A system and method for generating a dynamic pointer having time-dependent informational content in a computer system. The system includes an object identification module for identifying objects or areas of interest aligned with the pointer. A pointer appearance selection module is provided for selecting a pointer appearance from a sequential set thereof based on the elapsed time during which the pointer has been aligned with the identified object. The selected pointer appearance is then displayed at the pointer position. In this manner, a substantially continuous visual transformation of the pointer is presented to the viewer while the pointer is maintained in alignment with the object or area of interest.