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Mariz Melo

Learn how to create prototypes the look & feel like real applications. I will walk you through the Principle user interface and animation features, after that we will develop 2 different prototypes together.

The YummyYucky food taste app and the Moviegoer app which helps people finding movies to watch.

Knowledge in Sketch App is a nice to have, but not required for this course.

I hope you are as excited as I am to start this journey.

Let's get started.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Let get comfortable navigating the Principle user interface. I will cover some basic examples to get you up and running fast.
Get to know about the instructor and what you are going to learn during this course
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In this lesson I will introduce myself, give you an overview of the course and everything you are going to learn. We are also talk about the 2 different projects we will build together.

In this lesson I will give you an overview of the Principle user interface. Let's go over all the options available and learn some time saving shortcuts in the process.

In this lesson we will explore all features for the preview panel and how to export your animations.

In this lesson we will learn how to group elements together and how groups behave in Principle.

In this lesson we will go over the Insert toolbar menu option. Let's talk about Artboards, Shapes, and Text elements.

In this lesson we will learn to work with Masks in Principle.

In this lesson we will learn how to import different types of assets inside your projects in Principle.

In this lesson we will learn how to import assets from Sketch using copy and paste and the built in import feature in Principle. Also, let's learn how to hide artboards and merge groups into a single layer.

In this lesson we will learn how to import assets from Figma an online vector collaboration tool for creative teams.

NOTE: This feature was introduced in Principle version 5

In this lesson we will learn the basics about Events and Transitions. Learn about the animate panel and how to use it to control your animations.

In this lesson we will explore properties in the animation panel and how to work with them.

In this lesson we will explore circular animations and create a clock face for Apple Watch.

In this lesson we will create an animated circular spinner that can be used to communicated content loading, waiting time between actions, and more.

In this lesson we will enhance our Circular Spinner animation making it more interesting.

In this lesson you are going to learn how to drag and drop elements applying transitions and effects to them.

In this lesson we will learn how to scroll content in Principle. Scroll horizontal and vertical content.

In this lesson we will learn more about the Drivers panel and how to use it to change the behavior of your animations.

In this lesson we will use Drivers to simulate a circular solar system animation while dragging an element.

In this lesson we will learn how to use the Pagination event in Principle. We will also use Drivers to enhance our project.

In this lesson we are going to simulate the popular parallax effect using Principle. Let's create two examples together.

In this lesson we will learn about how to share your animations in Principle.

In this lesson we will learn more about components and why they are important for your workflows.

In this lesson we will learn how use components in principle. Let's create our first component.

In this lesson we will learn how to create a switcher button. Users can use this kind of button to turn on and off features in an application.

In this lesson we will learn how to create a slider component with value indicator.

In this lesson we will create a button with the "ripple effect", the touch effect mostly found on Google's Material Design System.

In this lesson we will learn how to duplicate a component and how we can modify an existing component to behave a little different from the original one.

In this lesson we will learn how connect components to artboards and to other components.

In this lesson we will simulate text input and talk about some limitations in Principle.

In this lesson I will give you an overview of the Yummy Yucky application prototype we will build together during this section of the course.

In this lesson we will create the first screen for our application. You will learn how to use the assets in the resources and how to match your project with the original design.

In this lesson we will create the screen that it will display the app food choices.

In this lesson we will create our food card component using page for a little of scroll effect and drivers to unveil positive and negative events.

In this lesson we will polish our card component and add some effects for positive and negative events (yummy and yucky).

In this lesson we will add transition between our available food choices.

In this lesson we will create a screen to display the food choices app users made while using the application.

In this lesson we will include some interaction for the food menu items. Users should be able to delete saved cards.

In this lesson I will give you an overview of the Moviegoer application we will build together during this section of the course.

In this lesson we will build a circular progress indicator using masks and angles. We will also create an animation to display the Moviegoer logo once the application is loaded.

In this lesson we will build our log-in screen using components for buttons and input types.

