7-2 Prototyping Basics in Figma
Key Concepts
Prototyping in Figma allows designers to create interactive mockups that simulate the user experience of a digital product. Here are the main concepts:
- Frames: The basic building blocks for creating prototypes.
- Layers: Individual elements within a frame that can be linked together.
- Links: Connections between frames that simulate user interactions.
- Interactions: Actions that occur when a user interacts with a link, such as navigating to another frame or triggering an animation.
- Triggers: Events that initiate interactions, such as clicking, hovering, or scrolling.
- Animations: Visual effects that enhance the user experience, such as transitions and fades.
- Preview: Testing the prototype to ensure it behaves as expected.
1. Frames
Frames are the basic building blocks for creating prototypes in Figma. Each frame represents a screen or a section of a screen in your design.
Detailed Explanation
To create a frame, click the "Frame" tool in the toolbar or press "F" on your keyboard. Then, drag to create a frame on the canvas. You can nest frames within other frames to create complex layouts.
Example
Imagine designing a mobile app. Each screen of the app would be represented by a frame. For example, the home screen, settings screen, and profile screen would each be separate frames.
2. Layers
Layers are individual elements within a frame that can be linked together to create interactive prototypes. These can include buttons, text, images, and more.
Detailed Explanation
To create a layer, simply draw an element within a frame. You can then select the layer and use the right panel to adjust its properties, such as color, size, and position.
Example
Consider a button on a home screen. The button would be a layer within the home screen frame. You can link this button to another frame to simulate a user clicking on it.
3. Links
Links are connections between frames that simulate user interactions. They allow users to navigate from one frame to another when interacting with a layer.
Detailed Explanation
To create a link, select a layer and click the "Prototype" tab in the right panel. Then, choose the destination frame from the dropdown menu and set the interaction trigger.
Example
Imagine a navigation menu on a website. Each menu item would be a layer with a link to the corresponding page frame. When a user clicks a menu item, they navigate to the linked frame.
4. Interactions
Interactions are actions that occur when a user interacts with a link. These can include navigating to another frame, opening a URL, or triggering an animation.
Detailed Explanation
In the "Prototype" tab, you can set the interaction type for a link. Common interaction types include "Navigate to," "Open Overlay," and "Scroll to."
Example
Consider a modal window that appears when a user clicks a button. The button layer would have an interaction that triggers the modal frame to open as an overlay.
5. Triggers
Triggers are events that initiate interactions. Common triggers include clicking, hovering, and scrolling.
Detailed Explanation
In the "Prototype" tab, you can set the trigger for an interaction. Common triggers include "Click," "Tap," "Hover," and "Scroll."
Example
Imagine a tooltip that appears when a user hovers over a button. The button layer would have a trigger set to "Hover" that initiates the tooltip interaction.
6. Animations
Animations are visual effects that enhance the user experience. They can include transitions, fades, and other motion effects.
Detailed Explanation
In the "Prototype" tab, you can set the animation type for an interaction. Common animation types include "Dissolve," "Move," and "Smart Animate."
Example
Consider a card that flips over when a user clicks it. The card layer would have an interaction with an animation set to "Flip" that creates the flipping effect.
7. Preview
Previewing the prototype allows you to test the user experience and ensure that all interactions and animations behave as expected.
Detailed Explanation
To preview the prototype, click the "Present" button in the top-right corner. This opens the prototype in a new window where you can interact with it as a user would.
Example
Imagine testing a mobile app prototype. By previewing the prototype, you can navigate through the screens, click buttons, and see how the interactions and animations work in real-time.
By mastering these 7-2 Prototyping Basics in Figma, you can create interactive and engaging prototypes that simulate the user experience of your digital products, making your design process more efficient and effective.