VOL. III · CH. 3.36 · COMPONENT
Micro-interactions
The small, often unnoticed feedback loops that make an interface feel alive and responsive.
1 min read · 117 words
3.36.1Definition & Anatomy
A micro-interaction is a small, contained response to a single user action — a hover state, a button ripple, a checkbox animation — providing immediate feedback that the system registered the input.
3.36.2Common Mistakes
- Missing feedback entirely on interactive elements, leaving users unsure whether an action registered.
- Overdesigned micro-interactions that draw more attention than the action itself warrants.
3.36.3Best Practices
- Provide some form of immediate feedback for every interactive element, however subtle.
- Scale the visual weight of the feedback to the significance of the action.
ExampleA "like" button's brief scale-and-color animation on tap confirms the action instantly, without requiring the page to reload or a separate confirmation message to appear.