How Do You Make a GIF on Figma?

Creating a GIF on Figma is a fun and creative way to add some animation to your designs. Whether you want to showcase a specific interaction or simply bring your static designs to life, Figma provides an intuitive platform for creating GIFs. In this tutorial, we will walk through the step-by-step process of making a GIF on Figma.

Step 1: Prepare Your Design

Before we dive into creating the GIF, it's important to have your design ready in Figma. Ensure that all the elements and components are in place and that you are satisfied with how everything looks.

Step 2: Create Frames

To create an animation, we need to set up multiple frames in Figma. Frames act as individual stages of the animation. You can think of them as different slides in a presentation.

To create frames, click on the "+" button next to the current frame at the top right corner of the Figma interface. You can also use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + Alt + G" (Windows) or "Cmd + Option + G" (Mac).

Add Elements and Make Changes

In each frame, you can make changes to your design, such as moving objects, changing colors, or resizing elements. These modifications will be captured in subsequent frames and contribute to the overall animation effect.

Step 3: Animate Your Design

Now that you have set up your frames and made any necessary changes, it's time to bring your design to life with animations.

Add Interactions

Figma allows you to add interactions between frames by using "Smart Animate." Select an element or group of elements you want to animate and click on the "Prototype" tab in the right sidebar. Then, click on the "Add Interaction" button and choose "Smart Animate. "

Define Transitions

With Smart Animate selected, you can define the transition properties for each element. For example, you can specify whether an element should move, scale, change opacity, or perform any other animation effect.

Step 4: Preview and Export as GIF

Once you have set up your animations, it's time to preview and export your design as a GIF.

Preview the Animation

To preview your animation, click on the "Play" button located at the top right corner of the Figma interface. This will play through all frames and show you how your GIF will look.

Export as GIF

To export your design as a GIF, go to the "File" menu and select "Export." Choose "GIF" from the export options. You can also specify additional settings such as size, quality, and loop options.

Congratulations! You have successfully created a GIF on Figma. Now you can use this animated design to enhance your presentations or share it with others.

In conclusion, Figma provides a user-friendly platform for creating animated designs. By following these steps and incorporating animations into your designs using frames and interactions, you can bring your static designs to life with engaging GIFs. So go ahead and unleash your creativity!