Back to library
INTERACTION_127

Sticky Storytelling Section.

A sticky visual holds while the copy beside it advances. The first step active, the rest at 40% opacity before the trigger; cross-fading the sticky visual and raising the active step once each copy step crossing the viewport centre.

CATEGORY
Scroll
COMPLEXITY
Intermediate
TECH
CSS
PLATFORM
Both
PERFORMANCE
Light
LIVE PLAYGROUND
CSS / CSS
/* Sticky Storytelling Section — A sticky visual holds while the copy beside it advances. */
.sticky-storytelling-section {
  --dur: 480ms;
  --ease: cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1);
  --stagger: 60ms;
  will-change: transform, opacity;
}

.sticky-storytelling-section > * {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(14px);
  animation: sticky-storytelling-section-in var(--dur) var(--ease) forwards;
  animation-delay: calc(var(--i, 0) * var(--stagger));
}

/* the first step active, the rest at 40% opacity -> cross-fading the sticky visual and raising the active step */
@keyframes sticky-storytelling-section-in {
  to {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: none;
    filter: none;
  }
}

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .sticky-storytelling-section > * {
    opacity: 1;
    transform: none;
    animation: none;
  }
}
React / TSX
import { useEffect, useRef } from "react";

/** Sticky Storytelling Section — trigger: each copy step crossing the viewport centre */
export function StickyStorytellingSection({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
  const ref = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);

  useEffect(() => {
    const el = ref.current;
    if (!el) return;
    if (window.matchMedia("(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)").matches) {
      el.dataset["state"] = "in";
      return;
    }
    const io = new IntersectionObserver(
      ([entry]) => {
        if (entry?.isIntersecting) {
          el.dataset["state"] = "in";
          io.unobserve(el);
        }
      },
      { threshold: 0.2 },
    );
    io.observe(el);
    return () => io.disconnect();
  }, []);

  return (
    <div ref={ref} className="sticky-storytelling-section" data-state="out">
      {children}
    </div>
  );
}

IF YOU LIKE THIS, STEAL THESE TOO.

INTERACTION_135CSS

Zoom Through Section

The section scales up and passes the viewer as they scroll.

Scroll / MediumView
INTERACTION_129CSS + JS

Horizontal Scroll Section

Vertical scrolling drives a horizontal panel track.

Scroll / MediumView
INTERACTION_134CSS

Timeline Progression

A vertical line draws down and reveals each milestone.

Scroll / LightView
INTERACTION_136CSS

Stacked Scroll Panels

Sections stack over one another like cards on a table.

Scroll / LightView