Does Figma Support Variable Fonts?
Variable fonts have gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to dynamically adjust and adapt to different typographic styles. They offer designers and developers greater flexibility and control over the appearance of text on the web. Figma, a popular design tool, has been widely used for its collaborative features and intuitive interface. But does Figma support variable fonts? Let's find out!
What are Variable Fonts?
Variable fonts are a new font format that allows for multiple variations within a single font file. Instead of having separate files for each font weight or style, variable fonts contain all the variations in one file. This means that designers can modify properties such as weight, width, slant, and even optical size in real-time, resulting in more creative freedom.
Figma's Support for Variable Fonts
Figma is a powerful design tool that supports various typographic features, but unfortunately, it does not yet fully support variable fonts. As of now, Figma only allows you to import variable font files like any other regular font files. However, you won't be able to take advantage of the dynamic properties that variable fonts offer directly within the Figma interface.
Workarounds
Although Figma doesn't have built-in support for variable fonts, there are workarounds you can use to incorporate them into your designs:
- Convert Variable Fonts to Static Fonts: If you have access to a font editor or converter software, you can convert the variable font file into multiple static font files representing each variation. Once converted, you can import these static fonts into Figma and use them as separate font styles.
- Create Custom Text Styles: Even though Figma doesn't allow dynamic adjustments within a variable font, you can create custom text styles for different variations manually. This involves duplicating text layers and adjusting their properties individually to mimic the desired variable font style.
- Use Static Fonts with Similar Properties: If you don't have access to a font editor or prefer not to convert the variable font, you can explore static fonts that have similar properties to the variable font you wish to use. While this isn't an ideal solution, it can help maintain consistency in your designs.
The Future of Variable Fonts in Figma
Although Figma doesn't currently support variable fonts natively, there is hope for future updates. Given the popularity and advantages of variable fonts, it is likely that Figma will eventually incorporate full support for them. Keep an eye on Figma's official announcements and updates for any news regarding variable font support.
Conclusion
While Figma doesn't currently offer direct support for variable fonts, there are workarounds available to incorporate them into your designs. Whether by converting them to static fonts or manually creating custom text styles, designers can still leverage the benefits of variable fonts within Figma. As the design industry continues to evolve, it's only a matter of time before Figma officially embraces this exciting typographic innovation.
