Video terms / DEMOVELA FIELD GUIDE

What are keyframes in video animation?

In motion design, keyframes define property values at particular moments, such as position, scale or opacity. The animation system determines the values between them. Encoding keyframes are a different use of the same word.

By Demovela · Published · 2 min read

Why it matters

A product close-up might begin at one scale, move to a larger scale and then hold. Defining the endpoints is only part of the design: the timing and interpolation determine whether the movement feels deliberate and leaves time to read.

Apply the idea to product footage

  1. Choose the property and the communication purpose of its change. A zoom should identify useful evidence, not merely keep the screen moving.
  2. Set the initial and final values with enough time around them for context and reading. Add a stable hold where the decisive product state appears.
  3. Review the interpolation and easing between values. Test long text and different footage so the motion does not collide with important content.
MAKE IT CONCRETE

A concrete example

An illustrative scene could hold the full product window, scale towards the saved-status region, then remain still while a short caption explains the result. The keyframes define the scale positions; the easing controls how the camera travels between them.

Limits and checks

A video compression keyframe is not an animation control point. When discussing export or seeking problems, clarify which meaning is intended. Do not use camera motion to imply an interaction that was never recorded.

Your next step

Pair keyframe positions with an easing choice and a readable hold in the template specification.

References and scope

Examples are illustrative production guidance, not measured customer results. General workflows are not promises of product compatibility. Read our editorial approach and current Demovela scope.

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