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Foundations of Figma Lecture: Basics of Variables

Jul 1, 2024

Foundations of Figma Lecture: Basics of Variables

Introduction

  • Speaker: An Mea, a teacher in design and AI
  • Course: Foundations of Figma (10-lecture series)
  • Focus: Understanding and Using Variables in Figma (Lecture 5)
  • Context: Figma course, not a UX design course
  • Prerequisites: Completed Lecture 1 (Basics), Lecture 2 (Frames and Auto Layout), Lecture 3 (Styles and Libraries), and Lecture 4 (Components and Variants)
  • Free UX design course available at learn.in
  • Upcoming AI meetups in Delhi (2nd December) and Hyderabad (3rd December)

Today's Syllabus

  1. Introduction to Variables: Explanation and necessity of variables
  2. Types of Variables: Different types and their use cases
  3. Practical Examples: Applying variables in simple prototypes

Module 1: Understanding Variables

  • Variables Definition: A new feature to store and reuse values in Figma
  • Design Tokens: Concept of referencing colors in a UI system (e.g., blue 100, UI primary 1)
  • Limitations of Styles: Cannot create multi-level references; variables solve this
  • **Benefits of Variables: Multi-level connections for values, Storing beyond basic types (e.g., strings, numbers), Easy theme switching, Responsive design ease, Language localization
  • Common Mistake: Confusing variables as a mere replacement for styles**

Module 2: Types of Variables

  1. Color Variables: Used to store color values with multi-level referencing and scoping options (fill, text, stroke)

    • Creating Color Variables: Navigate to local variables and create new color variables
    • Scoping Colors: Restrict use of certain colors for specific purposes
    • Example: Creating a light and dark theme with multi-level referencing using color variables.

  2. Number Variables: Used to store numeric values (e.g., pixel sizes for radii, widths, heights, gaps)

    • Creating Number Variables: Allow for consistent numeric values across a design system
    • Example: Consistent corner radius for popups, sizes, and other UI elements.

  3. String Variables: Used to store text strings, words, or phrases.

    • Creating String Variables: Store and reuse text across multiple components
    • Example: Uniform heading across different UI components

  4. Boolean Variables: Used for true/false values, mainly in prototyping (e.g., visibility toggles)

    • Creating Boolean Variables: Store on/off values
    • Example: Toggle visibility of elements in prototyping

Module 3: Practical Examples

  • Setting Variables in Prototyping: Use variables to change values on interactions
    • Example: Increment/decrement view count on button click
    • Usage: Use set variable and conditional actions for prototyping advanced features

Additional Notes

  • Collections and Groups: Organize variables into collections and groups for better management
  • Modes: Enable theme switching (e.g., light and dark themes) within variables
  • Scoping Variables: Control where variables can be used (fills, text, stroke)
  • Difference Between Styles and Variables: Variables offer multi-level referencing, numerical and string storage, aliasing, and scoping
  • Recommended Resources: Figma Variables documentation, practical exercises on Figma Community files

Conclusion and Next Steps

  • Importance of engagement: Support with likes and comments to release next lecture
  • Homework: Document learnings, recreate components with variables, review Figma’s documentation
  • Upcoming Lecture: Design Systems
  • Reminder: Continue the overall UX and design documentation journey for better understanding and career advancement

Additional Resources

  1. UX Design Career Roadmap
  2. Insider Tips for Getting a UX Design Job
  3. Learn Notion for Documentation
  4. Ultimate 2023 UX Case Study Guide
  5. Learn UI UX and How to Prompt Websites
  6. Spatial Design Course

Remember to engage with the content, practice, and tag the instructor on social media for feedback!

Full transcript