Using Components and Variants in Figma

Key Concepts

• Components
• Variants
• Master Components
• Instance Components
• Overrides
• Properties
• State Management
• Reusability

1. Components

Components are reusable elements in Figma that allow designers to maintain consistency across different design elements. By creating a component, you can ensure that changes made to the master component are reflected across all instances, saving time and effort.

Think of components as LEGO blocks. Just as LEGO blocks can be reused in various combinations to build different structures, components can be reused to create different design elements.

2. Variants

Variants are a way to create different versions of a component while maintaining its core structure. This allows for easy customization and flexibility in design. Variants can include different states, sizes, or styles of a component.

Consider variants as different outfits for the same character. Just as a character can wear different outfits while still being recognizable, a component can have different variants while maintaining its identity.

3. Master Components

Master Components are the original versions of components from which all instances are derived. Any changes made to the master component will be reflected in all instances, ensuring consistency across the design.

Think of master components as the blueprint of a building. Just as a blueprint guides the construction of a building, a master component guides the creation of all instances.

4. Instance Components

Instance Components are copies of the master component that can be placed throughout the design. Instances inherit properties from the master component but can also be customized independently.

Consider instance components as the actual buildings constructed from a blueprint. Just as buildings can be modified while still following the blueprint, instances can be customized while still inheriting from the master component.

5. Overrides

Overrides allow you to change specific properties of an instance without affecting the master component. This provides flexibility in design while maintaining the integrity of the master component.

Think of overrides as customizations to a standard product. Just as a car can have different paint colors while still being a car, an instance can have different properties while still being an instance of the master component.

6. Properties

Properties are the attributes of a component that can be customized, such as color, size, and text. By defining properties, you can create more flexible and reusable components.

Consider properties as the features of a product. Just as a product can have different features, a component can have different properties that can be customized.

7. State Management

State Management involves creating different states of a component, such as hover, active, and disabled states. This allows for more interactive and dynamic designs.

Think of state management as the different modes of a device. Just as a device can have different modes, a component can have different states that change its appearance and behavior.

8. Reusability

Reusability is the ability to use components and variants multiple times across different designs. This saves time and ensures consistency, making the design process more efficient.

Consider reusability as the ability to recycle materials. Just as recycling reduces waste and saves resources, reusability reduces design time and ensures consistency.

Examples and Analogies

Imagine designing a button component for a website. The master component could be a standard button with a blue background and white text. Variants could include different sizes (small, medium, large) and styles (primary, secondary). Instances of the button could be placed throughout the design, with overrides allowing for different text or colors. Properties could define the button's size and style, while state management could create hover and active states. Reusability ensures that the button can be used in multiple pages, maintaining consistency and saving time.

Think of components and variants as the building blocks of a design. Just as building blocks can be combined in various ways to create different structures, components and variants can be combined to create different design elements, ensuring consistency and efficiency.