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Death to Scroll Fade (dbushell.com)

412 points by PaulHoule · 166 days ago · 210 comments on HN

Article summary

The article discusses the author's dislike for the 'scroll fade' effect, a web design trend where elements fade in as they scroll into view. The author argues that this effect is often used excessively and can be annoying, especially when done poorly. The author also mentions that it can be bad for accessibility and performance. The article is written in a humorous tone and includes examples of the author's own experiences with the effect.

Main themes

  • Web design trends
  • Scroll fade effect
  • Accessibility
  • Performance
  • User experience
  • Web development

What commenters say

  • The scroll fade effect is annoying and can be frustrating for users, especially when done excessively or poorly.
  • Some users may not notice the scroll fade effect or may even find it pleasant when done subtly, but others find it distracting and wasteful of their time.
  • The effect can be bad for accessibility, particularly for users with vestibular disorders, and can also negatively impact performance and core web vitals.
  • The use of scroll fade is often driven by a desire to create a visually appealing experience, but it can be seen as a form of 'micro-aggression' that disrespects users' time and attention.
  • Lazy loading of images can be a better approach than using scroll fade, and can be achieved using simple HTML attributes like 'loading=lazy'.
  • The widespread adoption of scroll fade may be due to the influence of certain style guides and design trends, but it is not a universally accepted or liked effect.
  • Some commenters argue that the negative reaction to scroll fade is an overreaction, and that it is a minor cosmetic issue that does not warrant strong opinions.
  • Others argue that the cumulative effect of many small annoyances like scroll fade can add up to a significant waste of time and frustration for users.