Private library / Explore movement
Ideas in motion. People. Machines. Animals. Explore how things move—and find a starting point for your own design.
These first examples are original illustrative sketches. They are not measured human or animal motion, a performance simulation or an engineered design.
← Resource library All motion Human Machines Animals
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9 motion studies
Play to explore, or drag the study-position slider to inspect a pose. Playback starts only when you choose it.
Build an idea as you explore
What catches your eye? Select a movement below. Compare examples, then describe what you want your design to do. You do not need to know the mechanism yet.
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Clear my selection Your selection stays on this page only. It is an inspiration, not a design requirement or an engineering approval.
Human Stylized pose study
ILLUSTRATIVE · NOT TO SCALE Walking & coordinated movement What should move together? Explore the rhythm of alternating limbs. Think about reach, balance and how one movement coordinates with another.
Explore this for my design Questions for my design Where does the movement start? What must stay supported? Machines Geometric motion sketch
ROTATE RECIPROCATE ILLUSTRATIVE · NOT TO SCALE Rotation into a straight-line stroke What should the input become? Turn a crank and follow the slider. Explore the idea of converting a rotating input into a back-and-forth output.
Explore this for my design Questions for my design Do you need rotation, a stroke or a rocking motion? What space is available around the moving parts? Animals Stylized pose study
ILLUSTRATIVE · NOT TO SCALE Four-leg stepping & timing What can nature help us notice? Explore coordinated legs as an inspiration for a moving design. Compare timing and articulation before choosing a mechanism.
Explore this for my design Questions for my design What movement interests you: stepping, gripping or propulsion? Which feature is useful for your own idea? Human Stylized pose study
REACH QUESTION ILLUSTRATIVE · NOT TO SCALE Reaching & joint coordination Where does the hand need to go? Follow a simple shoulder-and-elbow motion. Use it to start thinking about access, positioning and a comfortable interaction.
Explore this for my design Questions for my design What needs to be reached or adjusted? What space or obstruction should the design account for? Machines Geometric motion sketch
GUIDED ARC · PARALLEL LINKS ILLUSTRATIVE · NOT TO SCALE A platform that keeps its orientation What should stay aligned while it moves? Explore a parallelogram linkage. Its upper link stays parallel to the base while the side links swing.
Explore this for my design Questions for my design What needs to keep its orientation? Would an arcing path fit your available space? Animals Stylized pose study
ILLUSTRATIVE · NOT TO SCALE Wing-like folding & sweep Could folding create the movement you need? Explore a stylized pair of articulated wings. Focus on the sweep and coordinated folding as inspiration for a mechanism.
Explore this for my design Questions for my design Does the design need to unfold, sweep or tuck away? Which part of the movement is useful for your idea? Human Stylized pose study
OPEN · CURL · RELEASE ILLUSTRATIVE · NOT TO SCALE Gripping & release How should the design meet the hand? Watch a simplified hand open and curl. Consider the interaction you want before choosing a handle or gripping mechanism.
Explore this for my design Questions for my design What should the hand hold, operate or release? Which users and object sizes need consideration? Machines Geometric motion sketch
OFFSET ROTATION · FOLLOWER LIFT ILLUSTRATIVE · NOT TO SCALE An eccentric cam & follower Could rotation create a repeating lift? Follow a roller above an offset circular cam. Explore the geometric idea of a rotating input producing a repeating follower movement.
Explore this for my design Questions for my design What should rise, fall or repeat? What stroke and contact arrangement need review? Animals Stylized pose study
SIDE-TO-SIDE POSE STUDY ILLUSTRATIVE · NOT TO SCALE Fish-like lateral sweep Could side-to-side motion inspire a design? Explore a flexible-looking body and tail sweep. This is a pose illustration for noticing motion, not a fluid or propulsion model.
Explore this for my design Questions for my design Where should the design bend or stay rigid? What would create and control the repeating movement? Turn an observation into an idea
What would you like Describe the movement, the space it needs to work in and what it should move. You can leave the mechanism undecided.
Start my motion design brief → These introductory motion sketches are for exploring ideas. Measured motion, reusable assets and verified project studies need their own source and review records.