Linking Frames and Pages in Figma

Key Concepts

Linking Frames and Pages in Figma is a powerful feature that allows designers to create interactive prototypes and navigate between different sections of a design. Here are the main concepts:

• Frames: Individual sections or screens within a design.
• Pages: Collections of frames that represent different sections or states of a design.
• Links: Connections between frames and pages that simulate navigation.
• Prototyping: The process of creating interactive designs that can be tested and shared.
• Hotspots: Clickable areas within a frame that trigger links.
• Transitions: Visual effects that occur when navigating between frames or pages.

1. Frames

Frames in Figma are individual sections or screens within a design. They are the building blocks of your prototype and represent different views or states of your application or website.

Detailed Explanation

To create a frame:

1. Select the "Frame" tool from the toolbar.
2. Draw a frame on the canvas.
3. Design the content within the frame.

Example

Imagine designing a mobile app. Each screen (e.g., home screen, settings screen) would be a separate frame.

2. Pages

Pages in Figma are collections of frames that represent different sections or states of a design. They help organize your work and make it easier to navigate between different parts of your project.

Detailed Explanation

To create a page:

1. Click the "+" button next to the Pages tab in the left panel.
2. Name the new page.
3. Add frames to the page as needed.

Example

Consider a website with multiple sections (e.g., homepage, about page, contact page). Each section would be a separate page in Figma.

3. Links

Links in Figma connect frames and pages, allowing users to navigate between different sections of a design. This is essential for creating interactive prototypes.

Detailed Explanation

To create a link:

1. Select the element (e.g., button) that will trigger the link.
2. Open the "Prototype" tab in the right panel.
3. Choose the destination frame or page from the dropdown menu.
4. Click "Create Link."

Example

Imagine a navigation bar with links to different pages. Each link would connect a button in the navigation bar to a corresponding frame or page.

4. Prototyping

Prototyping in Figma involves creating interactive designs that can be tested and shared. This helps in visualizing the user flow and ensuring a smooth navigation experience.

Detailed Explanation

To prototype:

1. Create frames and pages as needed.
2. Add links between frames and pages.
3. Use the "Present" mode to test the prototype.

Example

Consider a user journey through a mobile app. By prototyping, you can simulate the entire journey, from login to checkout, ensuring a seamless experience.

5. Hotspots

Hotspots in Figma are clickable areas within a frame that trigger links. They are useful for creating interactive elements that navigate to different sections of a design.

Detailed Explanation

To create a hotspot:

1. Select the "Frame" tool.
2. Draw a transparent frame over the area you want to make clickable.
3. Add a link to the hotspot in the "Prototype" tab.

Example

Imagine a banner ad on a website. By creating a hotspot, you can make the entire banner clickable, directing users to a specific page.

6. Transitions

Transitions in Figma are visual effects that occur when navigating between frames or pages. They enhance the user experience by providing smooth and intuitive navigation.

Detailed Explanation

To add a transition:

1. Select the link in the "Prototype" tab.
2. Choose a transition effect (e.g., dissolve, slide) from the dropdown menu.
3. Adjust the duration and timing of the transition as needed.

Example

Consider a slideshow on a website. By adding transitions, you can create a smooth and engaging experience as users navigate between slides.

By mastering Linking Frames and Pages in Figma, you can create interactive and engaging prototypes, enhancing the overall user experience.