NOTE: Use the start.zip file provided to follow the lesson.

In this lesson we will build the reset password screen.

NOTE: Use the start.zip file provided to follow the lesson.

In this lesson we will build the create an account screen for our application.

NOTE: Use the start.zip file provided to follow the lesson.

In this lesson we will build our application main screen with movie highlights, in theaters section, and your favorites.

In this lesson we will learn how to create the list of movies component with the Pagination event.

In this lesson we will learn how to create the trending movies interaction.

In this lesson we will build the movie detail screen with all information about a movie, video trailer, and a list of related materials.

In this lesson we will learn how to play a movie trailer in Principle.

In this lesson we will create a button that let users favorite a movie.

In this lesson we will build a sidebar component with the application menu options.

In this lesson we will build the sidebar list of favorites section.

In this lesson we will create the sign-out feature with a confirmation screen.

In this lesson you will learn how to share your prototypes and interactions as an image or video.

In this lesson you will learn how to share your animation projects as a Macintosh Application. This allows you to share in high fidelity and let users experience the full potential of your prototypes.

In this lesson you will get to know Principle Mirror the iOS app from the principle creator that lets you share your prototypes with iOS devices (iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad).

In this lesson we will go over all we learn together during this course.

NOTE: What can we use principle for?

- Create prototypes to sell your designs
- Communicate micro-interactions
- Communicate with engineering teams and stakeholders
- Keynote presentations
- Experimental animations

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers the Principle user interface and animation features, which are essential for creating realistic prototypes for applications
Teaches how to create interactive components like switcher buttons and sliders, which are commonly used in modern mobile applications
Explores importing assets from Sketch and Figma, which are industry-standard tools for UI design and collaborative design workflows
Demonstrates how to simulate text input, which is a common challenge when prototyping interactive forms and user interfaces
Requires Principle version 5 to import assets from Figma, so learners may need to upgrade to the latest version of the software
Uses the Principle Mirror iOS app to share prototypes with iOS devices, which requires learners to have access to Apple devices

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Reviews summary

Principle prototyping and animation fundamentals

Based on the syllabus and projects, learners would likely say this course offers a solid foundation in Principle. It covers the UI and animation features, explaining interactions (Events, Drivers, Pagination) and components. A major strength is the practical application via two realistic app prototypes. It covers importing assets from Sketch/Figma and sharing prototypes. Note Principle is macOS-only, and may mention limitations like text input. Overall, a highly practical introduction for realistic prototypes.
Principle is only available on macOS.
"It's important to know Principle requires a Mac."
"This course is only relevant if you are on macOS."
Covers importing from Sketch/Figma and sharing.
"The section on importing from Sketch/Figma was relevant for my workflow."
"Knowing how to share prototypes as videos or apps is great."
"Principle Mirror seems like a useful tool for testing."
Shows how components speed up workflow.
"Learning about components felt essential for larger projects."
"Building reusable elements like buttons and sliders was useful."
"Understanding how components interact was key."
Thoroughly covers the Principle UI.
"The section on navigating the user interface was very clear."
"I quickly learned the key shortcuts and panel layouts."
"Understanding groups and layers early on was really helpful."
Explains key animation concepts clearly.
"The lessons on Events and Transitions made sense."
"Using Drivers to control animations was a powerful technique."
"I now understand how to create scrolling and pagination effects."
Builds practical prototypes step-by-step.
"Building the YummyYucky app helped me apply what I learned."
"The Moviegoer project felt like a real-world use case."
"Working through the projects solidified my understanding of workflows."
"These hands-on examples were the most valuable part for me."
Mentions specific limitations of the software.
"The syllabus mentioned limitations, like with text input."
"I wonder if it covers complex interactions or only basics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Principle - Realistic Animations & Prototypes with these activities:
Review UI/UX Design Principles
Strengthen your understanding of UI/UX principles to create more effective and user-friendly prototypes in Principle.
Browse courses on User Interface Design
Show steps
  • Read articles on UI/UX best practices.
  • Analyze existing app interfaces.
  • Identify areas for improvement.
Review 'Don't Make Me Think' by Steve Krug
Understand usability principles to create intuitive and user-friendly prototypes in Principle.
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes.
  • Apply the principles to your prototypes.
Recreate Existing App Animations
Improve your animation skills by replicating animations from popular apps using Principle.
Show steps
  • Choose an app with interesting animations.
  • Analyze the animations and break them down.
  • Recreate the animations in Principle.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Design and Prototype a Micro-interaction
Solidify your understanding of Principle by designing and prototyping a unique micro-interaction.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm micro-interaction ideas.
  • Design the interaction in Principle.
  • Test and refine the prototype.
Review 'Refactoring UI' by Adam Wathan and Steve Schoger
Improve the visual appeal of your prototypes by learning UI refactoring techniques.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes.
  • Apply the techniques to your prototypes.
Create a Principle Animation Tutorial
Deepen your understanding by creating a tutorial explaining a specific animation technique in Principle.
Show steps
  • Choose an animation technique.
  • Create a clear and concise tutorial.
  • Share the tutorial online.
Build a Portfolio of Principle Prototypes
Showcase your skills by creating a portfolio of prototypes built in Principle.
Show steps
  • Select your best prototypes.
  • Create a presentation or website.
  • Share your portfolio with potential employers.

