Figma is a revolutionary new design platform—is it right for you? This module equips you with deep knowledge so you can decide. Understand key concepts like frames, vector networks, and layout grids through interactive demonstrations. See how Figma’s web-based flexibility enables features impossible in older desktop software. Learn what makes it superior for interface design compared to tools like Photoshop.

 

What you’ll learn:

· Confidently navigate Figma’s clean intuitive interface to access its full capability

· Create designs rapidly by mastering essential tools to add shapes, text, paths and more with precision

· Organize complex projects gracefully via the intuitive Layers panel, keeping assets findable

· Liberate workflows from redundancy by building reusable components that update sitewide automatically

· Make professional designs shine by accentuating key elements with drop shadows and background blurs

· Compare the origins, strengths and limitations of seminal creative software like Photoshop, Illustrator and Sketch

· Get tactile experience with core concepts through hands-on video challenges and quizzes after each lesson

Before rushing into execution, smart preparation separates good from phenomenal work. This module cultivates best practice ideation habits to yield a bountiful creative harvest every time. First, discover how to tap boundless inspiration through sites like Behance. Then, channel ideas efficiently by curating a sharply focused mood board. Finally, assess your direction by benchmarking against professional examples—absorb what delights users, and dodge pitfalls revealed in weaker efforts.

 

· Stimulate innovation by compiling inspiration galleries with grepper to extract visually-stunning references from across the web

· Maintain clarity of purpose by condensing sprawling concepts into a concentrated mood board guiding all design choices

· Kickstart creation by reverse engineering what appeals in leading examples, alongside flagging distracting or ineffective elements

· Survey existing solutions to identify unmet user needs your concept could resolve for a competitive edge

 

· Reinvigorate stagnant thinking by runing text prompts through AI imagination-enhancers like DALL-E 2

· Stretch creative muscles applying ideas from unrelated domains to progress past linear derivative solutions

Ease paralyzing pressure by embracing sketching not as crafting perfected illustrations, but thinking made visible. Using pens, paper and simple geometric shapes, iterate concepts quickly without expectation— it’s idea origami, folding experience into novel forms. Scribble layout possibilities until clear patterns emerge. Photograph then import these wireframes into Figma, creating draft compositions ready for refinement. Through unfiltered experimentation, uncover the unexpected design brilliance lying just below the surface.

· Short-circuit tunnel vision by sketching 5 substantially different directions before judging, to widen the possibility space

· Identify promising layouts, information hierarchies and content groupings through rapidly-produced paper prototypes

· Photograph hand drawings or scan into digital format for porting wireframes swiftly into Figma using shapes

· Explore variations freely on separate pages to maintain a visual record for later review

· Disrupt habitual ideas by introducing random image prompts as creative springboards

· Preserve spontaneity in digital translations by keeping hand-drawn traces visible amidst cleaned up assets

Establishing robust framework early multiplying returns later. This module constructs a systematic content architecture through reusable components ensuring smooth handoff for developers, and enabling easy ongoing modifications. Cluster common repeated items like buttons into labeled sets for efficient access. Map information flows via linked prototypes simulating real-world user journeys. Strong foundations now pay dividends for years via better consistency, organization and scalability.

· Design complex systems efficiently by making elements like buttons, bars and icons retriggerable components

· Organize thousands of assets masterfully by sorting related builds into accurate labeled groups

· Liberate brainpower for higher priorities by eliminating redundant actions as updating master components cascades sitewide

· Plot multifaceted customer experiences via interactive prototypes mirroring product navigation paths

· Share living libraries enabling developer integration directly within Figma to reduce QA backtracking

· Future-proof accessibility by establishing proper colour contrast and semantic markup from the start

Great execution starts with a blurred vision sharpened iteratively; don’t be perfect, be prolific. Initiate building by getting key content blocked: headline, body text, images and calls-to-action. Refine aesthetics later; focus now on positioning elements clearly given space constraints. Does the path for consuming information make sense? Can the purpose be grasped within crucial initial 10 seconds? Pour ideas out rapidly without censoring quality; assess objectively after. Build, analyze and revise - sharpen vision through a lens of user experience.

 

· Lay design foundations rapidly using premade wireframing templates aligned to common formats

· Scope objectives and block content quickly using frame presets for mobile, web and presentation sizes

· Develop clear visual hierarchy via sharp contrast between elevated focus items against background

· Boost ideation by interrogating initial builds against best-practice guides embedded within Figma

· Expedite asset generation by modifying proven templates like iOS or Android app frameworks

· Clarify messaging by evaluating if intended tone matches actual cognitive/emotional response

Not all experiments will be victories, but all progress demands experimentation. This module explores the design iteration process - translating static compositions into dynamic user experiences. Sample techniques like parallax motion to add depth as users scroll. Introduce hovering micro-interactions to highlight clickable elements. Cycle through hero images reflecting diverse users. Add reveal animations to signal new sections. Vary fonts, colours and layouts. Completed products should scream “love me” not “tolerate me”. Build resonance by polishing pixels ‘till they’re irresistible.

