Discover Parallax: The Secret to Creating Depth in Your Website

User experience (UX) is always a vital factor that determines the success of a website. Not only stopping at flat design or multi-dimensional design (material design), motion effects (motion design) are increasingly popular thanks to their ability to attract and guide viewers' emotions. Among them, Parallax - an effect that appeared in the 2010s has affirmed its position as an indispensable "spice" for websites that want to make a strong impression. So what is special about this effect, let's explore it with SaDesign in the article below.

1. Overview of Parallax

1.1. What is Parallax?

Parallax or Parallax Scrolling is a web design technique in which layers of content on a page move at different speeds, creating the effect of depth, dimension, and motion. This technique is used to make a website lively, engaging, and create a sense of 3D motion.

Parallax Scrolling creates the effect of background elements and content elements moving at different speeds as the user scrolls the page. This creates a sense of movement, depth, and helps create an engaging interactive experience on the website.

Parallax Scrolling technique is widely used in web design, especially in Landing Pages, product introduction pages or website homepages. This effect helps to attract users' attention, increase memorability and improve experience.

1.2. How Parallax works

Parallax works on the following principle: objects in the distance move more slowly than objects in the distance. This technique is used in web design to create a deep, multi-dimensional motion effect.

When using Parallax, the web page is divided into separate layers or elements, which can be images, text, or videos. Each of these layers is placed on its own layer, which can move independently of the other layers.

As the user scrolls the page, the layers move at different speeds, creating a Parallax effect. Layers further back will move slower than those in front, giving the interface more depth. This effect is created by using CSS or JavaScript to adjust the position and speed of each layer based on the scroll position of the page.

As a result, as the user scrolls the page, the elements on the website will move to create a difference in speed, position, creating an attractive dynamic effect and creating a sense of 3D movement. This mechanism helps improve the user experience and makes the website stand out.

2. Outstanding applications of Parallax Scrolling

Web design and UI/UX

Parallax Scrolling is widely used in web design to create a unique and engaging interactive experience. Thanks to its deep and multi-dimensional movement, Parallax Scrolling makes your website more lively and attractive.

Create engaging animations

Parallax Scrolling helps users create special animation effects on the website. When users scroll the page, they will see the elements move and create a deep effect, smooth motion. Using Parallax Scrolling to create attractive animation effects increases interactivity, highlights content and attracts users' attention.

Storytelling – storytelling

Parallax Scrolling provides useful tools to communicate stories and messages for brands. By combining motion, images and text, Parallax Scrolling creates intuitive experiences, increasing interactivity. As a result, users can better understand the message and stay on the information page longer. Parallax is especially useful in building storytelling websites, product introduction pages or brand experience pages.

3. Advantages and disadvantages of using Parallax Scrolling

Advantage

Great User Experience: Parallax Scrolling creates a dynamic website that captures users’ attention and provides an engaging interactive experience. The deep, multi-dimensional motion effect creates interactivity and fun, making it easy for users to access information and creating a sense of being directly involved with the website content.

Make a strong impression: Parallax Scrolling highlights content and makes a difference for the website. The movement and attractive animation effects make it easier for users to remember and leave a deeper impression.

Increased Interactivity: Parallax Scrolling increases user interaction on a website. As users scroll the page, the motion effect creates excitement and a sense of engagement with the website. This can encourage users to interact with elements on the page, such as clicking, scrolling further, or switching between pages.

Limit

Page Load Speed: Using Parallax Scrolling can increase page load times. Animations and heavy images will slow down page load times, especially for users with slow internet connections or using mobile devices.

Compatibility: Parallax Scrolling may not work well on all browsers and devices. So you need to test and make sure that the motion effect is smooth on popular browsers and different devices to ensure compatibility.

Potential impact on user experience: Parallax Scrolling can be distracting and annoying to users if not used thoughtfully. Using too many motion effects or animated elements can make it difficult to read and find information.

4. Parallax Page Layout Ideas

There are many different ways to divide the layout for Parallax in Web design. Accordingly, you can base on the purpose, usage needs, type of website and target audience to be able to make the most suitable choice. Along with that, remember to put customers, viewers or the objects you want to target first to bring the best experience. This may conflict with your preferences, but balance it to ensure long-term benefits.

Long image sequence

Images are one of the most important elements on a website. Accordingly, you can invest in images and combine them with the Parallax effect to enhance the user experience. The most important thing to note when using a series of images is that the images need to be sharp and have uniform size if it is a series of many small images. If you use a large image that shows a lot of content in Parallax, you should separate it clearly to avoid confusion or confusion for the viewer.

Vertical menu bar – Horizontal menu bar

An idea for dividing the layout for the Parallax page that you cannot ignore is using a horizontal and vertical menu bar. If you choose this effect, you need to pay attention to removing unnecessary details such as menu borders, menu walls, etc. Along with that, you can combine more eye-catching effects to highlight your page. Beauty is important, but these effects need to be closely linked together and suitable for the website. By doing all of this, your website will definitely be much more attractive and impressive.

Background music series

Besides images, sound is also one of the factors that easily attract attention. Along with that, with the nature of taking ideas from games, background music is even more necessary in Parallax. For the best effect, you should use soft music and bring a sense of relaxation and comfort to the viewer.

Moving objects

Using moving objects properly can give you surprisingly positive effects. With moving objects combined with Parallax scrolling effects, you should create them in vector to have high sharpness and not break when there is user impact.

Opening and closing pages

To create a strong intro and outro in Parallax web, you should base it on the content. Create a connection and simplify it for your customers.

5. Websites using Parallax effect

Koxx

With unique ideas, bright images combined with Parallax scrolling effects, Koxx has brought viewers a feeling of extreme relaxation and comfort. Along with that, the smart and sophisticated arrangement of text paragraphs helps customers not to miss important information.

Webflow

Webflow makes a strong impression on viewers thanks to the top Parallax effect they create. Not only that, this is also the platform that helps you create Parallax Websites with a strong personal mark.

ToyFight

ToyFight is an Agency specializing in creation and design, so their Parallax-style Website is no less attractive. Accordingly, ToyFight has divided the optional menu bar into different sections with colors corresponding to specific functions. When clicking on each item, you will be provided with different information. However, reading and referring at this time is not boring because ToyFight has cleverly combined the Parallax effect with extremely impressive 3D graphics.

Peugeot Hybrid4

Cleverly combining Parallax effects with top-notch motion images, Peugeot Hybrid4 has brought viewers a real eye-catching experience. And if you want to experience Parallax web design, you definitely cannot ignore Peugeot Hybrid4.

Jess & Russ

It’s no surprise that the wedding website for power couple Russ Maschmeyer and Jessica Hische is a beauty to behold. The site tells their romantic story, with parallax scrolling used throughout to add depth to the illustrations. Nearly a decade old, Jess & Russ is still one of the most Parallax-worthy websites.

Parallax effect is not only a “jewelry” to decorate the website but also a powerful tool to tell stories, enhance user experience and affirm design style. The future of Parallax is likely to be more deeply integrated with WebGL, XR and AI to open up a “top” web experience than ever. Let’s experiment, create and mark your brand with unique Parallax effects with SaDesign!