Creating Smooth Animations in Figma: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Welcome to this tutorial on understanding and creating animations in Figma! Animations can enhance your designs and bring life to static visuals. While Figma is not a dedicated animation tool, you can still create smooth and impactful animations by understanding the basics. This guide will walk you through the core concepts and a practical example of animation in Figma.

What is Animation?

Animation is a method of manipulating still images to appear as moving visuals. Our eyes retain images for a fraction of a second, allowing our brain to interpret rapid changes in images as motion. By using this principle, we can create seamless animations in Figma.

Key Concepts for Figma Animations

1. Multiple Frames: Animations in Figma require at least two frames to define the start and end states of an object.
2. Object Naming: Ensure that objects have the same name in all frames where animation is applied. This tells Figma that the same object is being animated.
3. Animation Types:
   • Smart Animate: Smoothly transitions between properties like position, rotation, and color.
   • Crossfade (Morphing): Fades one object into another if names differ.

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Simple Animation

1. Setting Up Frames

1. Open Figma and create two frames.
2. Add an object (e.g., a circle) to the first frame.
   • Example: Draw a circle and name it “Ellipse 1.”
3. Duplicate the frame to create the second frame.

2. Modifying Properties

1. In the second frame, change the rotation angle of the object.
   • Example: Rotate the circle to -60 degrees.

3. Adding Animation

1. Switch to the Prototype tab in Figma.
2. Create a connection (wire) between the two frames.
3. Set the interaction:
   • Trigger: On click or after delay.
   • Animation: Smart Animate.
   • Duration: Set to 1 second (or any desired duration).
4. Play the prototype to see the animation.

4. Ensuring Smooth Transitions

To avoid Crossfade or morphing animations:

• Ensure the object names in both frames are identical.
  • Example: Keep the object named “Ellipse 1” in both frames.

If names differ, Figma will interpret the objects as separate and perform a Crossfade animation.

Subscribe UX Mate Youtube Channel!

Exploring Animation Curves

Figma allows you to control the easing behavior of animations using curves. Common types include:

1. Linear: Maintains a constant speed.
2. Ease In: Starts slowly, then speeds up.
3. Ease Out: Starts fast, then slows down.
4. Ease In and Out: Starts and ends slowly, with faster motion in the middle.

Practical Example: Spinning Animation

Let’s create a spinning animation:

1. Set the interaction trigger to After Delay.
2. Adjust the delay to 1 ms for an immediate start.
3. Extend the animation duration to 3 seconds for better visibility.
4. Play the prototype to see the object rotate smoothly.

Key Takeaways

1. Name Consistency: Keep object names the same across frames for smooth transitions.
2. Experiment with Curves: Use different easing curves to add dynamics to your animations.
3. Prototyping Options: Choose between triggers like on click or after delay based on your use case.

With these basics, you can create engaging animations in Figma and bring your designs to life! Keep experimenting and check back for our upcoming tutorial on advanced animation curves.

Explore more amazing tutorials in our blogs.

Happy animating! 🎨✨