Proper prototyping is crucial for designers and developers, as it allows us to visualize, communicate, and confirm our design concepts. A well-known interface design tool, Figma provides a simple solution for creating interactive prototypes by connecting various screens. In the following article, we will guide you through the steps of linking screens in Figma.
Step 1: Create your screens
The first thing you need to do is create the screens you want to link together. To do this, you can use the Frame tool (F) in the toolbar on the left side of the screen. Give each screen a meaningful name to make it easier to work with later.
Step 2: Use the Prototype Tab
Once you have your screens ready, click on the Prototype tab at the top of the properties panel on the right. This will switch Figma to Prototype mode, making it possible to link screens together.
Step 3: Create an interaction
In the Prototype mode, select the object you wish to be the trigger (it could be a button, an image, or any other item on your frame) for navigating to another screen. Once the object is selected, you will see a small circular node on it. This is the interaction handle.
Click and drag this handle to the frame you want to link to. By doing this, you create what Figma calls an interaction.
Step 4: Set the action for the interaction
With the interaction created, you can set the action for this interaction on the right side of the screen. Commonly, you would choose “Navigate To” as the action and then select the screen you want to navigate to.
Step 5: Choose an animation
After setting the action for the interaction, you can choose an animation for the transition between screens. Figma provides several animation options like “Instant”, “Dissolve”, “Move in”, “Push”, etc. Experiment with these to find the one that suits your design best.
Step 6: Preview your prototype
Once you have linked your screens and set up all interactions, it is time to preview your prototype. Simply click on the Play button located at the top right corner of your screen.
Conclusion
Linking screens in Figma is a straightforward process, but it can significantly increase the effectiveness of your design presentations and user experience testing. We hope this guide has made it even easier for you to create interactive prototypes in Figma. Happy designing!
