Subtle Visual FX to Add Energy Without Flash

Created by Steve Minor, Modified on Sat, 4 Oct at 10:58 PM by Steve Minor

These aren’t commercial ads, but they shouldn’t be boring either. Use soft styling to make the

message feel important and current:

• Soft gradients: Blue, teal, or maroon = calm, smart tone

• Faint light glow: Behind a heading for focus

• Slide-in animation: For photos or key messages on digital screens

• Blurred overlays: Add background texture, soften layout

• Accent shapes: Angled bars or color strips in brand colors

• Morph transition: For before/after comparisons

Don’t overdo it—1–2 effects max make the ad feel polished and designed.