Why Micro‑Interactions Matter
Micro‑interactions are the small details in a product that accomplish a single task—like toggling a setting, saving a change, or liking a post. While subtle, they shape how polished and intuitive your app feels.
Delight is in the details. Thoughtful motion can make complex interfaces feel effortless.
Principles of Delightful Motion
- Purposeful — motion should clarify, not distract.
- Contextual — animations reflect the physical model of the UI.
- Responsive — fast enough to feel instant, slow enough to be readable.
Useful Interaction Patterns
Here are a few patterns you can apply today:
- Hover hints to preview actions.
- Press feedback to signal affordance.
- Empty states that invite action.
Timing & Easing
Use shorter durations (120–240ms) for small UI changes, and moderate easing like cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.8, 0.2, 1). Reserve longer durations for transitions that change layout or context.
Pro tip: Design motion first in wireframes. If it works without color and images, you know the motion is doing real UX work.
Accessibility Matters
Respect prefers-reduced-motion. Provide clear focus states and avoid motion that could trigger vestibular issues. Always keep core tasks accessible with or without animation.
Wrapping Up
Micro‑interactions won’t fix a broken flow, but they will elevate a solid experience into something memorable. Start small and ship improvements iteratively.
