Using Variants for Dynamic Content in Figma

Key Concepts

Variants in Figma allow designers to create dynamic content that can be easily switched between different states or options. This feature is particularly useful for user testing, as it enables the creation of flexible and interactive prototypes. Here are the key concepts to understand:

1. Creating Variants

Variants are essentially groups of similar components that share common properties but differ in specific attributes. To create variants, follow these steps:

1. Select the component you want to create variants for.
2. Right-click on the component and choose "Create Component."
3. In the properties panel, click on the "Variants" tab.
4. Add different states or options by clicking the "+" button.
5. Name each variant and adjust its properties as needed.

For example, if you are designing a button, you can create variants for different states like "Default," "Hover," and "Pressed." Each variant can have its own color, size, or other attributes.

2. Applying Variants

Once variants are created, you can apply them to different instances of the component. This allows you to easily switch between different states without recreating the component each time. Here’s how to apply variants:

1. Select the instance of the component where you want to apply a variant.
2. In the properties panel, click on the "Variants" dropdown.
3. Choose the desired variant from the list.
4. The instance will automatically update to reflect the selected variant.

Imagine you are designing a form with multiple input fields. By applying variants to the input fields, you can easily switch between "Active," "Focused," and "Error" states to test different user interactions.

3. Using Variants for User Testing

Variants are incredibly useful for user testing as they allow you to create dynamic content that can be easily modified and tested. Here’s how to leverage variants for user testing:

1. Create variants for different user states or scenarios (e.g., "Logged In," "Logged Out").
2. Link these variants to different frames or screens in your prototype.
3. Conduct user testing by switching between variants to observe user reactions and interactions.
4. Gather feedback and make adjustments based on the test results.

For instance, if you are testing a login flow, you can create variants for the "Logged In" and "Logged Out" states. By switching between these variants during testing, you can observe how users navigate and interact with different parts of the flow.

Examples and Analogies

Think of variants as different outfits for the same character in a video game. Each outfit (variant) changes the appearance and possibly the behavior of the character, but the core identity remains the same. Similarly, variants in Figma allow you to change the appearance and behavior of components while keeping their core functionality intact.

For example, if you are designing a product card, you can create variants for different product states like "In Stock," "Out of Stock," and "On Sale." Each variant can have its own visual treatment, such as a different background color or label, to indicate the product’s state. This flexibility allows you to test how users respond to different product states without redesigning the entire card.

By mastering the use of variants for dynamic content, you can create more flexible and interactive prototypes, making the user testing process more efficient and insightful.