Buttons and Clickable Elements in Figma for Mobile App Design

Key Concepts

• Button Types
• Button States
• Button Styles
• Button Placement
• Button Interaction
• Button Accessibility
• Button Consistency
• Button Customization

1. Button Types

Button types refer to the different categories of buttons used in mobile app design. Common button types include primary buttons, secondary buttons, and tertiary buttons. Primary buttons are used for the main actions, secondary buttons for secondary actions, and tertiary buttons for less important actions or as links.

Example: In a mobile app, a primary button might be used for "Submit" or "Save," while a secondary button could be used for "Cancel" or "Back."

2. Button States

Button states represent the different visual appearances of a button based on user interaction. Common states include default, hover, active, and disabled. Each state provides visual feedback to the user, indicating the button's functionality and current status.

Example: A default button might have a solid color, while a hover state could change the color slightly or add an underline, and a disabled state might appear grayed out.

3. Button Styles

Button styles refer to the visual properties applied to buttons, such as color, shape, size, and typography. In Figma, you can create and apply button styles to ensure consistency across your design. Button styles can be saved and reused, making it easy to update multiple buttons simultaneously.

Example: For a mobile app with a dark mode, you might create a button style with white text and a dark background. This style can be applied to all buttons in the app, ensuring a cohesive look.

4. Button Placement

Button placement involves positioning buttons within your design to ensure they are easily visible and accessible. Proper placement enhances the user experience by guiding users to important actions. Buttons should be placed in logical locations, such as at the bottom of the screen for easy thumb access.

Example: In a mobile app, action buttons like "Confirm" or "Next" might be placed at the bottom of the screen, where they are easily accessible with the thumb.

5. Button Interaction

Button interaction refers to how buttons respond to user input. This includes visual feedback like color changes, animations, and transitions. Effective interaction design makes buttons feel responsive and intuitive, enhancing the overall user experience.

Example: When a user taps a button, it might change color and slightly scale up, providing immediate feedback that the action has been registered.

6. Button Accessibility

Button accessibility involves ensuring that buttons are usable by everyone, including those with visual impairments. This includes using high-contrast colors, providing descriptive labels, and ensuring buttons are large enough to be easily tapped. In Figma, you can add accessibility labels to buttons to improve their usability.

Example: A button labeled "Submit" should have a contrasting color and be large enough to be easily tapped, ensuring it is accessible to all users.

7. Button Consistency

Button consistency ensures that all buttons in your design follow the same visual style and conventions. This consistency enhances the user experience by making it easier for users to recognize and understand buttons. Consistent buttons also contribute to a professional and polished look.

Example: In a mobile app, all primary buttons should have the same color, shape, and size, ensuring a uniform appearance throughout the app.

8. Button Customization

Button customization allows you to modify buttons to better fit your design. In Figma, you can adjust the size, color, shape, and other properties of buttons. Customization is particularly useful when you need to match buttons to your brand's visual identity or create unique buttons for specific features.

Example: If your mobile app has a unique feature like "Quick Buy," you might customize a button to have a specific shape and color that represents this feature.