# elegance-sophistication

Prompting rules for AI agents to craft restrained, luxury-focused UI motion. It sets gentle transitions and strict easing for high-end web experiences.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 585 installs · ★ 129
- Author: dylantarre
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/tree/HEAD/skills/06-by-emotional-outcome/elegance-sophistication/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2025-12-30
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/elegance-sophistication

## What it does

The skill instructs coding assistants to write understated UI transitions suited for luxury brands, fashion boutiques, or art galleries. It adapts traditional Disney animation concepts with strict restraint: squash and stretch stay within 0-5%, while exaggeration is limited to 10% maximum. Refined motion glides smoothly rather than deforming elements.

Concrete timing rules govern every transition type. Element reveals run for 500-700ms using `ease-out`, whereas opacity fades take 300-400ms. CSS variables provide ready-to-use curves like `--elegant-smooth: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)` to keep deceleration gradual.

Bouncy springs break the sense of quality. Because of that, the guidelines bar bounce and wobble completely.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill elegance-sophistication -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/elegance-sophistication/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/elegance-sophistication/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill elegance-sophistication -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/elegance-sophistication/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill elegance-sophistication -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/elegance-sophistication/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install dylantarre/animation-principles elegance-sophistication
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/elegance-sophistication/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill elegance-sophistication -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles --path skills/06-by-emotional-outcome/elegance-sophistication
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/elegance-sophistication/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add dylantarre/animation-principles --skill elegance-sophistication -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/dylantarre/animation-principles/tree/HEAD/skills/06-by-emotional-outcome/elegance-sophistication/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- configure subtle CSS reveal animations for luxury retail
- eliminate bouncy spring effects from high-end interfaces
- apply calibrated bezier curves to modal transitions
- define unhurried motion timings for boutique catalogs

## Example prompts
- Create a refined slide-in transition for a boutique jewelry modal
- Apply elegance-sophistication motion guidelines to this gallery reveal
- Write CSS keyframes for a hero banner fade using cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: d052064f78ea6774.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE d052064f78ea6774
````text
---
name: elegance-sophistication
description: Use when creating animations that convey luxury, refinement, or premium brand experiences.
---

# Elegance & Sophistication Animation

Create animations that convey refinement, luxury, and understated excellence.

## Emotional Goal

Elegance emerges from restrained, perfectly timed motion. Sophistication means animations that are noticed for their quality, not their quantity—subtle excellence over obvious effort.

## Disney Principles for Elegance

### Squash & Stretch
Extremely minimal (0-5%). Refined objects don't deform—they glide. Preserve perfect proportions throughout motion.

### Anticipation
Subtle, refined preparation (100-150ms). A gentle weight shift, not a wind-up. Elegant motion begins smoothly.

### Staging
Negative space and restraint. Let elements breathe. Single focal point with generous margins. Less is more.

### Straight Ahead Action
Avoid. Elegance requires control and precision. Every frame should be intentional and refined.

### Follow Through & Overlapping Action
Graceful, extended settling. Like silk falling. Long, smooth deceleration without bounce or wobble.

### Slow In & Slow Out
Extended easing on both ends. Gradual, flowing motion. `cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1)` for refined transitions.

### Arc
Sweeping, graceful curves. Like a conductor's baton or a dancer's arm. Beautiful paths, not just endpoints.

### Secondary Action
Minimal, purposeful accents. A subtle shadow shift, a gentle highlight. Supporting motion that elevates, not distracts.

### Timing
Unhurried but not slow (300-500ms). Time to appreciate the motion. Luxury doesn't rush.

### Exaggeration
Almost none (0-10%). Realistic, refined movements. Perfection in subtlety.

### Solid Drawing
Impeccable proportions maintained. No distortion. Geometric precision and balance.

### Appeal
Clean lines, perfect proportions. Monochromatic or limited palette. Timeless aesthetics.

## Timing Recommendations

| Element | Duration | Easing |
|---------|----------|--------|
| Fade | 300-400ms | `ease-in-out` |
| Slide | 400-500ms | `ease-out` |
| Scale | 350-450ms | `ease-in-out` |
| Reveal | 500-700ms | `ease-out` |

## CSS Easing

```css
--elegant-smooth: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
--elegant-enter: cubic-bezier(0.0, 0, 0.2, 1);
--elegant-flow: cubic-bezier(0.45, 0, 0.55, 1);
```

## Refined Transitions

```css
@keyframes elegant-reveal {
  from {
    opacity: 0;
    transform: translateY(10px);
  }
  to {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: translateY(0);
  }
}

.elegant-element {
  animation: elegant-reveal 500ms cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1) forwards;
}
```

## Design Principles

- White space is active, not empty
````
END THIRD-PARTY FILE d052064f78ea6774

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