The smallest things can often make the biggest difference. - That's exactly what happens with microinteractions — or even micro-animations.
What exactly is behind it? It's these small but functional animations that are on websites or in apps be used to make them appear more lively and also to make them easier to use.
But they can do so much more! These tiny animations give digital products a “human touch” and provoke emotions.
Microinteractions have a huge impact on your user experience — and for a number of reasons. On the one hand, they touch your emotions, awaken feelings and add a personal touch to your interaction with digital products.
In addition, they also fulfill important technical functions:
1. Feedback communication: They tell you that something is happening, for example when you click a button. This clear feedback confirms your actions and keeps you up to date.
2nd Facilitation of individual tasks: For example, you're using an app for the first time and don't know where to start. Microinteractions, such as gently pulsing the menu icon, show you the way. They guide you to the important things and make them super easy to use.
3rd Communication of system changes & progress: When you take part in a survey, you might see a bar that fills up. This is not only visually appealing, but also informative. It motivates you to finish the task and gives you a sense of progress.
These microinteractions can be individually designed to match the language of a company or its corporate identity. As a result, they not only create a smooth interaction, but also a strong connection between you and the product or brand.
I'm sure you know some microinteractions, even if you haven't consciously identified them. From snazzy buttons with feedback to animated loading screens to simple swipes — they're everywhere! These small details make it so much more pleasant, high-quality and interactive to use.
Here are some of the most common types of microinteractions:
1. Scroll bar: When you scroll through a page, you see it — the little bar that shows you where you are right now.
2nd Buttons with feedback: There are often buttons that light up or change color when you hover over them - this is a hover state that signals that the button is ready to be clicked.
3rd “Pull to refresh”: In many apps, you can simply drag the page down to refresh it.
4th Skeleton Screens: When you load a page and only see the basic framework before the content loads — that's a skeleton screen. It gives you the feeling that something is happening in the background and your patience is rewarded when the rest of the page appears.
5th Loading screens and loaders: When you launch an app and see a loading screen, or a small spinning icon that tells you that something is happening in the background — these are loading screens and loaders. They show you that the app is active and ready to be used.
6th Error messages: Sometimes things go wrong and you get an error message. Not only is it informative, but it's also a micro-interaction that tells you that you should review something.
7. Dropdowns: In drop-down menus, you can choose from a variety of options. If you click on it and the list appears, it will be easier for you to navigate.
8th Progress/progress display: This is the display that you see when you go through a lengthy process, such as a file transfer - it tells you how far you are.
And don't forget:
Reactions such as “Like”/“Like”: On social media or chat applications, you can express your approval or enthusiasm with just one click. It's not just a simple gesture, it's also a micro-interaction that shares your feelings.
It's all about triggers, rules, feedback, loops & modes. It is a sophisticated interplay that takes place during Development of an app or website is set — here is how it works:
1. Trigger — initiates the action: Microinteractions are initiated by triggers, and these are always earmarked. A trigger can come from you, for example when you move your cursor over a button, or from changes in the system status.
2nd Rules — specify the process: In the background, rules determine the course of the interaction. You learn these rules by interacting. They help you understand what happens when you take a specific action.
3rd Feedback — confirmation of action: Visual feedback is like confirmation of your actions. It lets you know what's happening as a result of the trigger.
Here's an example: If you drag the top of the screen down on your phone, the page reloads. That's feedback for your action.
4th Loops & modes — duration & development of the action: Loops and modes set the meta rules for microinteractions. These overarching rules describe how the animated interaction should change or be repeated over time.
Here's a quick example: Imagine you see the animated “Buy Now” button next to a product. As soon as you add a unit of the product to the shopping cart, the button changes to “Buy another one.” It's a loop that tells you how long the interaction takes and how it changes over the course of the purchase.
Did you know that our brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than plain text? And when it comes to saving content, videos and animations perform even better than static graphics and images. This is primarily due to the emotions that are aroused when watching moving images.
Now the question is: How can we use these findings to User Experience to improve? Micro-animations are not only visually appealing but also extremely effective when it comes to conveying information. Through targeted use, they not only create an emotional connection to the product, but also convey complex information in an easy-to-understand way.
An animated explanation for a product can be absorbed much better. The movement and the associated emotions make it much easier for you to understand and retain the information.
Well-designed microinteractions are therefore not only an aesthetic highlight, but also a good tool for inspiring users and binding them to the product. They not only make the interaction more informative, but also more human and emotional. So it's not just eye candy, but a targeted strategy!
Microinteractions offer a variety of benefits that take the user experience to a whole new level.
1. Instant feedback for the user: You click on a button and immediately see a reaction — that's instant feedback.
2nd Guidance within the application: Microinteractions show you the way. They help you understand where you are in the application and how to navigate.
3rd Helps build trust between app and user: When you see that your actions are recognized and confirmed, you build trust in the application. Microinteractions create this basis of trust.
4th The user always knows what's happening: Thanks to microinteractions, you always stay informed. You understand what actions you are taking and what reactions they evoke — this provides clarity.
5th Supports understanding, especially with complex interfaces: In complex applications, microinteractions help you keep track of things. They make complex processes understandable and accessible.
6th Failure prevention: Microinteractions are true heroes in error prevention. They show you clearly when a setting has been saved successfully and prevent accidental cancellations or unwanted changes.
Microinteractions are often implemented in the form of Lottie files. These files are great because they offer many benefits:
- Can be used on almost any platform, even without code: Whether it's a website or an app — Lottie files can be used flexibly.
- They have a small file size, they load quickly without affecting the performance of websites or apps.
- Can be scaled without sacrificing quality
- Easy to deploy and edit
Conclusion? Microinteractions not only improve your user experience, but also make your brand shine. They significantly upgrade apps or websites by improving the user experience and are easy to implement. There is therefore nothing wrong with this and all the more in favour of using microinteractions more intensively.
Do you want to talk to our team about your project and just hear what we could do for you? Then simply book a free video call with us now!
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