When users interact with a product, it’s not just the main features they notice — it’s the little things. A subtle animation when submitting a form, a satisfying haptic click, or a smart tooltip that appears at the right moment. These are called microinteractions, and they often define how polished and usable a product feels.

Think of microinteractions as the “glue” between states. They help users understand what just happened, what’s happening now, and what will happen next. For example, when a "Save" button gives a quick success checkmark animation, it removes uncertainty. The user feels in control. That moment, while tiny, builds trust.

Well-designed microinteractions are:

• Purposeful: They provide clear feedback or guide the user

• Subtle: They enhance the experience without distracting

• Consistent: They follow the tone and pace of the overall UI

I’ve seen products go from “feels okay” to “feels amazing” just by adding thoughtful microinteractions. In this post, I’ll break down the anatomy of great microinteractions, show tools I use to prototype them, and share real-world use cases from past projects. If you're looking to elevate your UI from functional to delightful, this is where to start.