The Secret to a Great UI: The Importance of Microinteractions
Tags: design, ux, ui, uiweekly
Published: 2023-01-24 23:07:28

Today we'll talk about something that may seem small but has a big impact on user experience: microinteractions. Have you ever wondered why one app feels more satisfying than another? Chances are microinteractions have something to do with it.


## What are microinteractions?
Microinteractions are small actions that the user performs in an interface, such as clicking a button, swiping a finger on a screen, or viewing a notification. These interactions often have visual or auditory feedback to indicate that the action has been successful.

A microinteraction occurs when, for example, we press the "submit" button on a form, such as loading, and hear a confirmation sound indicating that the message sent successfully. 


## Why are microinteractions important?
Microinteractions are significant because they help improve the user experience by providing feedback on the user's actions. Without these interactions, the user might not be sure if their action succeeded or failed.  

Additionally, can also improve usability by providing visual cues on how to interact with the interface. For example, a button that changes color when the user hovers the mouse over it visually indicates that it is interactive.

When a user acts on an interface, it's important to give them feedback to confirm that their action was successful. That may include confirmation animations, such as a message appearing on the screen or a loading animation, and sounds, such as a beep or chime. This type of feedback helps to improve the user's experience by providing a sense of completion.

## 5 ways to elevate your UI Design with Microinteractions


### 1. Show system status
![Progress Bar for uploading and downloading](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/y21o9wujfd9s1h2o2weu.gif) _Source: Dribbble.com_

One of the [usability principles for a good UI Design](https://dev.to/alexruix/10-usability-principles-for-a-good-ui-design-16jn) is to keep the user informed about what is happening. When users trigger an operation, they expect to get an immediate response. But there are situations when an app needs some time to complete an operation. So, the interface should keep the user enlightened about what is happening, this may include a load interaction.

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### 2. Visual cues for interaction
![Dark mode and light mode UI animation](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7kkpr0a9716s1xtm7zf8.gif) _Source: Dribbble.com_

Providing visual cues for interaction can significantly improve the usability of an interface. For example, when a user clicks on the "night mode" button, the button changes color to indicate that it's activated. Visual feedback of this type helps the user understand that night mode is enabled.

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### 3. Improving usability with tactile cues
![Feedback on button press](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ysnsk8mypjzpvq0eg1hj.gif) _Source: Snappymob.com_

Tactile cues can also improve the usability by providing feedback through touch or haptic vibrations. For example, a button growing in size or vibrating when a user touches it indicates that the action has been registered.

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### 4. Use animated feedback
![To do list UI micro interactions](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/qzrlxvz927jw7c9l9z08.gif) _Source: Dribbble.com_

Animation can enhance the user experience by providing a fun and engagement feel. For example, when a user completes a task, a checkmark or a tick appears on the screen, making the experience more enjoyable. Using transitions can also help to guide the user through the interface and make it more engaging by providing feedback through movement.

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### 5. Avoid unwanted interactions.
![blob fly across the screen](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pslvz128wdi1149xrw8h.gif) _Source: Dribbble.com_

When designing microinteractions, we always make sure the visual cues and animations are appropriate. Many designers attempting to make UI more delightful overload UIs, often creates too complex interactions. The later can be seen in the example above— it’s a beautiful but not really valuable interaction.

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###Other tips to keep in mind
- Microinteractions make it easy for users to interact with a system.
- Microinteractions should be efficient and not distract or bore the user.
- Understanding the user and context improve the effectiveness of microinteractions.
- Microinteractions should be able to withstand prolonged use without becoming annoying.

In summary, microinteractions are small but powerful elements of UI design that can significantly improve the user experience. They provide feedback and cues, improving the overall usability of an interface. When designing a user interface, it's critical to include microinteractions and test them with real users to ensure a positive experience.