Interaction-focused
interfaces, a major trend in web design 2016 helps deliver a more
intuitive and rewarding user experience across web and mobile apps.
So what are
Microinteractions?
The Facebook like button,
Microsoft’s Start button, Hamburger Menu, instances when you tap to
mute your phone, set a status message, indicator that informs how
much time is left while reading Medium or an eBook on Kindle, or when
you rate an app are all examples of microinteractions. From websites,
mobile apps to the latest new craze of wearable like Samsung Gear,
Apple watch and fitness trackers, micro-interactions are the current
flavor of the season.
Success with
Microinteractions:
The secret of success with
microinteractions lies both in the design and in the performance.As the name suggest,
microinteractions is any task based engagement with a device. These
brief and effortless interaction focused interfaces that make the
life of a user easier. However they offer tremendous mileage in
taking the user engagement to the next level. They make the website
experience more entertaining, engaging and intuitive.Designed to work in a
variety of environments that neither acts as an obstruction nor
demands detailed explanation, the importance of microinteractions
cannot be over-emphasized.In his recent book
‘Microinteractions – Designing with Details’, the author Dan
Saffer reveals that microinteractions follow a four-step process
Source:
Microinteractions - Designing with Details
Do you too want to make
the most of this reigning web design trend of microinteractions? Here
are 5 steps to use microinteractions help make UI more human and
deliver a rewarding UI:
Simplicity – Keep it
Simple Stupid:
Less is more in
microinteractions. In fact too much of features or functionality can
be lethal and make it complex. Probably users may even refrain from
using it. Remember the age-old adage - Simplicity is the ultimate
sophistication. Simple colors, simple designs and simple content
together go a long way in achieving the result.
Fast Response Time:
Microinteractions are
expected to be fast and effective so ensure that they offer a faster
turnaround of action by being precise. Delay in execution or a
sluggish speed is likely to annoy users.
Handle with Care:
The small pieces of
functionality that make up microinteractions stand out for their
attention to detail. These must be fine-tuned and polished constantly
to work surprisingly well each time.
Show System Status to
Keep User Informed:
Constantly
deliver feedback to the user by keeping the user informed of the
progress. In line with the heuristic principle, this drives
engagement and also doesn’t leave the user curious as to what’s
happening.
Use a human voice:
Conversational tone works
best and therefore your content should be human and the copy should
match the human emotion. The comfortable and lighthearted human voice
helps to keep users engaged.
Microinteractions are
small but they can make or break your design to make the net product
feel high-quality and well-designed.
