• Definition: Microinteractions are small, single-purpose moments in a product (e.g., button animations, notifications, loading indicators) that respond to user actions.

• Attention & Feedback: They provide immediate, understandable feedback that confirms actions or signals errors, reducing uncertainty and cognitive load (Nielsen, 1995).

• Emotional Connection: Subtle motion, sound, or personality can create delight and humanize interfaces, increasing positive affect and perceived value (Norman, The Design of Everyday Things).

• Learnability & Efficiency: Consistent microinteractions teach affordances and expected outcomes, speeding task completion and lowering friction.

• Perceived Performance: Well-designed microinteractions smooth transitions and mask latency, making systems feel faster and more reliable.

• Habit Formation & Retention: Positive small moments reinforce usage patterns and can boost long-term engagement through satisfaction loops (Eyal, Hooked).

• Pitfalls: Overuse or inconsistent microinteractions cause distraction, increased load time, or annoyance; they must be purposeful and accessible.

References: Don Norman, The Design of Everyday Things; Jakob Nielsen, Usability Heuristics; Nir Eyal, Hooked.