Adding Interactions and Animations in Figma

Key Concepts

• Interactions
• Triggers
• Actions
• Animations
• States
• Prototyping

Interactions

Interactions in Figma refer to the dynamic behavior of elements within a design. These interactions can be triggered by user actions such as clicking, hovering, or scrolling. By adding interactions, you can create a more engaging and interactive user experience.

Example: Think of a button on a website that changes color when you hover over it. This change in color is an interaction that responds to your action, making the website more intuitive and user-friendly.

Triggers

Triggers are the events that initiate interactions. Common triggers in Figma include On Click, On Hover, and On Scroll. By setting up triggers, you define the conditions under which an interaction will occur.

Example: Consider a light switch that turns on when you flip it. The action of flipping the switch is the trigger that initiates the interaction of turning on the light. Similarly, in Figma, a trigger like On Click can initiate an interaction such as navigating to a new page.

Actions

Actions are the outcomes of interactions. In Figma, actions can include navigating to a different frame, showing or hiding elements, or playing animations. Actions define what happens when a trigger is activated.

Example: Imagine a remote control that changes the channel when you press a button. The button press is the trigger, and the action is changing the channel. In Figma, an action like navigating to a new frame can be triggered by a click, creating a seamless user experience.

Animations

Animations in Figma add movement and visual effects to interactions. You can create animations such as fades, slides, and rotations to enhance the user experience. Animations make interactions more dynamic and engaging.

Example: Think of a door that swings open when you push it. The swinging motion is an animation that adds realism and engagement to the interaction. In Figma, you can add animations like a fade-in effect to make elements appear smoothly on the screen.

States

States in Figma represent different visual conditions of an element. Common states include Default, Hover, and Click. By defining states, you can create responsive designs that change based on user interactions.

Example: Consider a traffic light with three states: Red, Yellow, and Green. Each state represents a different condition and behavior. Similarly, in Figma, states like Hover and Click allow you to define how elements change in response to user actions.

Prototyping

Prototyping in Figma involves creating interactive mockups that simulate the user experience. By combining interactions, triggers, actions, animations, and states, you can build prototypes that demonstrate how your design will function in real-world scenarios.

Example: Imagine building a model car that moves and responds to controls. This model car is a prototype that demonstrates how the real car will function. In Figma, prototyping allows you to create interactive designs that showcase the user journey and interactions.