Questions in: Figma

✅ Benefits of Figma:

1. Cloud-Based – Access files anywhere without installing software.

2. Real-Time Collaboration – Multiple users can design together live (like Google Docs).

3. Cross-Platform – Works on Windows, Mac, Linux (via browser).

4. Auto Save & Version History – No need to manually save or manage versions.

5. Easy Sharing – Share links with view/comment access instantly.

6. Built-In Prototyping – No need to switch apps for interactive flows.

7. Community Plugins & Templates – Free access to thousands of resources.

1. Frame Sizes

• Use Figma’s preset frames:

  • Mobile: iPhone 14, Pixel 7, etc.

  • Desktop: 1440×1024 or custom widths.

2. Layout Grids

• Mobile: Simpler grid (e.g., 4–column).

• Desktop: More complex grids (e.g., 12–column) for flexible layouts.

3. Constraints

• Set constraints for responsive behavior (e.g., text stays pinned to the left or center resizes with screen).

4. Component Responsiveness

• Design components to adapt for both screen sizes using Auto Layout and Resizing properties.

5. Breakpoints

• Create separate frames for each breakpoint (e.g., mobile, tablet, desktop) to visualize responsiveness.

6. Touch vs. Click

• Mobile: Larger tap targets, consider thumb reach.

• Desktop: Hover states, smaller targets possible.

7. Typography & Spacing

• Mobile: Slightly larger fonts, tighter layouts.

• Desktop: More white space, larger layouts.

🔁 1. Understand the Current Feature

• Review the existing UI and user flows.

• Gather feedback from users, stakeholders, and analytics.

📝 2. Define the Problem

• Identify pain points or usability issues.

• Clarify business and user goals for the redesign.

🧱 3. Wireframe Solutions

• Create low-fidelity wireframes in Figma.

• Explore layout and interaction improvements.

🎨 4. Design High-Fidelity Screens

• Use design system components for consistency.

• Apply visuals, spacing, and typography.

🔗 5. Prototype Interactions

• Use Figma’s prototyping to connect flows.

• Add transitions and interactions to simulate real usage.

✅ 6. Review & Test

• Share with stakeholders and conduct usability tests.

• Iterate based on feedback.

📦 7. Developer Handoff

• Organize frames, name layers, and mark specs.

• Use Figma’s inspect panel for CSS values and assets.

Planning & Foundation

• Define design principles and goals (e.g., consistency, scalability).

• Establish core styles: colors, typography, spacing, grids.

2. Create Style Libraries

• Set up global styles: text, color, effects, and grids.

• Build tokens like spacing scales, font sizes, and elevations.

3. Build Components

• Design UI components: buttons, forms, cards, nav bars, etc.

• Use auto layout and constraints for responsiveness.

• Name layers/components clearly and semantically.

4. Organize Files

• Structure into separate pages or files: “Foundations”, “Components”, “Templates”.

• Use naming conventions and folders to group components logically.

5. Use Variants

• Create variants (e.g., Button: Primary, Secondary, Disabled).

• Helps with consistent interaction and swapping in designs.

6. Publish and Share

• Use Figma’s Team Library to publish components and styles.

• Version components with clear descriptions.

7. Document Usage

• Create a reference or documentation page explaining how to use each component with examples and dos/don’ts.

8. Maintain & Update

• Collect feedback from team.

• Regularly audit for unused/duplicate components.

• Update consistently while keeping backward compatibility in mind.

• Color Contrast: I use plugins like “Contrast” or “Able” to ensure text and UI elements meet WCAG contrast ratios (typically 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text).

• Text Sizes: I maintain a minimum font size of 16px for body text and use consistent typographic hierarchy for clarity.

• Accessible Color Palettes: I design with colorblind-friendly palettes and avoid using color as the only means of conveying information.

• Keyboard & Focus States: I include visual focus indicators (like outlines) in interactive components to support keyboard navigation.

• Semantic Structure: I label components clearly and use consistent naming to help developers implement ARIA roles where needed.

• Testing with Simulators: I sometimes simulate grayscale or color blindness using Figma plugins to validate the design’s accessibility.

During a product redesign project, I created a high-fidelity Figma prototype for a new onboarding flow. Before presenting, I prepared key user scenarios and added interaction links to simulate real navigation. In the stakeholder meeting, I guided them through the prototype using Figma’s Present mode, highlighting how the new flow improved usability and reduced steps.

I also kept a version history for feedback iterations. Stakeholders appreciated the clarity and interactivity, which helped speed up approvals and align everyone on design direction. It was a great example of using Figma not just for design, but also for effective communication.

• Consistent naming: Use clear, descriptive names (e.g., btn-primary, nav-header, hero-image).

