Folder Interaction

Published Dec 18, 2025

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Updated Dec 26, 2025

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1 minutes read

Folder Interaction

Folders aren't just for organizing files—they can also create a sense of discovery in digital interfaces. This component mimics the motion of a real folder opening, giving users a tangible experience.

Interactive

Anticipation

One of the most important principles in animation design is anticipation. When the user hovers over the folder, the cover lifts slightly and the cards begin to move upward. This creates the feeling that "something is about to happen."

On hover, the cover rotates to -15 degrees, while clicking brings it to -30 degrees. This gradual transition makes the animation feel natural.

Spring Physics

Framer Motion's spring animations create movements based on real physics:

Stiffness: 260 — The spring's stiffness determines how quickly it responds
Damping: 20 — Damping controls how smoothly the motion settles

These values create a feel that's neither too stiff nor too loose. The fan-like spreading of the cards also looks organic thanks to spring physics.

Depth & Perspective

To create a 3D feel, the CSS perspective property is used. Each card is positioned at a different z-index and rotates at different angles when opened to form a fan:

Left card: -6 degrees
Center card: 0 degrees (stands out)
Right card: +6 degrees

These small details create the illusion of a 3D object on a 2D screen.

Micro-interactions Matter

Small interactions make big differences. The thin white line on the cover simulates light reflection. The blur effect and gradients on the background create a glass-like surface feel.

These kinds of details create a subconscious perception of "quality" and "care" in users.