Interaction Design

Overview

Interactions are the moments when your interface comes alive. They're the transitions between states, the feedback when users take action, the animations that guide attention. When done well, interactions are invisible—they feel natural and right. When done poorly, they distract or confuse.

This skill teaches you to think about interactions systematically: understanding animation principles, designing intentional microinteractions, providing clear feedback, and ensuring performance and accessibility.

Core Methodology: Microinteractions

A microinteraction is a small, contained interaction that accomplishes a specific task. Examples: button hover state, form validation feedback, loading spinner, success notification, menu open/close.

The Anatomy of a Microinteraction

Every microinteraction has four parts: