How Do You Do Parallax Scrolling in Figma?

Parallax scrolling is a popular technique used in web design to create an engaging and immersive user experience. It involves the background images moving at a different speed than the foreground elements, creating a sense of depth and dimension.

If you're using Figma for your design projects, you might be wondering how to achieve parallax scrolling effects within the platform. In this tutorial, we'll explore the steps to create parallax scrolling in Figma.

To begin, let's first understand the concept behind parallax scrolling. The idea is to have multiple layers on your webpage that move at different speeds as the user scrolls.

This effect can be achieved using CSS and JavaScript on a live website. However, Figma is primarily a design tool, so we'll focus on creating a visual representation of parallax scrolling rather than adding functional code.

To get started with parallax scrolling in Figma, follow these steps:

Step 1: Set up your project

Create a new file or open an existing one in Figma. Make sure you have all the necessary assets, such as background images and foreground elements, ready before proceeding.

Step 2: Design your layers

Identify the different layers that you want to animate with the parallax effect. For example, you might have a background image layer and multiple foreground element layers.

To create depth and dimension, consider using bold colors and high contrast between the layers.

Step 3: Arrange your layers

In Figma, arrange your layers in the desired order from back to front. The layer at the bottom will be your background image layer, followed by foreground elements arranged in ascending order of distance from the viewer.

Step 4: Apply motion blur

To simulate motion blur as the user scrolls, select the layers you want to animate and apply a motion blur effect. This effect will help create a sense of movement and depth in your design.

Step 5: Animate the layers

Now, let's add the parallax scrolling effect to our design. Select the foreground element layers and adjust their position slightly downwards or upwards, depending on the desired direction of movement.

Next, create multiple frames in Figma to represent different scroll positions. For example, if you want your parallax effect to be noticeable when the user scrolls down, create frames for various scroll positions.

In each frame, adjust the position of the foreground element layers further, creating a subtle shift from one frame to another.

Step 6: Preview your parallax scrolling

To see how your parallax scrolling design looks and feels, preview it in Figma by selecting the frames one by one or using Figma's interactive prototype feature.

You can simulate scrolling by clicking on the frames in sequence or by using keyboard shortcuts like Page Up and Page Down.

Step 7: Refine and iterate

Once you've previewed your parallax scrolling design, take a step back and evaluate its effectiveness. Make any necessary adjustments to achieve the desired visual impact.

You can experiment with different layer arrangements, animation speeds, and motion blur settings until you're satisfied with the result.

In conclusion

Parallax scrolling can add depth and interactivity to your web designs. Although Figma doesn't provide native functionality for functional parallax scrolling effects like CSS or JavaScript does, it allows you to visually craft compelling designs that showcase this popular technique.

By following these steps outlined in this tutorial, you can create stunning parallax scrolling designs in Figma and bring your web projects to life.

Remember to experiment with different layer arrangements, animation speeds, and motion blur settings to achieve the desired effect. Happy designing!