Interactive Design Elements

166 prompts later, my design system came alive. I did a little experiment in Figma Make: build a living design system, generated directly from my design system file. Most design systems document what components look like.  But behavior is harder to capture. Developers open the file, squint at the specs, and still end up guessing. I wanted to explore a different approach: To create a playground where motion is made reusable, testable, and systemic. Not as separate prototypes, but as part of the system itself. So I built a playground where you can: ● Interact with components and their animations ● Toggle dark mode, loadings, errors and disabled states ● Test accessibility with contrast and text scaling toggles ● Change brand colors globally in one click Not every designer is working with tools like Cursor or writing production code (yet), and that’s okay. This keeps everything in Figma, while still making interaction a tangible part of the process. I connected my design system to Figma Make and guided it with very specific prompts (with help from Claude). It took iteration but it also came with surprisingly useful suggestions I hadn't thought of. I used focus mode to refine details and push the output further. Then I got curious about something else: what do the developers actually need? So I sat down and asked them. Their answer: code in our exact stack. So I added a code inspector: click any component, get production-ready code (in this case Nuxt UI + Vue.js) including props, tokens, and structure. I think a static design system + a living one together create something stronger: clear documentation and a shared way to experience interaction. This is an experiment, not a finished product. But it already changed how my team works.  And made me curious about the next step: building the design system directly in code. No idea yet how that goes, but that's kind of the point. Curious how others are approaching this, are you still working with static systems, or moving toward something more interactive?

Can a micro-interaction make or break your user experience? The answer might surprise you. In the world of UX design, we often focus on the big picture – the overall layout, the color scheme, and the navigation flow. But what about those tiny, seemingly insignificant details? Micro-interactions—subtle animations, transitions, and feedback elements—are the unsung heroes of user experience. They might seem like minor embellishments, but they have a profound impact on how users perceive and interact with your product. Think about it: ✦ The Like animation on YouTube:  When you click the "Like" button, the thumbs-up icon animates with a subtle bounce and shoots sparkles/fireworks, providing visual feedback that your action was registered and acknowledged. This seemingly minor detail reinforces positive interaction and encourages further engagement with the platform. ✦ The "Pull to refresh" gesture in mobile apps:  This intuitive gesture allows users to refresh content with a simple downward swipe. The spinning wheel or animated icon during the refresh process indicates that the app is working, managing user expectations and preventing frustration from perceived delays. ✦ Hover effects on website navigation menus:  When hovering over a menu item, it might change color, slightly enlarge, or reveal a subtle underline. These visual cues signal interactivity, guiding users toward clickable elements and improving the overall navigation experience. These micro-interactions create a sense of responsiveness, feedback, and delight. They make your product feel alive, intuitive, and enjoyable to use. But here's the kicker: micro-interactions can also backfire. A clunky animation, a delayed response, or an unexpected transition can quickly turn a positive experience into a frustrating one. Users might not consciously notice these details, but they'll feel the difference in their overall experience. So, how can you harness the power of micro-interactions to create a truly delightful user experience? ✦ Be intentional: Every micro-interaction should serve a purpose. Use them to guide users, provide feedback, and create a sense of delight. ✦ Keep it subtle: Micro-interactions should enhance the experience, not distract from it. Avoid excessive animations or flashy effects. ✦ Test and iterate: Gather feedback from users to see how they perceive and interact with your micro-interactions. Refine them over time to ensure they're working as intended. The next time you're designing a product, don't underestimate the power of micro-interactions. They might seem small, but they can make a big difference in creating a truly memorable user experience. #uxdesign #motiondesign #microinteractions #userexperience #ui

🏷️ Badges vs. Pills vs. Chips vs. Tags. How they are different, what purpose they serve, and how to choose the right one ↓ ✅ We distinguish between static and interactive UI components. ✅ Badges are always static, but tags can be static or interactive. ✅ Badges relay status and updates (e.g. draft, new, pending, -7% ↘). ✅ Static tags show topics with keywords and labels (e.g. Accessibility). ✅ Interactive tags are often used for links, filters, selection, actions. ✅ Display tags ← visually represent data (keywords, labels, details). ✅ Data tags ← numerical data, reading time, file size (e.g. PDF 262 KB). ✅ Filter tags ← show active filters, with an option to remove and clear. ✅ Selection tags ← filter content and input information (chips/pills). ✅ Chips and pills are visual style conventions for interactive tags. 🚫 Don’t display non-interactive components as buttons. 🚫 Don’t display interactive components as static labels. ✅ Prefer adjectives or nouns for non-interactive tags. ✅ Use 48×48px as a min touch target size on mobile. ✅ Use at least 8px spacing between interactive elements. While there is quite a bit of confusion about the difference between all these variants, design systems typically distinguish between 2 of them — static indicators (usually badges, pills, data tags) and interactive links or buttons (usually action/selection tags, filter tags, chips). For feedback indicators, notification counts and status updates, we use badges. For interactive indicators and filters that can be edited or removed, we use tags — which are also sometimes called chips. They can also function as radio buttons or checkboxes. And most of the time, that’s all you really need. And: when naming these components, try to be as explicit as possible to avoid confusion down the line. “Filter tags” are more obvious than “filters” or generic “tags”. Also, “Status badges” are way more obvious than “badges” or “pills”. It should work for everyone — designers, engineers and end users — as long as static labels don’t look like interactive buttons, and the other way around. ✤ Badges/Tags in Design Systems: Cedar: https://lnkd.in/egyjaBuY 👍 GE: https://lnkd.in/e3H25gVK Gusto: https://lnkd.in/eHYUTTWC Queensland: https://lnkd.in/e5egfvY6 Kiwi: https://lnkd.in/eX5muakU ServiceNow: https://lnkd.in/e3pDg7s6 👍 Škoda: https://lnkd.in/eRtRG83t Uber: https://lnkd.in/eUXiV4Eh 👍 --- ✤ Useful resources: Designing A System For Badges, by Lukas Vilkus https://lnkd.in/eiPJ6scx Design System Dilemmas: Badges, by Dean Harrison https://lnkd.in/eq77T95E Guide To Chips and Badges, by Uxcel https://lnkd.in/ea7iiSve #ux #design

