UI/UX is extremely important, but it should be remembered that it has its origins in usability and ergonomics. Does it make sense, is it intuitive, is it produ

UI/UX is extremely important, but it should be remembered that it has its origins in usability and ergonomics. Does it make sense, is it intuitive, is it productive etc? Even removing features or interface elements if they're found to be confusing or unproductive. You're trying to help the user know where they need to go, or what they should do, at each step. Animation on the other hand, is rarely important, but if used carefully can provide feedback that's difficult to achieve without. Hiding latency is another useful example. Effects on select or buttons fading in etc almost never adds anything helpful. Trouble is UI/UX and animation is often becoming more about looking cute or professional than actually being productive or ergonomic. It's not a gain if it takes .5s longer to select each item, or takes two extra clicks. Code it to be snappy and professional (or cute, depending on app), then add animation if it's helpful at a sticking, latency or confusion point. That's very different to baking motion design into everything from the beginning, where it risks becoming style over substance. Not to say I don't care about how things look, I do. The way it looks should be helping with what it does, not detracting from it.