Figma is a widely-used design tool that facilitates the creation of prototypes and wireframes of all kinds. Going beyond just basic features, Figma also offers an animation option to create designs with high fidelity. This essay provides an in-depth tutorial on how to leverage Figma’s Smart Animate feature—along with information on a helpful alternative—to get the most out of this popular program.
Table of Contents
Create Animation with Figma Alternative
Step 1: start a new project
Start by going to the Mockitt online dashboard and clicking on the “Create > Project” button. After that, you can add a new screen and pick an appropriate view to construct your design.
Step 2: add animations and links to your designs
When your canvas is ready to go, use the hotkeys on the side of your screen to add widgets as needed. To create a link between two components, look for the “Link” element in the menu. With this tool, creating interactions between different screens is easy and quick.
Step 3: recheck and share your project
At the top of your designs, you can click the “Preview” button to check your project renderings. Plus, you’re able to generate a unique QR code or link via the Share icon so that you can share it with others. I’ve also included strategies for utilizing tools like Figma Prototype Animation or Figma Smart Animate in this article for simpler usage of the Figma animation feature. If desired, Wondershare Mockitt is an alternative option offering a vast library and enabling all types of animations on the fly in your designs.
Create Animation in Figma with Smart Animate
The most efficient way to implement Figma animation is by utilizing the Smart Animate feature, which is built into Figma. The following steps can be taken in order to animate your objects in Figma:
Step 1: start a new project and then work on the basic designs
When beginning a project, the Figma dashboard can be used to access existing tools to create a basic prototype. To work on more complex elements, additional screens can be added and integrated into one project.
Step 2: Use the Figma Smart Animate tool
The animation feature in Figma can be accessed through the Prototype tab in the sidebar. To establish an interaction between two components, create a connection then head to the Animations section of the Prototype menu. You can then alter the animation style and value to get a smooth transition. Alternatively, you can just enable Smart Animated mode that will automatically animate components across both screens. The auto animate feature is also useful when working with dynamic objects, and Figma allows for exporting designs once complete.
Animation Creation Tips and Tricks in Figma
1- Make Your Drawings More Realistic
Achieving realistic designs in Figma animations is highly dependent on paying attention to the details. It’s important to remember that even if objects are presented in two dimensions, they should appear as though they have three-dimensional qualities such as weight, balance and volume. Practicing both 2D and 3D drawings can help you create a more immersive design. Taking time to focus on these intricacies will elevate your animation results and create an astonishing experience for viewers.
2- Appealing Animation
When you’re creating an animation on Figma, it’s important to focus on the needs of humans rather than robots. Make sure that your design incorporates visual appeal and a realistic approach. Additionally, keep in mind any requirements or principles associated with the project. To get the best results, we recommend doing some pre-planning by sketching out ideas on paper; this will allow for greater creativity and thoughtfulness when bringing your design to life.
3- Use flexible movement
Flexibility in design is a crucial part of the animation. Without this, the animation looks rigid and strange. Using Figma animations provides flexibility, allowing you to create animations that look like they’d move in real life. The use of squashing and stretching can achieve soothing effects on viewers, although it may not work as planned for every instance. To determine how hard or soft an object appears, look at how much squash and stretch you’re applying. If it feels softer, then use more squash and stretch.
