In today's digital landscape, where interfaces are saturated with information and options, animation has become a vital tool for guiding users and enhancing their overall experience. Here's why animation matters in telling the user what's happening, signaling interactivity, and directing focus:

Animation Blending: In my opinion it's the most important feature in Rive. Animation blending ensures smooth transitions between visual states, preventing jarring cuts that can feel disorienting and unpleasant to the user's eye.

Interactivity: Animations help clarify which elements of an interface are interactive. Buttons can ripple on hover, menus can slide into view when triggered, and forms might react visually to input. These subtle cues train the user on what they can engage with.

Guidance: Animations have the power to grab the user's attention and focus it on a specific element. This can be used to highlight new features, important alerts, or even delightful, surprising moments within the experience.