Readymag websites with parallax scrolling: how to add dynamic motion to your designs

Parallax scrolling can be more than a technique for adding dynamic motion to a web page—it’s a great storytelling tool too. If your design calls for rich visual stories, the parallax effect may be your best bet.

Let’s explore what a parallax scrolling effect is and how you can create it.

What is a parallax scrolling effect

Parallax scrolling is an animation technique of moving the background and foreground at different speeds on the scroll. For website viewers, parallax feels like watching layers of a 3D world unfold right in front of them.

The immersive aspect of parallax scrolling web design makes it a great option for creative portfolios, marketing and design agencies, art exhibitions, and projects that take you down memory lane—the effect does the job, and flat web pages instantly come alive.

What are the benefits of using a parallax scrolling effect

In the right design context, the parallax scrolling effect adds energy to a website. Here are some of its key benefits:

• Parallax scrolling gives a web page a 3D-like feel. This effect works particularly well on websites that tell a story or refer to specific events. For example, a site documenting a historical event can use a parallax scroll to move users through time.
• With the parallax scrolling effect, you can present all your content in a single, continuous scroll. Your audience doesn’t have to browse through multiple pages—the parallax scrolling allows you to literally lead them around the page. 
• When executed thoughtfully, a web page with parallax can create a memorable experience for visitors because it keeps them curious as they scroll. 

How to create a parallax scrolling effect with Readymag

You can create parallax scrolling with CSS or Javascript using code, but it’s much easier to add to your design with the help of Readymag. Here’s how to do it:

• Log in to your Readymag account or sign up if you don’t have one yet.
• Create a new project or select a template to build on and speed up the design process.
• Add background, middle, and foreground images and select their sizes—original or half of the original—via the Picture widget. 
• Place and combine them as you see fit. Make sure each layer is positioned properly to achieve the desired depth effect: backgrounds should match or exceed screen resolution, middle layers should be wider and slightly shorter, and foregrounds should be wide enough to scroll without showing edges. Remember: all the layers must have the same positioning.
• For each layer you want to move with the parallax effect, tap on the Animation icon in the widget’s control panel.
• From the available options, select On Scroll. This option triggers animations when the user scrolls down the page. Decide when you want the animation to begin. 
• For the On Scroll animation, you can set the start point for each layer. The background layer can start at the top of the page. The middle layer can start when it reaches the center of the screen. The foreground can set off its animation when it reaches the bottom of the screen.
• Adjust the Speed of each layer’s animation. 
• To create the parallax, choose specific animation effects for each layer. For example, use Move for the background layer to make it drift slowly or adjust Opacity to make it fade in or out as the user scrolls.
• After setting the animation, preview it, and test to see how the parallax effect works as you scroll down the page. 

If you want to get a command of all the Readymag animations, watch this handy tutorial or visit the Readymag Help section for detailed instructions.

What are the mistakes to avoid when using parallax scrolling

Sometimes, the parallax effect can feel out of place. When it becomes more about the effect than the experience, you risk damaging the impression your website leaves on visitors. This may happen if your parallax scrolling is way too overwhelming and controlling.

So, how do you make sure that parallax scrolling works for your website? Keep these three things in mind: purpose, performance, and usability. Use parallax to support your content, not distract from it. Keep animations lightweight and test the result across devices to see if the experience feels intuitive.

It’s also important to consider accessibility for websites with parallax scrolling. Our helpful checklist can help you keep your site usable for everyone.

Readymag website examples with parallax scrolling

For your inspiration, we’ve gathered some of the most visually striking websites with parallax scrolling, all built with Readymag:

Studio Monstro is a creative studio that showcases its work in branding, motion, and web design through a bold, visually dynamic website with parallax scrolling. Here website layers move at different speeds as you scroll, creating a bold, cinematic feel that fits the high-energy creative work. Studio Monstro demonstrates creativity right from the start and uses a parallax scroll to showcase its portfolio.

30 Years of Rwandan Genocide is a digital memorial and educational platform dedicated to remembering one of the greatest terrors of the 20th century. Here, parallax scrolling helps guide you through the story. The layered motion adds emotional weight and a sense of depth to the narrative. In a certain sense, the parallax scrolling effect here works to present the whole website as a documentary you have control over.

This is how you can use parallax in a subtle and powerful way. The resource hub commemorating the humanitarian crisis in Artsakh uses parallax scrolling to showcase the timeline and facts about the tragedy quickly and clearly. You can feel the tragedy unfold right in front of you.

The Book in the Epoch of Charents is a literary project exploring the influence of Armenian poet Yeghishe Charents. The website features subtle parallax motion in image layers, which adds a soft historical feel without overpowering the scholarly content.

OVERLAY by P.Y.E Optics is a digital campaign showcasing a sunglasses collection with bold, modern visuals. The website’s parallax movement makes each product feel alive and dynamic, which is an effective move for a fashion-forward brand.

NWR is a portfolio website with an experimental art/tech vibe by Anwar, a multidisciplinary designer and brand director focused on visual storytelling. The website heavily relies on parallax and scroll-based animations. The whole website is brimming with storytelling techniques, capturing the essence of the designer’s inspiration right from the start.

Nagu Studio is a personal portfolio site of a digital designer and art director. Its high-end and minimalist tone aims to attract clients or collaborators in design and creative tech fields. The parallax scrolling effect is used in project showcases to create a feeling of depth and motion as you browse. While typography plays a big part in the site’s style, the parallax scroll subtly complements it.

FAQ

When is it better to avoid parallax scrolling?
If high speed is your priority, it’s better to skip parallax scrolling, since heavy animations can slow down page loads. Some people also get motion sickness or just find a parallax-scrolling page hard to navigate. Keep accessibility in mind and give viewers an option to turn the effect off.

What image size should be used for parallax scrolling?
The image size for parallax scrolling depends on how much depth you want to convey, and also on the largest screen resolution your project can support. The background should match or exceed the maximum screen resolution—e.g., 1920x1080. Middle layers are about two-thirds as tall and 2–3 times wider, while foreground layers should be wide enough for seamless motion without visible edges.

Ready to try parallax scrolling yourself? Explore what the effect can do and get inspired by more amazing websites in our Examples section.