Prototipando en Figma

What is prototyping in Figma and why is it important?

Prototyping is a crucial step in the development of a digital product, and Figma is a powerful tool that facilitates this process with its collaborative design capabilities in the cloud. A prototype is not simply a sketch, but an interactive file that allows you to visualize the look and functionality of a product before it is fully developed. Figma allows developers and designers to not only create visual designs but also define interactions and animations that provide a realistic experience of the final product. This facilitates product evaluation and fine-tuning in the early stages of development. Let's look at how to prototype effectively in Figma and the key elements of this process.

What are the key elements in a Figma prototype?

Prototyping comprises several essential elements to ensure a smooth and functional experience:

• Object and Target: Identify the interactive elements, such as buttons or links (object A), that will take the user to other elements or specific screens (object B).

• Interaction: Define how and when the interaction will occur, i.e., what user action (click, drag, etc.) will initiate the change from one screen or element to another.

• Transitions or animations: These are the ways in which the interaction will take the user from one state to another, either through sliding motions, fades, or other animations.

• Preview: Figma allows you to visualize how the prototype will look and function in real time, which is crucial for user testing and customer presentations.

How is basic prototyping done in Figma?

Prototyping in Figma is a fairly straightforward process and does not require advanced technical knowledge. Here are some basic steps that will guide you through the creation of a prototype:

1. Define interaction and scrolling:

   • Fix important components such as the header and footer using the "Fixed Position When Scrolling" option. This ensures that these elements remain visible as the user scrolls through the content.
   • Configures vertical scrolling in relevant content areas to allow the user to explore extensive content.

2. Cross-screen navigation:

   • Create interactions that connect different screens in the prototype. For example, a click on an image on the main screen could lead to a detail page.
   • Use arrows and other prompts to guide navigation.

3. Animations:

   • Assign smooth, natural animations to enhance the user experience. You can opt for transitions such as side swipes, which give fluidity to the change between screens.
   • Set appropriate durations (e.g. 250-300 milliseconds) to maintain natural interaction and avoid excessive waiting.

What recommendations to follow when prototyping in Figma?

Here are some recommendations when prototyping in Figma:

• Design as realistically as possible: The closer the prototype is to the final product, the more valuable the feedback you will receive.

• Test on real devices: Although Figma allows for in-app previews, testing the prototype on real devices provides a better understanding of the user experience.

• Use different files for demonstrations: When presenting to customers or stakeholders, work from a separate file to prevent changes to the prototype from affecting the demo.

• Document interaction: Detail interactions and the reasons behind specific design decisions to maintain clarity among team members and stakeholders.

Finally, prototyping with Figma not only speeds up the design validation process, but also ensures that the development team has a clear, visual roadmap to follow. Continue to explore and practice with this tool to master its capabilities and improve your design and development processes.