Layers and Groups in Figma

Key Concepts

• Layers
• Groups

Layers

Layers in Figma represent individual elements within your design. They are organized in a hierarchical structure, allowing you to manage and edit specific parts of your design. Layers can be shapes, text, images, or other components. You can reorder layers to change their stacking order, making some elements appear in front of or behind others.

Example: If you have a button with text and an icon, each of these elements would be a separate layer within the button frame. By adjusting the layer order, you can control which element is visible on top.

Groups

Groups in Figma are collections of layers that are treated as a single unit. Grouping related layers together helps in organizing your design and making it easier to manage. When you group layers, you can move, resize, or edit them as a single entity. Groups can also be nested within other groups to create a more structured hierarchy.

Example: If you have a header section with a logo, navigation menu, and a search bar, you can group these elements together. This allows you to move the entire header section as one unit, simplifying your workflow.

Examples and Analogies

Think of layers as individual pieces of a puzzle. Each piece can be moved and adjusted independently, but when combined, they form a complete picture. Groups, on the other hand, are like puzzle pieces that have been glued together. You can still move and adjust the glued pieces, but they act as a single unit.

In a real-world scenario, consider a layered cake. Each layer represents a different element in your design. By grouping layers, you're essentially stacking these layers together, making it easier to handle the entire cake as a single entity.

By understanding and utilizing layers and groups effectively, you can create organized and manageable designs in Figma, making the handoff process smoother and more efficient.