Advanced Interaction Settings in Figma

Figma's advanced interaction settings empower designers to create dynamic, responsive prototypes that closely mimic real-world user interactions. This guide delves into complex interactions such as sidebar overlays, fixed-position scrolling, and advanced animation techniques. By mastering these tools, you can craft user experiences that are both immersive and intuitive, elevating your prototypes to the next level, whether you’re designing for web, mobile, or beyond

In this section, we’ll cover the following topics.

Sidebar Overlay
Fixed Position Scroll
Horizontal Scroll
Other Figma Prototype Techniques

Overlays are a common feature in modern UI design, often used for opening sidebars, modal windows, or pop-ups. Figma simplifies the process of creating these overlays with its intuitive Open overlay interaction setting.

How to Set Up an Overlay:

Select the Open Overlay Event: Start by selecting the element that will trigger the overlay (e.g., a menu button) and choose the Open overlay event in the interactions panel.
Choose the Overlay Frame: Specify the frame that you want to open as the overlay. This could be a sidebar, modal, or any other content you wish to overlay on the current screen.
Positioning: You can position the overlay relative to the current frame. Options include aligning it to the top, bottom, left, or right, or centering it on the screen.
Close on Click Outside: Enable this option to allow users to close the overlay by clicking outside of it, which enhances usability by offering an easy way to dismiss the overlay.
Background Settings: Adjust the background color or opacity of the underlying screen when the overlay is active. For example, darkening the screen can draw more attention to the overlay.
Animation Effects: Add animation effects to make the overlay appear more fluid. For instance, you can have the sidebar slide in from the left or fade in smoothly.

FAQ: Advanced Interaction Settings

How do I set up a sidebar overlay in Figma?

To set up a sidebar overlay:

Select the element that will trigger the overlay (e.g., a menu button) and choose the Open overlay event in the interactions panel.
Specify the frame you want to open as the overlay, such as a sidebar or modal window.
Position the overlay relative to the current frame (top, bottom, left, right, or center).
Enable Close on Click Outside to allow users to close the overlay by clicking outside of it.
Adjust background settings for the underlying screen, such as darkening it to draw attention to the overlay.
Add animation effects, like sliding the sidebar in from the left, to make the overlay more fluid and engaging.

What is fixed-position scrolling, and how can I use it in Figma?

Fixed-position scrolling ensures that certain UI elements, like navigation bars or footers, stay visible as the user scrolls through the content. To use fixed-position scrolling in Figma:

Select the element you want to remain fixed.
In the Prototype tab, set the Scroll behavior to Fixed (stay in place).
Set constraints to align the element appropriately, such as fixing a top bar to the top of the frame or anchoring a footer to the bottom.

This setting helps maintain key navigational tools at the user's fingertips, improving usability.

How do I set up horizontal scrolling in Figma?

To set up horizontal scrolling:

Place the items you want to scroll horizontally into a frame.
Nest this content within a new frame that will act as the scrollable area.
Align the nested frame's width with the main frame to define the visible area for scrolling.
In the overflow settings, select Horizontal scroll to activate scrolling.
Optionally, enable Clip content to hide any overflowed content outside the scrolling area.

This feature is particularly useful for content-rich interfaces, such as image galleries or media libraries.

What is multi-directional scrolling, and when should I use it?

Multi-directional scrolling allows users to scroll both horizontally and vertically, making it ideal for dynamic content like interactive maps or large dashboards. To create multi-directional scrolling:

Create a sub-frame that defines the scrollable area.
Place the content inside this sub-frame, ensuring it exceeds the sub-frame's dimensions in both directions.
Enable Clip content to hide overflowed content.
Set the overflow settings to allow both horizontal and vertical scrolling.

This technique is essential for designs that require exploration in multiple directions.

How can I create hover effects in Figma?

Hover effects provide immediate feedback to users, making the interface more interactive. To create a hover effect:

Design two states of a button or element—one for the default state and one for the hover state.
Convert each version into a component.
Combine these components as variants within a single component set.
Set up an interaction from the default state to the hover state using the While hovering action.

This technique enhances user engagement by making interactive elements more responsive.

What is Smart Animation in Figma, and how do I use it?

Smart Animation in Figma enables smooth transitions and dynamic actions, such as showing a directional arrow moving across the screen. To create Smart Animation:

Design different states of an object (e.g., arrows pointing in various directions) and convert them into components.
Combine these components as variants within a single set.
Define interactions between states, selecting Smart animate for the transition effect.
Customize the speed and easing settings to control the fluidity of the animation.
Use After delay to chain multiple interactions together, creating a sequence of animations.

Smart Animation is ideal for complex UI interactions like dropdowns, sliders, or any component that requires a smooth state transition.

Advanced Interaction Settings in Figma

Sidebar Overlay

Figma Introduction
Course Content

Prototype Interaction Settings and Practice

No Next Topic

FAQ: Advanced Interaction Settings

How do I set up a sidebar overlay in Figma?

What is fixed-position scrolling, and how can I use it in Figma?

How do I set up horizontal scrolling in Figma?

What is multi-directional scrolling, and when should I use it?

How can I create hover effects in Figma?

What is Smart Animation in Figma, and how do I use it?

Advanced Interaction Settings in Figma

Sidebar Overlay

Figma IntroductionCourse Content

Prototype Interaction Settings and Practice

No Next Topic

FAQ: Advanced Interaction Settings

How do I set up a sidebar overlay in Figma?

What is fixed-position scrolling, and how can I use it in Figma?

How do I set up horizontal scrolling in Figma?

What is multi-directional scrolling, and when should I use it?

How can I create hover effects in Figma?

What is Smart Animation in Figma, and how do I use it?

Figma Introduction
Course Content