Microinteractions are probably the most subtle but important element in UI/UX interactive design because even though they are tiny and well-integrated into a website or app design, have the ability to transform an average user experience into an excellent one.
Remember the like feature from Instagram, with that heart feedback after you like a post? Even if it seems insignificant compared with all the app functionalities, it’s still a nice element to see, right?
Micro interactions are powerful and can completely change the user’s perspective of a certain app or website. And these little elements are exactly what took part in the development of web design trends.
Microinteractions represent small interactive design animations that can offer users immediate feedback for their actions. With just a small feedback, they have the power to communicate a lot of information to visitors and make them understand how a certain website works.
Their main purpose is to provide feedback and offer guidance directly to enhance the user experience. Micro interactions are often seen as a typing indicator in the chat app, a button that changes colors when it is clicked, or as a password meter when you are setting up your account.
Even if these micro animations seem unimportant, the entire interactive design will be considered unattractive without them. They play a crucial role in terms of functionality and can at the same time create an emotional connection with users.
- Enhance usability: micro interactions offer subtle animations that guide users, and a perfect interaction example is the hover effect on buttons. Small animations can guide the user’s attention to more important elements and can highlight them to be easily visible. This way, your interactive design will significantly reduce the cognitive load and prevent at the same time.
- Provide almost instant feedback: these small animations can ensure users that their actions have been registered. When visitors choose to click on a certain button, the colors change, and the immediate feedback maintains their trust and prevents additional actions. The feedback can also be implemented with the loading icon that communicates the loading time on a page and ensures that users are patiently waiting for it to load. The perfect interaction example is the animation from pressing a website button, or it can be the loading icon that plays an important role for users. This can be extremely useful in login pages.
- Make the interactive design stand out: in a field where websites and apps are released every day, it’s important to add subtle but meaningful elements that set your product apart from the competition. Your competitors might indeed offer similar products or services, but what convinces users is the navigation experience and the overall interaction with your website or app.
Microinteractions are functional animations that give an immediate response to make the interfaces feel more human and intuitive at the same time. When designed and implemented correctly, they significantly improve usability and guide users through the website or app design.
1. Understand the user’s problems
Probably the most important aspect is to first discover and understand the user’s problems and navigation behavior. You can collect their feedback through different surveys and interviews in order to find out what they need in a website or app design. This way, you will be able to create and develop a website and app design that fulfills their needs and keeps them engaged.
2. Design for a certain purpose
Keep in mind that every small animation should assist a certain function. Ask yourself what the goal is for a specific microinteraction. This way, you can determine if it is created to provide feedback, help with the website navigation, or prevent potential errors.
3. Make it quick and almost undetectable
Microinteractions should not disrupt the user's navigation experience, so it is preferable to be short and natural. So, it’s crucial to avoid those slow and distracting animations. Instead, choose one that is able to mimic the natural user’s movements and actions when navigating on a website or app.
4. Create them to be consistent with the brand’s personality
Microinteractions should have a style that matches the brand’s identity. For example, a banking app has more subtle and calm small animations to gain the user’s trust. On the other hand, an app designed for kids will surely have more animated and colorful micro interactions.
Keep in mind that even if they are small and unnoticeable, they have a great impact and can differentiate your website or app from the competition. Make sure to create and implement them correctly in order to attract users and keep them engaged when navigating.
Remember that small details always make a huge difference, so even if your interactive design seems complete at first glance, think about how visitors will interact with it!
We at uinkits understand the importance of great user experiences and creating amazing UI designs. That’s why we’ve developed a Figma UI Kit with design components that include these essential UI elements that enable you to design intuitive and user-friendly interfaces effortlessly.
“You press the button, we do the rest.” – Kodak.
Inspired by this iconic tagline from Kodak, we believe in simplifying the design process for you. Our Figma UI Kit, uinkits, is a complete design system with UI components that allows you, as a UI UX designer, to create your products as quickly as pressing a button.
Our design system includes UI components, icons, variables, cards, buttons and everything you need for your design process. All you have to do is take your UI design component needed, and you’re ready to use it in your designs!