• Layer grouping: Organize layers into logical groups/frames (e.g., Header, Footer, Modals).

• Use prefixes: Add prefixes like icon/, img/, or txt/ for quick filtering.

• Frames over groups: Prefer frames for layout control and responsiveness.

• Component naming: Include usage context (e.g., Card/Product, Card/Service).

• Color coding: Use layer colors for categories (optional but helpful).

• Delete unused layers: Keep the file clean and lightweight.

• Real-time collaboration: Everyone can view and comment directly on designs.

• Design reviews: Share prototypes for feedback and iteration.

• Component libraries: Ensure consistent design across teams.

• Dev Mode: Developers can inspect designs, copy CSS/code, and export assets.

• Annotations: Add notes for functionality or interactions.

• Version history: Track changes and revert if needed.

• Clear naming & structure: Helps everyone find what they need quickly.

• Use consistent naming for layers, frames, and components.

• Organize pages (e.g., Wireframes, Design, Components, etc.).

• Create a design system with reusable components and styles.

• Use Auto Layout for responsive, structured designs.

• Label variants clearly (e.g., Button/Primary/Hover).

• Add specs, spacing, and annotations as notes or callouts.

• Share with Dev Mode enabled so developers can inspect easily.

• Keep versions clean with only final designs for handoff.

• Wireframing

  • Start with low-fidelity frames using basic shapes and text.

  • Use components for reusable elements like buttons or navbars.

  • Keep layout simple and focus on structure and content flow.

• Prototyping

  • Switch to “Prototype” tab.

  • Link frames using interactions (e.g., “On Click” → “Navigate To”).

  • Set transitions (instant, dissolve, smart animate).

  • Test flows using the “Present” mode.

Plugins in Figma are third-party tools that extend Figma’s functionality to automate tasks, enhance design, or integrate with other platforms.

Commonly used plugins:

1. Icons8 – Access free icons.

2. Unsplash – Insert free high-quality images.

3. Content Reel – Add sample text, avatars, and data.

4. Autoflow – Create flowchart connections.

5. Stark – Check accessibility (contrast, color blindness).

6. Figmotion – Add animations.

7. Spelll – Spell checker for your designs.

To use Version History in Figma:

1. Open the file you want to view.

2. Go to the menu → click File → Show version history.

3. A sidebar appears showing saved versions by date and editor.

4. Click a version to preview it.

5. To restore, click “Restore this version” at the top.

Figma auto-saves versions, but you can also create named versions manually via File → Save version.

To manage a Design System in Figma:

1. Create a separate Design System file.

2. Use styles for colors, text, and effects.

3. Build components and organize them with clear naming and variants.

4. Apply Auto Layout for responsiveness.

5. Publish as a team library to reuse across projects.

6. Document usage within the file for consistency.

7. Update regularly and manage version changes.

Boolean operations in Figma are tools that combine shapes in different ways to create complex vector graphics. The four main types are:

1. Union – Combines all selected shapes into one.

2. Subtract – Removes the top shape from the bottom one.

3. Intersect – Keeps only the overlapping area.

4. Exclude – Removes the overlapping area and keeps the non-overlapping parts.

Figma’s Prototyping features let you create interactive flows by:

1. Connecting Frames: Use the prototype tab to drag a connection from one frame or element to another.

2. Setting Triggers: Choose how the interaction starts (e.g., on click, hover, or while scrolling).

3. Defining Actions: Pick what happens—navigate to another frame, open an overlay, scroll to, etc.

4. Animation Options: Apply transitions like dissolve, smart animate, or instant.

5. Testing: Click the “Present” button to preview the prototype in action.

In Figma, you use Constraints and Resizing to make designs adapt to different screen sizes:

• Constraints control how layers behave when the frame resizes (e.g., stick to left/right, center, or scale).

• Resizing options let components grow/shrink proportionally or stretch to fit content.

Together, they help create flexible, responsive layouts.

In Figma:

• Component: The main design element you create to reuse (like a master button).

• Instance: A copy of that component used in your designs. It reflects changes made to the main component unless overridden.

In Figma, for large projects, organize using:

• Pages for sections (e.g., Wireframes, Final UI)

• Components in a shared library

• Consistent naming (e.g., btn/primary)

• Styles for colors, text, and effects

• Frames and sections to group related screens
  This keeps everything easy to find and update

Organize Figma by using pages (e.g., Design, Components), shared libraries, clear naming, consistent styles, and grouping with frames/sections. Keep files tidy by project or feature.

Figma is a browser-based design tool for UI/UX that allows real-time collaboration. Unlike Sketch (Mac-only) and Adobe XD (desktop), Figma works on any OS, requires no installation, and supports multiple users editing together live