💡5 Alternatives to Dropdown in UI Design Dropdown is one of the most frequently used components in UI design. Yet, dropdown can introduce a few problems in interaction design. Dropdowns increase interaction costs, cognitive load, and accessibility challenges, especially on mobile devices or for users with disabilities. They hide options, making them less visible and harder to navigate, particularly with long lists. Here are 5 UI design alternatives to dropdowns: 1️⃣ Radio buttons When to use: When there are fewer options (typically 5 or less), and you want users to see all available choices at once. All options are visible at a glance, which reduces the interaction cost. It's easy to scan all available options and select the right one. 2️⃣ Toggle switches When to use: For binary choices (e.g., On/Off, Yes/No). They provide an immediate and clear visual representation of the selected state, making them intuitive for users. 3️⃣ Sliders When to use: For ranges or quantities (e.g., setting a price range, adjusting volume). Sliders provide a visual representation of the range, making it easier for users to understand and manipulate the values. 4️⃣ Segments When to use: For a small number of mutually exclusive options where each option is important. All options are visible, and users can select their choice with a single tap or click. 5️⃣ List with dynamic filtering When to use: For large lists where users might know the option they are looking for. Users can type to narrow down the list of options, which can significantly reduce the time to find the desired option. This is particularly effective for large datasets like country names or product lists. 📕 Guides and tutorials: ✔ Guide to using dropdown in UI design (by Tess Gadd) https://lnkd.in/dfQW5JZp ✔ How to design interactive dropdown in Figma (YouTube)  https://lnkd.in/dRxsFfbC 🖼 Dropdown cheatsheet by Tess Gadd #UI #uidesign #productdesign #design #uxdesign #userexperience

Why Responsive Spaces Are the Future of Experience Design Steven Mark Kübler’s Sound Paintings adapt to presence, movement, and even subtle rhythms like breath or heartbeat. This level of interactivity transforms art into a deeply personal experience. These principles are shaping how spaces can engage people, offering dynamic and memorable interactions. Key Principles Behind Sound Paintings Kübler’s approach highlights three important aspects of interaction design: - Agency and Control: People crave involvement. Interactive spaces offer more than observation; they let visitors shape the experience, fulfilling the expectations of a generation raised on gaming and participatory media. - Neuroscience at Play: Responsive environments activate natural instincts for exploration, focus, and problem-solving. Seeing a space react to input reinforces attention and heightens the sense of reward. - Collective Engagement: Shared experiences amplify enjoyment. Watching others interact with a space creates a ripple effect, sparking curiosity and a sense of community. What This Means for Retail, Hospitality, and Beyond Interactive art like Sound Paintings isn’t only for galleries. It sets a precedent for what’s possible in spaces where brands connect with people. - Retail: Imagine stores where displays shift based on customer movement, creating a journey through the space rather than a static environment. - Hospitality: Picture a hotel lobby that adjusts its lighting and soundscape based on the energy of its guests, creating comfort and intrigue in equal measure. Public Spaces: Consider installations that encourage collective play, building connections between strangers and transforming the atmosphere of entire neighborhoods. Takeaways for Designers and Brands - Interactive environments build stronger emotional connections, turning passive visitors into active participants. - Spaces that respond to movement, sound, or presence heighten focus and engagement. - Shared interactivity fosters community, leaving people with a sense of joy and belonging. Looking Ahead Kübler’s work demonstrates the power of responsive spaces to reshape engagement. These ideas provide a foundation for creating environments that are more interactive, meaningful, and aligned with how people naturally connect to the world around them. Younger audiences, shaped by gaming, expect to be part of the story. They want interaction, not observation~ storyliving over storytelling ~ conversations over lectures. Spaces that invite co-creation spark deeper connections and keep brands relevant in an interactive world. #art #inspiration #experiencedesign ---- (( Hi! Thanks for reading to the end ~ I'm Kristoff Doria di Cirie, an experience design consultant for retail and hospitality. Are you curious about turning dead spaces into thriving brand hubs? Learn more on my Substack or book a call through my profile. ))

