If a business wants people to use their application or software or visit and interact with their website, it must have an appealing, easy-to-use interface. The user interface is the medium that delivers the all-important first impression.
And the way to have an excellent interface is to design one, and the easiest way to design one is to have access to a great design tool.
That’s why we’re here today. This article highlights Figma, including how it works, how to use Figma for web design, and how to utilize it to create different elements. We’ll also share online UI UX training that provides practical experience with this powerful design tool.
So, before we show you how to use Figma for UI design, let’s first get acquainted with it.
What is Figma?
Figma is a popular collaborative interface design tool that enables you to create designs for web and mobile interfaces or other sorts of designs you can think of. Figma is designed as a collaboration tool for individuals and teams to develop and share high-quality work.
You can use Figma to design interfaces and animate transitions, prototype interactions, animate vectors with timeline-based animations, add multiple artboards, add live previews during editing (and publish your changes), and add commenting and feedback features, all in real-time.
Now, let’s get into how to use Figma.
Also Read: A 2024 Guide to UX UI Design Companies
How Do You Use Figma?
Before you start using Figma to design a website or an app, you must set up an account. Activate your web browser and visit Figma’s home page. Click “sign up” in the page’s upper right corner.
Now, enter your chosen e-mail address, create your password and enter your name when asked to. After clicking “create account,” you must confirm your e-mail before entering Figma.
Choose the starter (free) or professional (paid) plan and enter your team name. You can just enter your own name if you want. The page will then ask you if you’re going to create designs with the standard Figma app or if you wish to use FigJam, the online whiteboarding tool. If you click “I’ll get started on my own,” it will take you straight to Figma’s main dashboard.
Click “team project” under your selected team name on the page’s left-hand navigation bar. This action takes you to the project’s page. Click “new design file” in the upper left corner to create your first design. If you’re using the latter, this will open a new tab in the upper nav bar of your browser’s window or Figma’s desktop app. You can easily click back to the home menu at any point.
You will see a large, gray area in your blank design screen; this is your canvas, and it’s the background for everything you subsequently do, things like:
- Importing desired images any way you want
- Adding geometric shapes
- Drawing with the pencil tool
- Adding multiple frames, allowing you to make multiple designs on one canvas
- Combining layers with Groups and Frames
- Creating vector networks
- Using the Text tool to make the designs textual as well as visual
- Using object masks to control what’s hidden and what’s visible
- Using the Arc and Ellipse tools to change shapes
- Using Boolean operations to combine shape layers using whatever method you want
That was a brief overview of how to get started with Figma. Now, let’s look at how to use Figma for UI design.
How To Use Figma for UI Design
Figma is a web-based user interface creation tool that features an intuitive interface and a library of components, including shapes, symbols, and components that cover most of your design needs. And if you can’t find what you want in Figma’s library, you can upload your designs and place them inside the prototype. You can even search through the diverse resources and plugins of the design community to help make the design process more manageable.
Figma’s interface revolves around real-time collaboration, so it’s perfect for keeping all your design team members on the same page. Additionally, Figma uses vector graphics instead of pixels, so you can resize items without sacrificing quality.
Let’s continue learning how to use Figma by exploring website wireframe creation.
How to Create Website Wireframes
If you’re learning to use Figma for web design, you must understand how to create website wireframes. Website wireframes map out your new website design’s main features and navigation. They give an idea of the site’s functionality before considering visual design elements like content or color schemes. Wireframes are also called screen blueprints and page schematics. You’re visually mapping out your website’s navigation and features.
The simplest way to begin making wireframes is by downloading Figma’s free wireframe kits. You will find templates for page features, buttons and cards, hero images, web social posts, footers, and more. But if you prefer the more “hands-on” approach, you can use Figma’s built-in drawing and shaping tools and create your wireframes.
Also Read: Top UX Designer Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers and Experienced in 2024
How to Add Images in Figma
Adding images is easy. You can place images from an online source or your own machine on your page. Images are vital to website design, particularly for the hero section. Here’s how you do it:
- Drag and drop the desired image from your local computer or import an image from the shapes image upload option
- Resize and place the image directly on the design
How to Create Shapes in Figma
Why limit yourself to just standard images? Use Figma’s shapes and elements to create circles, lines, squares and more. For example, here’s how to make a square. Just follow these easy steps:
- Select the Square Shape tool
- Create the square
- Shape and size it
How to Add Text to Your Design in Figma
To place text in your design, choose the text tool and position the text on the page. The font defaults to Roboto, but you can easily change the font family, size, and color at any point.
- Select the Text tool
- Add “About” text at the beginning of the navigation
- Ensure it’s rendered in your desired color, size, and font
How to Create Groups and Label Elements in Figma
If you have multiple layers in Figma, it can get confusing. Label all your elements as soon as you create them to avoid confusion. Consider grouping different shapes and sections with labels like “Navbar” or “Initial Hero Background.”
- Pick your element(s), right-click on the group, or press Ctrl + G
- Name your group
- To improve readability, place groups inside groups for each page section once your page gets too large
What is a Prototype?
Prototypes in website design are interactive web page designs where you can click on buttons, hover over links, etc. You can use Figma prototypes to preview exactly how a mobile app will look and work on a given device.
Figma’s website has detailed tutorials that show how to create prototypes.
Also Read: How to Conduct Usability Testing for UI/UX Design
How to Use Figma Offline
Although Figma is a browser-based program, it can still be used offline. The only difference is that you have access to every feature. To start, connect to the Internet. Yes, to work offline, you first need to get online! Don’t worry; it will all make sense eventually.
Once you’re online, open the file you wish to work on. Log off from the Internet. Any changes you make to your file offline will be stored and synced when you reconnect to the Internet. This save function happens whether you’re using Figma’s desktop app or on your browser.
While you’re offline, you will be unable to do these things:
- Use Figma’s file browser
- Create new files
- Open files other than the ones you currently have open
- Search for or insert instances or components from libraries
- Install new plugins or run Internet-dependent plugins
However, you still can do things like:
- Create frames, shapes, vector networks and similar items
- Insert images you already saved to your computer
- Modify each layer’s properties
- Run plugins that don’t depend on the Internet
- Save your design files to your computer’s hard drive
How to Install Figma Plugins
If you discover that Figma doesn’t have a particular functionality or feature, browse through the plugin library. There’s a strong chance that someone created a plugin that does exactly what you hoped for.
To search for plugins while working on your design, right-click the canvas and choose “browse plugins in community.” Doing this will open a separate tab where you can browse plugins. You will find that there’s a plugin for just about everything.
Once you find the plugin you want, click the “install” button. This button is located to the right of each listed plugin in the Figma website community section.
Do You Want to Master UI and UX?
Figma is a great user interface design resource, but do you know what compliments it perfectly? By acquiring a solid set of UI UX design skills! This UI UX bootcamp will teach you the skills needed to help you achieve better design results and even start an exciting career as a UI designer.
Glassdoor.com shows UI designers earning an average annual salary of $91,195, with a potential boost of $98,988 when factoring in bonuses.
The world needs more apps, web pages, and professionals to design them! Check out this online bootcamp to learn how to use Figma and much more.
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