Master Figma Design: Part 2 of 4

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Building Low Fidelity Wireframes
   • Using Tools and Adjusting Layer Properties
   • Creating Higher Fidelity Designs
3. Introducing Color and Typography
   • Emphasizing Precision and Accessibility
   • Exploring Figma's Design Process Features
4. Building the Home Page of a Social Media App
   • Creating the Feed Layout
   • Setting Margins and Dimensions
   • Using Grids for Alignment
   • Adding Round Corners and Avatars
   • Adding Images and Text Layers
   • Creating Styles for Text and Color
   • Using Auto Layout for Design Reflow
5. Creating Components and Styling Icons
   • Turning Card Designs into Components
   • Creating Icons with Basic Shapes and Pen Tool
   • Implementing Boolean Operations
   • Creating a Navigation Bar Component
6. Floating Action Button and Presentation View
   • Adding a Floating Action Button
   • Customizing the Button's Design and Shadow
   • Previewing Designs in Presentation View
   • Adding Device Frames and Scrolling Behavior
7. Conclusion and Next Steps

Building High Fidelity Designs with Figma

In this article, we will explore the process of building high fidelity designs using Figma. We will start by discussing the importance of wireframes and how they can be used to Create more polished designs. Then, we will Delve into the various features and tools available in Figma for adjusting layer properties and creating higher fidelity designs.

1. Introduction

Building high fidelity designs is an essential step in the design process. It allows designers to Visualize the final product and make accurate design decisions. Figma, a popular design tool, provides a range of features that make it easy to create high fidelity designs.

2. Building Low Fidelity Wireframes

Wireframes serve as the foundation for high fidelity designs. In this section, we will explore how to use tools and adjust layer properties in Figma to create wireframes that accurately represent the final design.

2.1 Using Tools and Adjusting Layer Properties

Figma offers a variety of tools that allow users to create wireframes efficiently. These tools include the frame tool, which helps in creating frames of desired dimensions. Additionally, Figma provides settings to adjust the appearance of layers, such as corner radius and dimensions.

2.2 Creating Higher Fidelity Designs

Once the wireframes are created, it is time to build upon them to create higher fidelity designs. This involves adding color and typography to the elements and placing more emphasis on precision and accessibility. Figma provides a wide range of color options and typography settings to help designers achieve the desired look.

3. Introducing Color and Typography

Color and typography play a significant role in visual design. In this section, we will explore how to use color and typography effectively in Figma to enhance the visual appeal and accessibility of our designs. We will also explore the various features of Figma that speed up the design process.

3.1 Emphasizing Precision and Accessibility

Precision is crucial in design to ensure elements are placed accurately and consistently. Figma offers features like layout grids and alignment tools to achieve precise layout and spacing. Additionally, by selecting appropriate color schemes and adjusting the contrast of text, designers can enhance the accessibility of their designs.

3.2 Exploring Figma's Design Process Features

Figma provides several features that speed up the design process. These features include auto layout, which allows designs to reflow and adjust automatically when content changes. We will explore how to make use of these features to optimize our design workflow.

4. Building the Home Page of a Social Media App

In this section, we will Apply the concepts learned so far to build the home page of a social media app using Figma. We will go through each step of the design process, including setting margins, using grids for alignment, adding images and text layers, and creating styles for text and color. We will also explore how to use auto layout for design reflow.

4.1 Creating the Feed Layout

The home page of our social media app will feature a feed that displays posts from the pets users follow. We will start by creating the frame for the feed and setting the dimensions Based on the device We Are designing for.

4.2 Setting Margins and Dimensions

To ensure proper spacing and alignment, we will set margins and dimensions for each element within the feed. This will help create a visually appealing and organized layout.

4.3 Using Grids for Alignment

Grids are a powerful tool in design that help maintain consistent spacing and alignment. We will explore how to use grids in Figma to achieve precision and consistency throughout our design.

4.4 Adding Round Corners and Avatars

To match the fun and friendly brand of our app, we will add round corners to our elements. We will also incorporate avatars for user profiles, making the design more engaging and personal.

4.5 Adding Images and Text Layers

Next, we will add images to our design using the "Place Image" feature in Figma. We will also create text layers for displaying the names and descriptions of the posts.

4.6 Creating Styles for Text and Color

To save time and maintain consistency, we will create styles for text and color. These styles can be easily applied to other layers, ensuring a Cohesive design throughout the app.

4.7 Using Auto Layout for Design Reflow

Auto layout is a powerful feature in Figma that allows designs to adjust automatically when content changes. We will explore how to use auto layout to make our design responsive and adaptable.

