Implement Optional Animations for Components

[loftwah]

Now that we have refactored our application into reusable components, we want to add optional animations to enhance the user experience. These animations should be configurable and easy to apply across different components.

Tasks:

1. Choose an Animation Approach:

   • Decide between CSS transitions, CSS animations, or a JavaScript animation library (e.g., Anime.js)
   • Consider performance implications and browser support

2. Create Animation Helpers:

   • Develop a set of Ruby helpers to easily apply animations to components
   • Ensure these helpers can be used with Turbo and Stimulus for dynamic content

3. Implement Basic Animations:

   • Fade in/out
   • Slide in/out (from different directions)
   • Scale in/out
   • Rotate

4. Create Complex Animation Sequences:

   • Develop helpers for chaining multiple animations
   • Allow for customizable timing and easing functions

5. Add Animation Options to Components:

   • Modify existing components to accept animation parameters
   • Ensure animations are optional and fallback gracefully if not supported

6. Implement Specific Animations for Key Components:

   • Add subtle hover animations to Link components
   • Implement entrance animations for Achievement and Event components
   • Create loading animations for the Analytics Dashboard component

7. Optimize Performance:

   • Use will-change CSS property judiciously
   • Implement animations using requestAnimationFrame where appropriate
   • Ensure animations don't cause layout thrashing

8. Accessibility Considerations:

   • Respect user preferences for reduced motion
   • Ensure animations don't interfere with screen readers or keyboard navigation

9. Create Documentation:

   • Document how to use animation helpers with components
   • Provide examples of common animation patterns

10. Testing:

    • Implement visual regression tests to ensure animations don't break layouts
    • Test performance impact of animations, especially on lower-end devices

11. Create Animation Toggle:

    • Implement a global toggle for users to enable/disable animations site-wide
    • Store user preference in the database or local storage

This enhancement will add a new layer of interactivity and polish to our application, making it more engaging for users while maintaining performance and accessibility.