Many interactions are intense and short: filling in that web form, editing a presentation, sending an instant message. 

However, these short bursts of interaction are normally set within far longer patterns that may last days, weeks or years.  That web form may be a registration for a conference, the presentation your contribution to the event and the instant message some last minute checkin of details. 

Examples of long-term interactions include:

• Use of social media
• Shopping sites
• Online courses
• Support applications for physical courses
• ATMs and banks

To be honest pretty much everything!

The vast majority of practical advice and methods for interaction and user experience design is focused on the short phases of direct interaction such as filling out that web form, but it is often the things that happen between, in the gaps, that are most critical in ensuring that the entire long-term activity is successful.

Acknowledgements

Header image: “Plant a Sapling for Better Future” By Robbieross123 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,