5. Creating Components and Styling Icons

Components in Figma enable reusability and consistency across designs. In this section, we will convert our card designs into components and explore how to create custom icons using basic shapes and the pen tool.

5.1 Turning Card Designs into Components

By turning our card designs into components, we can easily reuse them throughout our app. Components in Figma are editable and update all instances simultaneously, saving time and effort during the design process.

5.2 Creating Icons with Basic Shapes and Pen Tool

Icons are an integral part of any app design. We will leverage Figma's tools, such as basic shapes and the pen tool, to create custom icons for our navigation bar. These icons will enhance the visual appeal and usability of our app.

5.3 Implementing Boolean Operations

Boolean operations allow us to combine shapes and create complex icons. We will explore how to use boolean operations in Figma to create icons that fit our design requirements.

5.4 Creating a Navigation Bar Component

The navigation bar is an essential component in any app design. We will create a navigation bar component in Figma using the icons we have created earlier. This component will provide users with easy navigation and enhance the overall user experience.

6. Floating Action Button and Presentation View

In this section, we will add a floating action button (FAB) to our design and explore the presentation view in Figma. The FAB will allow users to create new posts in our app, while the presentation view will enable us to preview our designs in a browser-like environment.

6.1 Adding a Floating Action Button

The floating action button (FAB) is a prominent UI element that serves as a call to action. We will add a FAB to our design using the components we have created earlier. This button will provide users with a seamless way to create new posts in our app.

6.2 Customizing the Button's Design and Shadow

To make our FAB visually appealing, we will customize its design and add a drop shadow. Figma provides options to adjust the appearance of UI elements, allowing us to create a button that stands out from the rest of the content.

6.3 Previewing Designs in Presentation View

Presentation view is a powerful feature in Figma that allows us to preview our designs in a browser-like environment. We will explore how to use presentation view to view and Interact with our designs, making it easier to spot any inconsistencies or usability issues.

6.4 Adding Device Frames and Scrolling Behavior

To make our prototype look more realistic, we can add device frames to our designs in presentation view. We will also customize the scrolling behavior to ensure that only the feed section scrolls while the navbar and FAB remain fixed.

7. Conclusion and Next Steps

In conclusion, Figma provides designers with a comprehensive set of tools and features for building high fidelity designs. By following the steps outlined in this article, You can create visually appealing and functional designs using Figma. Next, you can proceed to create an interactive prototype, share it with your team, and incorporate their feedback into your final designs.

Highlights

• Building high fidelity designs is crucial for visualizing the final product and making accurate design decisions.
• Figma offers a range of features and tools for building high fidelity designs efficiently.
• Wireframes serve as the foundation for high fidelity designs and can be created using Figma's tools and layer adjustment properties.
• Color and typography play a significant role in enhancing the visual appeal and accessibility of designs, and Figma offers various options to customize these aspects.
• Auto layout is a powerful feature in Figma that allows designs to adjust automatically when content changes, saving time and effort.
• Components in Figma enable reusability and consistency across designs, and icons can be created using basic shapes and the pen tool.
• Boolean operations in Figma allow for the combination of shapes, creating complex icons and design elements.
• Presentation view in Figma allows for the previewing of designs in a browser-like environment, aiding in the identification of inconsistencies and usability issues.
• Device frames can be added to prototypes in presentation view, creating a more realistic representation of the final product.
• Sharing interactive prototypes and incorporating feedback from team members are crucial steps in the design process.

FAQ

Q: How can I create wireframes in Figma? A: To create wireframes in Figma, you can use the frame tool and adjust layer properties such as dimensions and margins. Figma provides a range of tools and settings to help you create wireframes efficiently.

Q: Can I customize the color and typography in Figma? A: Yes, Figma offers a wide range of color options and typography settings to customize the appearance of your designs. You can select color schemes, adjust contrast for accessibility, and explore various typography properties.

Q: How does auto layout work in Figma? A: Auto layout in Figma allows designs to reflow and adjust automatically when content changes. This feature is particularly useful for accommodating longer text strings, adding new layers, and maintaining alignment as your design evolves.

Q: Can I create custom icons in Figma? A: Yes, you can create custom icons in Figma using basic shapes and the pen tool. Figma provides various tools and settings to help you create intricate icons that match your design requirements.

Q: How can I preview my designs in a browser-like environment? A: Figma's presentation view allows you to preview your designs in a browser-like environment. This feature is particularly useful for presenting slides, running usability tests, and creating interactive prototypes.

Q: How can I incorporate feedback from my team members in Figma? A: You can share your interactive prototypes with your team members using Figma's collaboration features. They can leave comments, make suggestions, and provide feedback directly within the Figma editor.