Using Components in Figma
Key Concepts
- Creating Components
- Editing Components
- Using Instances
Creating Components
Components in Figma are reusable elements that can be duplicated and modified without losing their original properties. To create a component, select the element you want to turn into a component and click the "Create Component" button in the toolbar. This action creates a master component that can be reused throughout your design.
Think of a component as a blueprint for a building. Once you have the blueprint, you can build multiple structures (instances) based on it, each with the same basic design but with the flexibility to make individual modifications.
Editing Components
Editing a component allows you to make changes that will be reflected across all instances of that component. To edit a component, double-click on any instance of the component, and Figma will open the master component for editing. Any changes made here will automatically update all instances of the component.
Imagine you have a set of identical doors. If you decide to change the color of the doors, you only need to paint the master door (component), and all other doors (instances) will automatically update to the new color. This ensures consistency and saves time.
Using Instances
Instances are individual copies of a component that can be placed throughout your design. Each instance can have its own unique properties while maintaining a connection to the master component. To create an instance, simply drag the component from the Assets panel onto your canvas.
Think of instances as individual buildings constructed from the same blueprint. Each building can have its own unique features, such as different paint colors or window styles, but they all share the same basic structure defined by the blueprint (component).
Examples and Analogies
Consider a button component in a website design. You create a button component with specific styles (e.g., color, size, text). You can then place multiple instances of this button throughout your design, each with the same basic style but with the ability to customize text or position individually.
Imagine a logo component for a brand. You create the logo as a component and place instances of it on various pages of your website. If you need to update the logo, you only need to edit the master component, and all instances across the site will update automatically.
By mastering components and their instances, you can create efficient, consistent, and scalable designs in Figma. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that your design remains cohesive and easy to manage.