Interaction feedback should be subtle but clear, consistent, and designed for every input device.
Principles
Be subtle, but clear. Successful interaction feedback is informative, not decorative. Avoid elaborate transitions that create visual noise or intense color changes — distracting animation can make an interface unpleasant to use.
Keep things consistent. Consistent treatments for interaction feedback create recognizable patterns. If an interaction produces different feedback in different places, it deteriorates the pattern and risks confusing people.
Design for every input device
People interact with interfaces differently depending on the device they’re using. Design interaction states to work across all of them.
- Mouse
- Touch screen
- Keyboard
- Voice
- Game controller
- Refreshable braille display
Use signifiers
Provide cues about what the interface will do if people interact with it. Signifiers set expectations about what components can do, creating a more intuitive interface that’s easier to use.
Do
Give clear signifiers (hover, focus, pressed, disabled) so people know what’s interactive and what will happen.
Don’t
Leave interactive elements without visible state changes, forcing people to guess.