Using Components and Variants in Figma

Key Concepts

Using Components and Variants in Figma involves creating reusable design elements and managing their variations. This approach enhances consistency, efficiency, and scalability in your designs.

1. Components

Components in Figma are reusable elements that maintain a single source of truth. Any changes made to the master component automatically update all instances across your design. Think of components as digital Lego blocks that you can use to build complex designs quickly.

Example: If you are designing a website, you might create a Button component. This component can be used throughout the site, ensuring that all buttons have the same style and behavior. If you later decide to change the button color, you only need to update the master component, and all instances will reflect the change.

2. Variants

Variants are a way to create different versions of a component while maintaining a single source of truth. Variants allow you to define different states or options for a component, such as different sizes, colors, or functionalities. Think of variants as different flavors of the same ice cream, each with its unique characteristics but still fundamentally the same product.

Example: Continuing with the Button component, you might create variants for different button states, such as "Primary," "Secondary," and "Disabled." Each variant can have its own set of properties, like color and opacity, but they all share the same base structure. This ensures consistency while providing flexibility for different use cases.

3. Creating Components

To create a component in Figma, select the element you want to turn into a component, then go to the "Assets" panel and click "Create Component." This action creates a master component that you can reuse throughout your design.

Example: If you have a styled text box, you can turn it into a component by selecting it, clicking "Create Component," and naming it "Styled Text Box." You can then drag this component onto your canvas whenever you need a text box, and any changes to the master component will apply to all instances.

4. Creating Variants

To create variants, select the master component and go to the "Assets" panel. Click on the component and choose "Create Variant." You can then customize each variant by changing its properties. Variants are organized in a grid, making it easy to manage and switch between them.

Example: For the Button component, create a variant for the "Primary" state by selecting the master component, clicking "Create Variant," and changing the color to blue. Repeat this process for the "Secondary" state (color: gray) and the "Disabled" state (color: light gray, opacity: 50%). Now, you can easily switch between these states in your design.

5. Using Components and Variants

Once you have created your components and variants, you can use them throughout your design by dragging them from the "Assets" panel onto your canvas. To switch between variants, select the component instance and use the "Variant" dropdown in the "Inspector" panel.

Example: In your website design, place a Button component on the homepage. Use the "Variant" dropdown to select the "Primary" state for the main call-to-action button and the "Secondary" state for secondary buttons. This ensures a consistent and professional look across your site.