Reflecting on content design: What I saw in 2024, and what I predict for 2025 2024 Recap: We’ve crossed a threshold of static design. While clean, I often find the experience uninspiring and monotonous. Design should be more than just pretty… it’s your first brand connection and should spark a two-way engagement. 2025 Prediction I see: Interactivity will become more essential. Interactive and dynamic design will not be just a *nice-to-have*, but a key part of the user experience. Businesses may need to migrate away from static assets and embrace animation, gamification, and immersive content.  What We’re Doing at Visme to make this happen: ✅ We’re creating a platform that allows brands to produce content that’s immersive for gamified learning, employee onboarding, and more. ✅ A place where you can make visuals that aren’t just seen, but felt. ✅ This includes creating material that can be fully experienced through hotpots, pop-ups, hover features, quizzes, and more that can be embedded into your documents or website. What design trend do you want to see more of in 2025?  #InteractiveContent #UX #InstructionalDesign

When teams need to move fast but still prioritize UX, flexible in-app elements can be a way to iterate without waiting on engineering bandwidth. For Eyeball Football Technologies, a platform built for football players, the goal was to make the homepage experience dynamic and responsive without long development cycles. Instead of building everything from scratch, they used interactive elements that could be updated instantly without engineering effort: 1/ Smart activation nudges to encourage players to sign up and unlock the full experience 2/ In-app stories to launch educational content—like key English phrases to help players communicate better across multilingual teams 3/ Season-based placeholders to keep players engaged while waiting for match data, ensuring a seamless transition when the season starts This approach let Eyeball refine their user experience on the go, ensuring players always had relevant, engaging content—without waiting on app updates. #appgrowth #userexperience #userengagement #nocode

Imagine walking into a company’s lobby and being instantly immersed in its brand story. Digital displays showcase innovations, interactive kiosks invite exploration, and art installations reflect core values. The aroma of fresh coffee and the presence of greenery create a welcoming ambiance. This isn’t just a waiting area; it’s an engaging experience that leaves a lasting impression. Investing in a compelling lobby experience makes a powerful statement about your brand. The Value of a Great Lobby Experience: • First Impressions: The lobby is the face of your company. A thoughtfully designed space can communicate professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail. It helps to create a welcoming atmosphere that can make visitors feel valued and comfortable. • Brand Representation: Your lobby is a perfect place to showcase your brand’s identity and values. From the colors and materials you choose to the artwork and displays, every element can reflect what your company stands for. • Customer Engagement: An interactive lobby can engage visitors right from the moment they walk in. This engagement can build a connection with your brand, making visitors more likely to remember and return to your business. • Employee Morale: A welcoming lobby doesn’t just benefit visitors. Employees also appreciate working in a well-designed space, which can boost their morale and pride in the company. Making Your Lobby Interactive and Reflective of Your Values: • Digital Displays: Use screens to display dynamic content like company news, project highlights, or client testimonials. This not only keeps the content fresh but also shows your company’s achievements and ongoing projects. • Interactive Kiosks: These can provide visitors with information about your company, its history, and its values. They can also be used for practical purposes like checking in or finding directions within the building. • Showcase Your Work: Display products, prototypes, or case studies that demonstrate what your company does best. This can be in the form of physical displays or digital presentations. • Art and Decor: Use art that reflects your company’s culture and values. This could include local artwork, pieces created by employees, or installations that represent your industry. • Comfortable Seating Areas: Create spaces where visitors can relax. Use comfortable furniture and provide amenities like charging stations, Wi-Fi, and refreshments. • Greenery and Natural Elements: Incorporating plants or natural materials can make the space feel more inviting and showcase a commitment to sustainability. • Interactive Elements: Think about adding elements like touchscreens, interactive maps, or even virtual reality stations where visitors can learn about your company in an engaging way. (Here are a few lobbies we're currently designing for a title company and a children's hospital.) Let's connect, dream and create together! justyn@storylandstudios.com PlainJoe Storyland Studios

“We need to break up the content.” “I threw in a drag-and-drop to keep it engaging.” “It’s just something to click.” Sound familiar? Here’s the thing - interactivity shouldn’t be decoration. It should be purposeful. The biggest mistake I see in eLearning? 👉 Adding interactions that don’t do anything for the learner. True interactivity should make them think. It should deepen understanding, simulate a decision, or reinforce recall. 🎯 Here’s how to shift from fluff to function: ✅ Replace “click to reveal” with a mini-scenario ✅ Use branching to explore real consequences of choices ✅ Add drag-and-drop only when it mirrors a real process or sequence ✅ Always ask: “What does this interaction help them learn or practice?” 💡 Remember: interaction isn’t engagement if it’s empty. Let’s design learning that’s active and meaningful. What’s your favorite example of an interactive element that actually improved learning? #InstructionalDesign #LearningExperienceDesign #eLearning #IDOLAcademy #EngagementWithPurpose #LXD