Introduction to Figma

Overview

• Speaker: Kevin
• Topic: Learning how to use Figma, a powerful collaborative design tool
• Objectives: By the end of the session, you'll be able to design, prototype, and collaborate on interface designs in Figma

Getting Started

• Access Figma:
  • Visit the website through provided links (affiliate links)
  • Create a free account
• Initial Setup:
  • Enter your name and work type (e.g., freelancer, teammates)
  • Optionally invite collaborators
  • Choose the starter plan (free)
  • Optionally use FigJam for whiteboarding sessions
• File Browser:
  • Recent files, drafts (personal sketches), and team projects
  • Create new files, import files, and set favorites

Design Basics

• Frames:
  • Analogous to artboards
  • Create using the frame tool with shortcuts
  • Predefined sizes for different devices
• Panning and Zooming:
  • Use hand tool, middle mouse button, space + left mouse button, two fingers on track pad
  • Control key + mouse wheel for zooming
  • Fitting content with Shift + 1
• Renaming Layers:
  • Double-click to rename for better organization
• Pages:
  • Useful for organizing different screen sizes or app versions
• Backgrounds & Fills:
  • Image backgrounds with fill options (crop, fit, tile)
  • Add and customize shapes

Working with Text

• Adding Text:
  • Insert text, customize font size, and color
  • Text effects like drop shadows for better visibility
• Auto Layout:
  • Create responsive design elements with consistent spacing and padding

Components and Constraints

• Components:
  • Convert design elements into reusable components
  • Changes in components flow through all instances
• Constraints:
  • Define how objects resize across different device sizes
  • Use constraints for responsiveness (top, bottom, left, right, center, scale)

Adding Images and Shapes

• Images:
  • Insert images and use masks to shape content
• Shapes:
  • Combination of different shapes (rectangle, ellipse, pen tool) to create icons and other elements

Prototyping

• Creating Prototypes:
  • Use Prototype view
  • Define starting point, link buttons to different frames
  • Configure transitions (instant, dissolve, move in/out)
• Testing and Sharing:
  • Play button to test the prototype
  • Share prototypes with team members for feedback

Collaborative Features

• Comments:
  • Add comments for team feedback
  • Resolve or discuss comments within the design
• Exporting Designs:
  • Export individual frames or complete designs as PNG or PDFs

Summary

• Figma offers powerful tools for designing, prototyping, and collaborating
• Multiple features support responsiveness and reusability (components, constraints)
• Sharing and feedback functionalities streamline collaborative workflows

Next Steps

• Practice designing in Figma with the learned tools and techniques
• Explore additional Figma tutorials for advanced designs