microinteractions

Microinteractions are small, contained interactions within a product interface that accomplish a single task or provide feedback about a system's state. They are typically triggered by user input or system events and are conveyed through subtle visual, tactile, or auditory responses that occur in response to actions such as pressing a button, toggling a control, or loading content.

A microinteraction usually involves four elements: a trigger that starts the interaction, a set of rules that define the behavior, feedback that communicates the result to the user, and a hidden state change that records the system’s status.

The purpose of microinteractions is to clarify actions, indicate progress or results, reinforce the product’s feel, and reduce cognitive load by making interfaces feel responsive and predictable. When well designed, they can guide behavior without distracting from tasks and can add a sense of polish or delight.

Examples include button press animations, a check mark appearing after task completion, a subtle shake for invalid input, or a pull-to-refresh spinner. More complex variants may involve multi-step feedback like a progress indicator that transitions into a success state.

Design considerations include consistency with platform conventions, appropriate timing and easing, and attention to accessibility and performance. Designers should respect motion sensitivity preferences and provide options for users who prefer reduced motion.

History and terminology: the term microinteractions was popularized by Dan Saffer in his 2013 book Microinteractions, though the concept appears in earlier interaction-design work. Evaluation is typically qualitative and quantitative, using usability testing and metrics such as task completion, time, error rate, and user satisfaction.