A computer system determines that various user interface (UI) elements are to be moved to a different position within the UI. The computer system initiates a first animation that creates first and second aliases for each UI element that is to be moved. The computer system then receives an input that interrupts the initiated first animation. The input indicates that at least one of the UI elements that is being moved during the first animation is to be moved to a different position. The computer system then determines which of the first and second aliases is optimal for use as a starting point for a second animation based on various visibility factors, and initiates a second animation at the determined optimal alias. The second animation uses the determined optimal alias as a starting point and a third, different alias as an end point.