How To Create Wireframes In Figma

Wireframing is an integral part of the design process. It enables designers to draft a preliminary visual guide of a website or application’s layout. Today, we’ll be diving into how you can create wireframes using Figma, a collaborative interface design tool.

Setting Up Figma

Before we start wireframing, make sure that you have a Figma account. If you don’t have one, you can sign up for free on their website. After signing in, create a new project by clicking on the “+” icon on the top left of the dashboard.

Creating a New Frame

After setting up your project, the first step is to create a new frame. You can do this by clicking on the ‘Frame’ tool in the toolbar (or press F on your keyboard). Then, select a frame size from the right side panel. For this tutorial, we’ll choose ‘Desktop’.

Drawing Shapes

Next, we’ll start drawing shapes which represent various elements of our website or app. To draw a shape, select the ‘Shape’ tool (or press O for an oval, R for a rectangle). Then, draw your shape within the frame by clicking and dragging.

Adding Text

To add text, click on the ‘Text’ tool (or press T) and click anywhere in your frame to start typing. You can adjust the font, size, color, and other properties from the design panel on the right side.

Creating a Prototype

Once you’ve laid out all your elements, it’s time to create a prototype. By connecting frames with interactive links, you can simulate the user flow of your design. Click on the ‘Prototype’ tab at the top of the right panel, then click and drag from one element to the node of another frame to create a link.

const frame1 = figma.currentPage.children[0]
const frame2 = figma.currentPage.children[1]
const node1 = frame1.findOne(node => node.name === 'Button')
const node2 = frame2.findOne(node => node.name === 'Screen')

figma.currentPage.selection = [node1, node2]
figma.viewport.scrollAndZoomIntoView(figma.currentPage.selection)

And there you have it! Wireframing in Figma is a simple and effective way to visualize your design ideas and create interactive prototypes. With practice, you’ll be able to quickly draft wireframes and communicate your design concepts more effectively.

Conclusion

Wireframing in Figma can seem intimidating at first, but once you understand the basics, it becomes a versatile tool in your design toolkit. Remember, the goal of a wireframe is not to be perfect, but to serve as a visual guide for your design process. So, start sketching, and happy designing!