The trend emerged from mobile design where tactile feedback helps compensate for the lack of physical buttons. But it's now everywhere because users have been trained to expect it. Interfaces without motion feedback feel dated and unresponsive, even if they function perfectly.

The challenge is doing micro-animations well. Too slow and they feel laggy. Too fast and they're jarring. Too many and they become distracting. The sweet spot is subtle, purposeful, and consistent—animation that enhances without demanding attention.

We're seeing micro-animations evolve beyond simple state changes. Context-aware animations that adapt based on user behavior. Physics-based interactions that feel natural. Personalized animation speeds based on user preferences. The future of UI motion is smarter, not just prettier.