Micro-Interactions

A micro-interaction is a moment. A checkbox that draws its checkmark. A heart that pulses when liked. A toggle that eases into place with a little overshoot. A confetti burst on completing a goal. These moments are small in duration — 200–600ms — but they communicate that the product was made by people who cared.

The reference is always the natural world. Nothing in nature snaps instantly. Everything has weight, momentum, and a moment of settling.

What Makes a Good Micro-Interaction

A micro-interaction earns its place when it:

1. Confirms an action — makes the result of a click, tap, or input unmistakably clear
2. Rewards a milestone — celebrates something the user worked toward
3. Reveals something — unfolds information in a way that aids understanding
4. Adds texture — makes an otherwise flat moment feel physical and real

It fails when it:

• Delays the user (animation blocks the next action)