Build an Amazing Interactive Accordion in Figma
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Building the Headlines
- Creating the Icon Placeholder
- Setting the Headline Size
- Adding Text Content
- Wrapping Elements in Auto Layout
- Styling the Accordion
- Adding a Divider Line
- Styling the Icon and Background
- Creating Gradients for the Accordion Background
- Making the Accordion Component
- Setting Up Interactivity
- Stacking Multiple Accordions
- Conclusion
Introduction
In this article, we will learn how to Create a responsive and interactive accordion element using Figma. An accordion is a UI component that can be clicked to open and close, revealing additional content. We will go through the step-by-step process of building this accordion, including creating the headlines, setting the sizes, adding text content, styling the accordion, and adding interactivity. By the end of this tutorial, You will have a fully functional accordion component that you can use in your own designs.
Building the Headlines
To start, we need to create the headlines for our accordion. Select the text tool and choose a suitable font, such as Avenir. Create a text box and enter the headline text. Adjust the font size to make it more prominent, for example, 18 pixels. Next, use the frame tool to create a placeholder for the arrow icon that we will create later. Set the Dimensions of the placeholder to 30 pixels.
Creating the Icon Placeholder
To create the arrow icon placeholder, select the ellipse tool and draw a circle with a diameter of 24 pixels. Set the fill color of the circle to yellow (#FFFF00). Then, using the pen tool, draw an arrow Shape within the circle. The arrow should be black with a stroke width of 2 pixels. Make sure to position the arrow in a visually appealing way.
Setting the Headline Size
To ensure that the headlines react to changes in width, we need to wrap them in an auto layout. Select both the headline text and the icon placeholder and press Shift + A to wrap them in an auto layout. Name this auto layout "Headline and Icon." Make sure that the width setting for the headline is set to "Fill Container." Also, adjust the spacing between the headline and icon elements to zero.
Adding Text Content
Copy the text content that you want to display in the accordion. Create a new text box with the same width as the headline and icon elements. Fill in the Contents of the text box with the copied text. Choose an appropriate font size for the text, such as 12 pixels.
Wrapping Elements in Auto Layout
To ensure that the text content reacts to changes in width, we need to wrap it in an auto layout. Select both the headline and text content elements and press Shift + A to wrap them in an auto layout. Name this auto layout "Accordion." Set the width setting for both the headline and text content to "Fill Container." This ensures that when the width of the accordion is modified, the elements inside react accordingly.
Styling the Accordion
To style the accordion, we need to set the margins to 20 and add a fill color. Choose a dark gray fill color for the accordion. Set the text color to white so that it stands out against the dark background. Adjust the font weight if needed to ensure readability.
Adding a Divider Line
To visually separate the headline and icon section from the text content section, we can add a divider line. Using the pen tool, draw a horizontal line within the accordion. Set the color of the line to light gray. Place the line above the text content so that the two sections are clearly distinguished.
Styling the Icon and Background
To make the accordion visually appealing, we'll style the icon and background. Adjust the size of the icon placeholder to 24 pixels. You can also add a subtle gradient to the background of the accordion. Choose a gradient that transitions from yellow to cyan for a pleasing effect. Additionally, you can add a shadow to the icon to make it appear as if it is glowing.
Creating Gradients for the Accordion Background
To create gradients for the accordion background, select the yellow color and choose the radial gradient option. Experiment with different gradient settings to achieve the desired effect. Keep the gradients subtle, almost invisible, to maintain a clean and professional look.
Making the Accordion Component
Once the visual design is complete, we can turn the accordion into a component to make it reusable. Select the accordion and go to the "Prototype" tab. Create a variant for the component, naming it "Open" and "Closed" to represent the two states of the accordion. Set up the interaction so that when the accordion is clicked, it changes to the open state, revealing the text content. Clicking it again should change it back to the closed state, hiding the text content.
Setting Up Interactivity
To ensure interactivity, set up the click interaction for the headline and icon auto layout. When this area is clicked, it should trigger the change in state from open to closed, and vice versa. Use the "Smart Animate" animation option to provide a smooth transition between the two states. Set the duration of the animation to 200 milliseconds for a quick and responsive experience.
Stacking Multiple Accordions
If you want to use multiple accordions in your design, you can stack them inside an auto layout. This will ensure that the accordions below the active one are pushed down when it expands. Simply duplicate the accordion component and place them one below the other inside an auto layout. The auto layout will Take Care of positioning and spacing, creating a seamless layout of multiple accordions.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully created a responsive and interactive accordion component using Figma. You have learned how to build the headlines, style the accordion, and add interactivity. By following the step-by-step guide, you can easily implement accordions in your own designs and enhance the user experience. Feel free to experiment with different styles and variations to make the accordion component fit your specific design requirements.
Highlights:
- Learn how to create a responsive and interactive accordion element using Figma
- Build the headlines and additional text content
- Style the accordion background and icon
- Add interactivity for opening and closing the accordion
- Stack multiple accordions inside an auto layout for a seamless layout
FAQ:
Q: Can I use custom fonts for the headlines?
A: Yes, you can use any font available in Figma to style the headlines according to your design preferences.
Q: How can I change the colors of the accordion background and icon?
A: Simply select the respective elements and modify the fill colors in the properties panel. You can choose any color you like to match your design.
Q: Can I customize the duration of the open and close animation?
A: Yes, you can adjust the duration of the animation by changing the value in the interaction settings. Experiment with different durations to find the desired effect.
Q: Is it possible to have multiple accordions on the same screen?
A: Absolutely! You can stack multiple accordions inside an auto layout to create a list of expandable sections. This allows users to interact with multiple accordions independently.