuming, requiring skills and expertise. A more effective way is to use an out-of-the-box, no-code solution to create animations for mobile apps.

SVGator is one such cross-platform animation tool with a bunch of features. It is a powerful, full-featured online SVG creator tool for animations that can be used in mobile apps. With SVGator, developers and designers can create animations that are lightweight and easy to use, while still being visually appealing and engaging. Being a cross-platform solution, it is a favorite tool of developers and teams building cross-platform mobile apps for iOS and Android.

The features of SVGator

  1. User-friendly interface: SVGator has an intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, even for beginners.
  2. Multiple animation options: SVGator has different animation options, including shape morphing, path animation, and stroke animation.
  3. Animation easing: The tool also features a variety of animation easing options to create a more natural feel.
  4. Real-time preview: The real-time preview feature allows you to see the animations in action and change them.
  5. Export options: Once an animation is complete, you can export it as an SVG, JSON, or animated GIF file, which can be integrated into your mobile app.
  6. Cross-platform compatibility: SVGator animations are compatible with all modern browsers and devices, ensuring they can be used on any mobile platform.
  7. Collaboration: SVGator also offers collaboration features, allowing multiple team members to work on the same animation project simultaneously.

Creating animations with SVGator

SVGator uses SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files to create animations, making them scalable and resolution-independent. SVGator is easy to use and requires no coding experience, which is why it is a favorite tool of designers for creating animated mobile apps.

To create an animated mobile app with SVGator, follow these steps:

  1. Choose the object: To get started, import the SVG you want to animate into your mobile app. This object could be a button, a logo, a menu, or any other element in your app. You can also draw your objects within the tool and save them for future projects.
  2. Create the animation: Once you have selected the object, use SVGator's animation tools to create the magic. You can choose from a range of animation types, including fade, slide, bounce, and rotate. In short, there are tons of options to customize the animation.
  3. Animation preview: After creating an animation, use the preview function to see how it looks and feels in the app. You can always roll back the object and adjust the animation until you are satisfied with the final result.
  4. Export the animation: When you are happy with your animation, you can now export it as an SVG file. You can then use this file in your mobile app, either as a standalone animation or as part of a larger animation sequence. For mobile apps, SVGator generates mobile-compatible code for two development frameworks: React Native and Flutter, which help run animations on iOS and Android. All you need to do is choose .js file for React Native and .dart file for Flutter.

Why is it worth trying SVGator for mobile app animations?

Now that you know the features of SVGator and the process of creating animations with the tool, it is worth knowing the advantages it can give you in mobile app design and development.

  1. Accessibility: SVGator is accessible to anyone who wants to create animations for their mobile app, regardless of their coding experience. This accessibility makes SVGator an excellent tool for business owners and investors who want to create engaging mobile apps without hiring a professional animator.
  2. Compatibility across web and mobile: We have talked much about animated mobile apps, but SVGator is a great tool for creating animations for the web as smoothly as for mobile.
  3. No-code solution: If you are a team of designers and developers, this feature may not seem as useful, but at the same time, such tools save developers from the hustle of writing code for animation. Either way, this is a win-win solution for designers and developers.
  4. Scalability: SVGator animations are scalable and resolution-independent, which means they can be used on any device without loss of quality. This scalability makes SVGator animations perfect for mobile apps, where different screen sizes and resolutions are common.
  5. User-friendly interface. Even if you have no prior experience in animation, SVGator makes it easy to create engaging animations. The built-in and totally customizable animations save time and effort, as you don't have to start from scratch every time.
  6. Offline mode: The feature is critical for mobile apps that plan to have an offline mode. You can create a fully functional, animated mobile app that will be functional with or without an internet connection.
  7. Extensive library of vector graphics: This library includes icons, illustrations, and backgrounds, among other things. These graphics are fully editable, so you can tweak them to match your brand's visual identity. This means that you don't need to hire a graphic designer to create custom graphics for your mobile app animations.

Scale up your design with animation: Final words

Animation is a necessity, not a luxury. Creating a smooth user experience with animation will take you one step closer to satisfied users. While SVGator and similar tools will help you get the desired result without investing lots of time and resources, they will also give you more space to focus on more crucial processes.

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