Career center

Learners who complete Principle - Realistic Animations & Prototypes will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Prototype Developer
Prototype developers create functional prototypes of software or hardware products. Potential prototype developers can use this course to learn how to rapidly create realistic prototypes using Principle. The course provides hands-on experience with the Principle user interface and animation features by building prototypes of real-world applications like the Moviegoer app. Learning about components in Principle, and how they can help in prototyping, improves the design and functionality of software systems. As a prototype developer, you may find the ability to share animations as images or videos to be useful.
User Interface Designer
User interface designers create visually appealing and intuitive interfaces for software and applications. This course helps aspiring user interface designers build a foundation in creating realistic animations and prototypes. With its exploration of the Principle user interface and animation features, learners can develop interactive prototypes of applications, like the YummyYucky food taste app and the Moviegoer app. The course's lessons on animation controls, drivers, events, effects, and transitions helps one become a user interface designer. Understanding how to share animations as images or videos is also useful as a user interface designer.
Interaction Designer
Interaction designers focus on how users interact with a product or service. This course is useful for interaction designers looking to enhance their prototyping skills. The course's emphasis on creating realistic animations and prototypes with Principle directly applies to the work of an interaction designer, who needs to visualize and test user flows. By building prototypes like the Moviegoer app, budding interaction designers can gain practical experience. Instruction on components in Principle, and how to work with them, may improve the design of software systems. Studying events and transitions helps enhance one's work as an interaction designer.
Product Designer
Product designers are involved in the overall design and development of a product, focusing on both functionality and aesthetics. This course helps product designers enhance their prototyping skills. The ability to create realistic animations and prototypes using Principle directly informs the work of a product designer, who must visualize and test product interactions. The course goes over the Principle user interface and animation features and involves building prototypes like the YummyYucky food taste app. You will learn how to share animations in Principle.
User Experience Designer
User experience designers are concerned with the overall experience a user has with a product, including usability, accessibility, and desirability. This course may be useful for user experience designers who want to improve their prototyping abilities. The realistic animations and prototype creation taught in this course help user experience designers to better communicate their designs and test user flows. The course's focus on the Principle user interface and animation features, along with building projects like the YummyYucky food taste app, helps to achieve this goal. The course goes over how to share animations in various forms.
Digital Designer
Digital designers create designs for digital media, including websites, applications, and interactive experiences. This course may assist digital designers who wish to learn realistic animation and prototype creation. Digital designers can improve the animations of their designs using Principle and its animation features, and they can create realistic and interactive prototypes. The course dives deep into animation controls, drivers, events, effects, and transitions. Instruction in using components in Principle, including duplicate ones, may improve a digital design.
Animator
Animators create moving images using computer software or other techniques. This course is directly relevant to animators seeking to expand their skills in user interface animation for applications. By learning Principle and its animation features, animators can create realistic and interactive prototypes, as demonstrated by the YummyYucky app project. The course dives deep into animation controls, drivers, events, effects, and transitions. Aspiring animators can study animated circular spinners, drag and drop animations, and simulated parallax effects.
Motion Graphics Designer
Motion graphics designers create animated graphics and visual effects for various media. This course is useful for motion graphics designers interested in learning how to prototype application interfaces with realistic animations. The course's coverage of Principle's animation features and the creation of prototypes like the Moviegoer app may enhance a motion graphics designer's ability to create engaging user experiences. Motion graphics designers can learn about pagination events, and how to share animations as images or videos. The course teaches how to use drivers to change animation behavior.
