Figma part 4: Interactions, time, tap, drag
Basic interactions, tap trigger
In this instructional video, Simon demonstrates the process of creating interactive prototypes using Figma. He guides viewers through the steps of connecting multiple screen designs for a mobile app, with a focus on establishing navigation between different pages. Simon explains how to utilize Figma's prototyping tab to create interaction wires, linking buttons to their corresponding pages. The tutorial covers setting up tap interactions, selecting transition effects such as dissolve, and fine-tuning timing and easing. Throughout the presentation, Simon emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent user experience and showcases how to preview and test the prototype using Figma's inline preview feature. This practical guide is well-suited for designers aiming to develop more dynamic and interactive mockups for user testing and client presentations.
Timed triggers
In this video, Simon demonstrates how to create more complex interactions in Figma, focusing on timed animations and transitions. He shows how to set up a login sequence, starting with a splash screen that automatically transitions to a login page after a set delay. Simon guides viewers through duplicating frames, adjusting opacity, and using the "After Delay" interaction to create a timed animation sequence. He demonstrates how to use Smart Animate to smoothly transition between frames, creating a polished intro animation. The tutorial also covers linking the login button to the app's homepage, completing the user journey. Throughout the video, Simon emphasizes the importance of timing and smooth transitions to create a professional-looking prototype. This advanced tutorial builds on previous lessons, showing how to combine various Figma prototyping features to create a more dynamic and engaging user experience.
Drag triggers
In this video, Simon demonstrates how to implement drag interactions in Figma, focusing on creating a swipeable carousel for a mobile app interface. He begins by grouping image tiles and placing them in a search page frame. Simon then duplicates the frame twice to create different states for the carousel. He sets up "On Drag" interactions between these frames, using Smart Animate transitions to create a smooth swiping effect. Simon shows how to configure the interactions to allow dragging in both directions, ensuring users can swipe left and right through the carousel. Throughout the tutorial, he emphasizes the importance of creating natural-feeling interactions that mimic real mobile app behavior. The resulting prototype allows users to smoothly drag through different categories in the search page, demonstrating how to create more complex, interactive elements in Figma prototypes.
Overlay actions
In this final video of the series, Simon demonstrates how to create and implement overlay interactions in Figma. He focuses on adding a popup menu that appears when clicking a "more" icon. Simon shows how to set up the overlay frame and configure the interaction using the "Open Overlay" action instead of navigation. He explains overlay settings, including positioning options and background fade effects. Simon also covers how to close the overlay, both by clicking outside the overlay area and by adding a specific close button within the overlay. Throughout the tutorial, he emphasizes the importance of user-friendly interactions and provides step-by-step instructions on setting up and testing the overlay feature. This lesson rounds out the series by showcasing how to add more complex, app-like interactions to Figma prototypes, enhancing the overall user experience in the design.
