Figma for Mobile App Design
1 Introduction to Figma
1-1 Overview of Figma
1-2 Figma Interface Basics
1-3 Setting Up a Figma Account
2 Understanding Mobile App Design
2-1 Introduction to Mobile App Design
2-2 Key Principles of Mobile Design
2-3 Understanding User Experience (UX)
2-4 Understanding User Interface (UI)
3 Setting Up Your Figma Workspace
3-1 Creating a New Project
3-2 Organizing Layers and Frames
3-3 Using Templates and Plugins
3-4 Customizing Workspace Settings
4 Designing Mobile App Layouts
4-1 Creating Wireframes
4-2 Designing Navigation Patterns
4-3 Working with Grids and Layouts
4-4 Prototyping Navigation Flows
5 Typography and Text Styling
5-1 Choosing the Right Fonts
5-2 Setting Up Text Styles
5-3 Aligning and Justifying Text
5-4 Using Variable Fonts
6 Color Theory and Application
6-1 Understanding Color Theory
6-2 Creating Color Palettes
6-3 Applying Colors to Elements
6-4 Using Color Variables
7 Icons and Graphics
7-1 Importing and Using Icons
7-2 Designing Custom Icons
7-3 Working with Vector Networks
7-4 Using Plugins for Icon Design
8 Designing Interactive Elements
8-1 Buttons and Clickable Elements
8-2 Forms and Input Fields
8-3 Sliders and Switches
8-4 Dropdowns and Menus
9 Prototyping and Animations
9-1 Creating Interactive Prototypes
9-2 Adding Animations and Transitions
9-3 Testing Prototypes on Mobile Devices
9-4 Sharing and Collaborating on Prototypes
10 Responsive Design for Mobile Apps
10-1 Understanding Responsive Design
10-2 Designing for Different Screen Sizes
10-3 Using Auto Layout
10-4 Testing Responsiveness
11 Collaboration and Version Control
11-1 Collaborating with Team Members
11-2 Using Comments and Feedback
11-3 Managing Versions and Revisions
11-4 Integrating with Version Control Systems
12 Exporting and Sharing Designs
12-1 Exporting Assets for Development
12-2 Creating Design Systems
12-3 Sharing Designs with Stakeholders
12-4 Preparing for Handoff to Developers
13 Advanced Figma Techniques
13-1 Using Advanced Selection Tools
13-2 Mastering Boolean Operations
13-3 Creating Custom Plugins
13-4 Automating Design Tasks
14 Case Studies and Best Practices
14-1 Analyzing Real-World Mobile App Designs
14-2 Applying Best Practices in Figma
14-3 Learning from Design Critiques
14-4 Building a Portfolio of Mobile App Designs
15 Final Project and Certification
15-1 Planning and Designing a Mobile App
15-2 Implementing the Design in Figma
15-3 Prototyping and Testing the App
15-4 Submitting the Final Project for Certification
Designing Mobile App Layouts

Designing Mobile App Layouts

Key Concepts

1. Grid Systems

Grid systems are foundational for creating structured and balanced layouts. They divide the screen into a series of columns and rows, providing a framework for aligning elements. For mobile app design, a common grid system is the 12-column grid, which allows for flexible and modular layouts. By using a grid, designers can ensure consistency and symmetry across different screens.

Example: A news app might use a 12-column grid to align headlines, images, and summaries in a readable and visually appealing manner. The grid ensures that each element is properly spaced and aligned, enhancing the overall user experience.

2. Card-Based Layouts

Card-based layouts organize content into discrete, self-contained units called cards. Each card typically contains a snippet of information, an image, and sometimes interactive elements. This layout is particularly effective for mobile apps because it allows for easy scanning and interaction. Cards can be easily rearranged and resized, making them adaptable to different screen sizes and orientations.

Example: A social media app might use card-based layouts to display posts. Each card could include the user's profile picture, the post content, and interactive elements like likes and comments. This layout makes it easy for users to scroll through content and interact with individual posts.

3. Navigation Patterns

Navigation patterns determine how users move through the app. Common navigation patterns for mobile apps include tab bars, hamburger menus, and bottom navigation bars. Each pattern has its own advantages and is suited to different types of apps. For example, tab bars are ideal for apps with a few primary sections, while hamburger menus are better for apps with a large number of sections.

Example: A music streaming app might use a bottom navigation bar with tabs for Home, Search, Library, and Profile. This pattern allows users to easily switch between primary sections of the app, ensuring a smooth and intuitive navigation experience.

4. Responsive Design

Responsive design ensures that the app layout adapts to different screen sizes and orientations. This involves using flexible grids, layouts, and images that automatically adjust to fit any screen. Responsive design is crucial for mobile apps, as users may access the app on various devices with different screen dimensions.

Example: An e-commerce app might use responsive design to ensure that product listings are displayed in a readable format on both smartphones and tablets. On a smartphone, products might be displayed in a vertical list, while on a tablet, they could be presented in a grid format with larger images and more detailed descriptions.