Interface Overview in Figma

Key Concepts

• Canvas: The workspace where you design your interface.
• Layers Panel: Displays all elements in your design, organized hierarchically.
• Toolbar: Contains tools for drawing, selecting, and manipulating elements.
• Properties Panel: Shows detailed settings for the selected element.

Canvas

The Canvas is your primary workspace in Figma. It’s an infinite, zoomable area where you can place and arrange your design elements. Think of it as a digital sheet of paper where you sketch out your interface. You can zoom in to work on fine details or zoom out to see the entire layout.

Layers Panel

The Layers Panel is like the table of contents of your design. It lists all the elements you’ve created, organized in a tree structure. This helps you keep track of your design components and understand their relationships. For example, if you create a button, you can see it listed under the “Buttons” group, making it easy to find and modify later.

Toolbar

The Toolbar is your toolbox in Figma. It contains various tools for drawing shapes, selecting elements, and applying transformations. Each tool is represented by an icon, and you can switch between them by clicking. For instance, the “Rectangle” tool allows you to draw rectangles, while the “Move” tool lets you drag elements around the Canvas.

Properties Panel

The Properties Panel is where you fine-tune your design elements. When you select an element on the Canvas, the Properties Panel displays its settings, such as color, size, and position. This panel is dynamic, meaning it changes based on what you’re working on. For example, if you select a text box, you can adjust its font, size, and alignment directly from this panel.

Examples and Analogies

Imagine you’re building a house. The Canvas is the plot of land where you lay the foundation. The Layers Panel is the blueprint that shows how all the rooms and components are connected. The Toolbar is your set of construction tools, from hammers to paintbrushes. The Properties Panel is the architect’s desk where you specify the exact dimensions, materials, and colors for each part of the house.

By understanding these key components, you can navigate Figma’s interface effectively and start creating professional-quality prototypes.