Design elements can genuinely make a difference in our experiences, even when we’re enjoying the great outdoors. Take trail markers, or ‘markacije’ as we call them in Slovenia. They’re like little guides when you’re lost in the mountains, easing your concerns about potentially encountering a cute little bear or being abducted by Bigfoot (well, maybe that’s overstating it, but they do provide a level of comfort).
Without trail markers, we’d be wandering around like a vulnerable snack in a wild animal’s territory, arguing with our hiking friends about whose idea it was to turn left at one of the crossroads.
Well-placed trail markers provide us with a sense of direction and peace of mind while exploring the outdoors, allowing us to fully appreciate the beauty of nature without the fear of encountering Bigfoot, who likely doesn’t care about the markers anyway?!
In the digital world, microinteractions play a similar role. They’re like the gentle guidance that helps us navigate through a website or app, allowing us to complete tasks more efficiently and without too many hitches. From a delightful animation that brings a smile to our faces to a well-timed notification that saves us from potential embarrassment, microinteractions can turn a challenging experience into a pleasant one.
Through my work in the gambling industry creating secondary lotteries, live lotteries and other money buy, buy products, I have come to understand the critical importance of microinteractions. In these products, even the slightest change in sound or animation can drastically alter the user’s experience. A well-designed microinteraction can make the difference between a frustrating and an enjoyable experience, leading to higher user engagement and satisfaction.
As a passionate believer in the importance of user testing, I know that making adjustments and changes to microinteractions based on feedback and results can lead to a better user experience and higher engagement. By constantly monitoring and iterating on microinteractions, we can improve the product even more, making it more intuitive and enjoyable to use. Don’t be afraid to test, adjust, and test again – it’s a crucial part of the design process and can make all the difference in creating a successful user experience.
Of course, there is a big BUT. It is important to keep in mind that once users become familiar with a certain sound or animation, or any other microinteraction, it becomes part of their user experience and changing it may have unintended consequences. For example, a notification sound on Viber that a message just arrived or a toaster success notification informing a user that everything is just fine and dandy, changing those could potentially confuse or even irritate users. Therefore, designers should carefully consider the potential impact of any changes to microinteractions before implementing them, and user testing can help to identify any potential issues or negative impacts before they become a problem.
We should always consider how to weave these tiny elements into our work. Whether it’s in the great outdoors or in the digital world, well-thought-out microinteractions can contribute significantly to creating a positive and enjoyable experience.
So the next time you’re exploring the mountains or interacting with a digital interface, pay attention to those subtle design elements that can enhance your experience and help ensure your safety in the great outdoors. And remember to keep testing and iterating on microinteractions to improve the user experience even further.
If you’re struggling to create microinteractions that meet the needs and expectations of your users, don’t worry – you’re not alone. This is not a promotion of my services, and I’m not offering you time and knowledge in exchange for money. I just want to say that you are really, really not alone 😉
Good luck, and remember: if all else fails and when in doubt, just add more flashing lights, loud squealing sounds, and annoying pop-ups (please don’t).