Mobile Application Developer
Mobile application developers are involved in creating software for mobile devices. This course is appropriate for mobile application developers who want to enhance their understanding of user interface animations and prototyping. By learning how to create realistic animations and prototypes using Principle, the developer can improve the user experience of their applications. The course covers the Principle user interface and animation features and involves building prototypes like the YummyYucky food taste app. A mobile application developer can use this course to study pagination events, to share animations, and to create components with Principle.
Web Developer
Web developers are involved in building and maintaining websites. This course may be valuable for web developers who want to enhance their understanding of user interface animations and prototyping. By learning how to create realistic animations and prototypes using Principle, the developer can improve the user experience of websites. The course covers the Principle user interface and animation features and involves building prototypes like the Moviegoer app. A web developer can use this course to study scroll content in Principle and to create components.
Creative Director
Creative directors lead the creative development of projects, overseeing designers and ensuring a cohesive vision. This course may be useful for creative directors who want to understand the latest prototyping and animation techniques. Knowledge of Principle and its animation features allows a creative director to guide their teams in creating realistic and engaging user experiences. The course builds prototypes such as the Moviegoer app. A creative director can get a better understanding of components in Principle, and how to work with them. Knowledge of Principle Mirror may be helpful.
Instructional Designer
Instructional designers create learning experiences. This course helps instructional designers who want to improve their ability to create realistic animations and prototypes for educational applications. The course provides hands-on practice with the Principle user interface and animation features, which can be applied to create engaging learning modules. By building prototypes like the YummyYucky food taste app, you will learn how to use components in Principle to enhance teaching experiences. Instructional designers can study topics from creating a switcher button to text input.
Art Director
Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in various projects, including advertising campaigns and film sets. This course may be relevant for art directors who want to broaden their understanding of digital prototyping and animation. By gaining insight into Principle and its animation features, an art director can better guide the visual design of interactive applications and digital experiences. The course's prototype projects, like the YummyYucky app, can provide practical examples. Learning how to share animations as images or videos may be useful.
Design Consultant
Design consultants advise clients on design strategies and solutions. This course may be relevant for design consultants who want to stay up-to-date with the latest prototyping and animation tools. Familiarity with Principle and its animation features may enhance a design consultant's ability to recommend effective design solutions for interactive applications. The course's hands-on projects, such as building the Moviegoer app, can provide practical insights. One may find components in Principle useful for advising customers.
Technical Writer
Technical writers create documentation and guides for technical products. This course may be helpful for technical writers who document software or applications with animated user interfaces. Understanding the process of creating realistic animations and prototypes using Principle allows the technical writer to more accurately describe the functionality and user experience of the product. The course provides a solid grounding in the Principle user interface and animation features. A technical writer can learn how to share animations in order to properly document a piece of software.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Principle - Realistic Animations & Prototypes.
Provides a foundational understanding of usability principles. It emphasizes the importance of intuitive design, which is crucial for creating effective prototypes. Reading this book will help you design prototypes that are easy to use and understand. It is commonly used as a textbook and is valuable as additional reading.

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