JavaScript Animation : 9 Projects Without Libraries

Praxisnahes Kursprojekt

Project Overview:

In this interactive class project, you'll use pure JavaScript to animate a shape on a webpage — giving it motion, transformation, and personality without using any external libraries. This project will strengthen your understanding of DOM manipulation, timing functions, and style transitions using JavaScript.

You will design and animate a shape (like a rectangle, circle, or square), changing its position, size, color, or opacity over time using JavaScript code. This project bridges visual creativity with hands-on coding.

 Project Goals:

• Create a shape and animate it using JavaScript (not CSS animations).

• Use methods like setInterval() or requestAnimationFrame() for smooth animation.

• Modify DOM styles dynamically with JavaScript.

• Understand how to update element properties over time to create fluid motion.

Project Steps: 1. Understand the Requirements

The goal is to animate a shape (e.g., a circle or rectangle) using JavaScript only. This can include movement across the screen, color transitions, resizing, fading, or even shape morphing.

2. Set Up Your HTML & CSS

• Create a basic index.html file with a single div for your shape (e.g.,

  ).

• Style the shape minimally with CSS (e.g., width, height, background-color, position).

3. Write Your JavaScript Animation Logic

• Create a separate script.js file.

• Use JavaScript to select the shape using querySelector.

• Animate it using setInterval() or requestAnimationFrame():

  • Change the style.left or style.top for movement.

  • Use style.transform for rotation or scaling.

  • Modify style.backgroundColor or style.opacity.

4. Add Interaction (Optional)

• Add a button to start or stop the animation.

• Let the shape bounce, rotate endlessly, or change color continuously.

5. Test Your Animation

• Open the HTML in a browser.

• Observe how your JavaScript code animates the shape.

• Ensure the animation is smooth and runs without errors.

6. Document Your Code

• Write inline comments to explain:

  • What each part of the code is doing.

  • How your animation loop works.

  • Which properties are being changed and why.

7. Final Submission

Create a Word or PDF document with:

• Your full HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code (with comments).

• An explanation of your animation logic and structure.

• Screenshots showing the animation at various stages.

 Submission Checklist:

• HTML CSS JavaScript code included

•  JavaScript animation explained

•  Screenshots of animated shape in action

•  Well-commented and documented code

Project Outcomes & Benefits:

By completing this JavaScript animation project, you will:

• Learn to use JavaScript to animate DOM elements.

• Understand how browser painting and animation timing works.

• Practice working with dynamic style changes and motion.

• Build confidence in combining logic and visuals for web UI effects.

Let’s make your webpage move! Start your project by choosing a shape and bringing it to life with JavaScript.