How to Build Apple-Style Blob Animations in Figma with Smart Animate

Apple spends millions refining its UI animations, but you can recreate the same elastic, fluid feel inside Figma using Smart Animate. This walkthrough builds a blob-based layout that transitions smoothly between horizontal and vertical views with drag interactions and bounce effects.

Setting Up the Frames

Start with a frame and three blob shapes. Add two buttons for switching between horizontal and vertical movement. Then create transition screens between the two layout orientations.

You need three screens for horizontal views and three for vertical views, each one highlighting a different blob. The key detail is adding edge screens with a one-millisecond delay to create that elastic snapback feel when you overshoot.

Wiring Up Smart Animate

Link each blob to its designated screen using Smart Animate. Add a drag interaction so users can swipe between states and feel the transitions as continuous movement rather than hard cuts.

Use interactive components to handle switching between horizontal and vertical views. As a final touch, add seamless transitions with a one-millisecond timer to prevent blob overlaps during rapid state changes.

Key Takeaways

• Smart Animate in Figma can produce Apple-quality transitions without writing any code
• Edge screens with one-millisecond delays create convincing elastic bounce effects
• Drag interactions combined with interactive components make the prototype feel native

Resources

• Figma Smart Animate Docs -- official documentation for Smart Animate prototyping