 

· Elevate visual dynamism through cinemagraph-style animate foreground elements against static backgrounds

· Direct focus subtly by enlarging buttons on hover using conditional triggering logic

· Maintain visual diversity incorporating illustrated characters representing varied demographics

· Celebrate uniqueness by displaying motivating messages when users complete milestone activities

· Spotlight inner pages by expanding header logo into vibrant introductory transition graphics on-click

· Analyze emotional sentiment quantitatively by running designs through machine learning image classifiers

Skill and taste guide expert refinement maximizing appeal by perfecting every last 0.1% detail. Ensure compositions abide clear alignment rules with position/size consistency across elements like icons. Use constraint settings for spacing/padding precision. Does the visual weight distribution feel right? Bestcheck.dev audits for balance. Scrutinize colors critically - do choices strengthen brand identity? Review typography impacts - do font pairings project intended tone? Print final designs onquality stock analyzing textures closely. Sweat microdetails - it’s the icing that makes people fall madly in love.

 

· Ensure pixel perfection abiding alignment/spacing guidelines to polish overall aesthetic

· Manipulate visual weight achieving intended focus hierarchy through selectively accentuated scale/color

· Maintain cohesive styles reinforcing branding via linked character/paragraph presets adjusting universally

· Critically appraise color palettes against psychology targeting desired responses from users

· Judge compositions empirically referencing principles like rule of thirds, divine ratio and golden spirals

· Proof meticulously across unique contexts like varying mobile devices, printers and monitor calibers.

Closing well cements great first impressions made to win work and build reputation. This module examines essential aspects of delivering client-ready files able to withstand enterprise environments and approval processes. Ensure specifications match needs whether high-resolution printable artwork or compressed social videos. Check formatting follows protocols to guarantee accuracy. Enable smooth handoffs preparing assets directly importable into CMS databases via Figma’s API integrations. Wowing at finish line clinches quality perception; stick the landing.

· Verify files optimized for usage context - print vs digital requirements need distinct resolution/color

· Export web assets with minified SVG/PNGs at optimized sizes to accelerate site speed materially

· Structure layered Photoshop translations retaining groupings to simplify developer CSS/style extraction

· Add metadata like descriptions to critical frames ensuring clear purpose communication without overlap

· Configure seamless CMS connectivity plugins inserting Figma builds directly into WordPress and Shopify

· Automate transcoding into mandated enterprise formats like PDF/X-4 for large corporates

Prototyping is the stage where designs come to life, allowing you to present the app to your team or client in a dynamic way. In this module, we will explore how to build interactive connections between screens and simulate user flows.

·  How to enter and navigate Prototype Mode by switching from the Design tab.
· Create connections between screens using the plus signs on UI elements to map out interactions (e.g., linking the Sign In button to the Home Page).
· Apply different animation effects like Instant Animation, Dissolve, or Smart Animate for transitions between screens.
· Adjust transition speeds and effects like Slide In, Ease In, and even add fun bounce animations.
· Build a semi-working app by connecting user flows such as Add to Cart, Place Order, and Customer Service.
· Preview your prototype by using Control + Shift + Space (or Command + Shift + Space) to simulate interactions.

In this module, you’ll learn how to create basic animations to enhance app designs, especially when presenting prototypes to teams or clients. By combining animations with the prototype tool, you can add dynamic transitions to user interactions.

What you’ll learn:
· Setting up animations: Work with components that have multiple states (e.g., a shopping cart with closed and open states).
· Detaching instances: Learn to detach a component instance to enable animations, as components cannot be animated in their original state.
· State management: Name and manage states (e.g., "Default" and "Delete") to reflect different interaction points in the app.
· Prototyping with animations: Use the Prototype tab to link frames together, defining interactions such as On Click, On Hover, and While Pressing.
· Applying Smart Animate: Set up transitions with Smart Animate to create smooth animations between states, and choose effects like Ease In, Ease Out, or Bounce for a polished feel.
· Navigating prototypes: Link animations back to default states and test the flow in the preview mode using Shift + Control + Space (or Shift + Command + Space).
· Preview options: Launch the preview using either the play icon or keyboard shortcuts to simulate and view animations in action.