How Do You Prototype Button States in Figma?

September 17, 2023 figma

In the world of web design and development, prototyping plays a crucial role in bringing ideas to life. Figma, a popular design tool, offers a range of features to help you create interactive prototypes.

One essential aspect of any prototype is button states. In this tutorial, we will explore how you can prototype button states in Figma.

Understanding Button States

Buttons are an integral part of user interfaces, allowing users to interact with the website or application. However, buttons often have different visual appearances depending on their state. Common button states include normal, hover, active (when clicked), and disabled.

Starting with a Basic Button

To get started with prototyping button states in Figma, let's create a basic button. Begin by drawing a rectangle using the

element and apply appropriate styles such as background color, border radius, padding, and text color.

Next, add text within the button using the

element. Choose clear and concise text that accurately represents the button's purpose.

Creating Hover State

To prototype the hover state of a button in Figma, we can utilize interactive components. Select the button you created and convert it into an interactive component by right-clicking on it and choosing "Create Component" from the context menu.

Once your component is ready, duplicate it by pressing "Ctrl/Command + D." On one of the duplicates, modify its appearance to indicate that it is being hovered over by changing attributes like background color or adding shadows.

Adding an Active State

The active state represents how a button appears when it is clicked or tapped by a user. To create this state in Figma, duplicate your basic button component once again using "Ctrl/Command + D." Modify its appearance to make it visually distinct from the hover state. You might consider adding a darker background color or reducing the button's size to simulate a pressed effect.

Simulating Disabled State

The disabled state is crucial when designing user interfaces that require certain buttons to be inactive under specific conditions. To create a disabled button state in Figma, duplicate your basic button component for the last time using "Ctrl/Command + D." Adjust its appearance to make it visually different from the other states. For example, you can lower the opacity of the button or apply a desaturated color.

Previewing and Sharing Your Prototype

Now that you have created different button states, it's time to preview and share your prototype with others. In Figma, click on the "Prototype" tab located on the right sidebar. Connect your different button states by dragging and dropping wires from one state to another.

To preview your prototype, click on the play icon at the top right corner of Figma's interface. This will open a new window where you can interact with your buttons and experience their different states.

When you're ready to share your prototype with others, simply generate a shareable link by clicking on "Share" in the top right corner. You can also adjust settings such as password protection or allowing comments for collaborative feedback.

Conclusion

Prototyping button states in Figma is an essential step in creating intuitive and interactive user interfaces. By utilizing features like interactive components, you can easily simulate hover, active, and disabled states for buttons. Remember that these techniques are not limited to buttons alone but can be applied to various elements within your design.

So go ahead and experiment with button states in Figma to refine your designs and create engaging user experiences!