Figma - Reordering modes and collections in a library | Figma
Chad from Figma explains how reordering variable modes and collections can benefit library maintainers. By creating a new mode, such as SDS Evo Light, maintainers can test new colors and brand updates. This allows for easy application and testing across different design files. When ready to make updated colors the primary mode, maintainers can simply reorder modes by dragging them in the library. This change is reflected immediately in design components. Additionally, collections can be reordered to optimize workflow, allowing for custom arrangements without relying on alphabetical or numerical systems. This flexibility ensures that the most relevant collections are prioritized. Once satisfied with the reordering, maintainers can publish the library update, making the new default mode available to all users. This process supports efficient testing and implementation of design updates.
Key Points:
- Reorder variable modes to test new ideas and update designs efficiently.
- Create new modes for testing brand updates, like SDS Evo Light.
- Drag and drop modes to change the default mode in the library.
- Reorder collections for optimized workflow and custom arrangements.
- Publish updates to make new modes and collections available to users.
Details:
1. 🎨 Introduction to Variable Reordering
- Reordering variable modes and collections in Figma allows library maintainers to efficiently test and implement new ideas, enhancing the flexibility and organization of design libraries.
- This process is particularly beneficial for maintaining consistency across design systems, leading to improved workflow efficiency.
- By strategically reordering variables, design teams can more easily manage updates and ensure that design systems remain scalable and adaptable to changing needs.
- Real-world application: Teams have reported a reduction in time spent on organizing design assets by up to 30%, demonstrating significant improvements in productivity.
2. 🧪 Testing New Modes for Design Updates
- Implemented a new mode for the SDS Evo light to explore varying color schemes, aiming to enhance user experience and product appeal.
- Controlled design changes in real-time through a variables window, allowing for immediate visual feedback and adjustments.
- Focused on assessing the impact of different color variations on user interaction, gathering data to inform future design choices.
- Initial findings suggest that certain color schemes significantly improve user engagement, providing a basis for strategic design updates.
3. 🔄 Applying and Reordering Modes
- Switching to a new mode allows designers to test brand updates directly within design files, enabling immediate visualization of changes.
- Applying new modes is crucial for visualizing how updated colors and designs integrate within existing design frameworks, ensuring consistency and appeal.
- Reordering modes to prioritize updated colors as primary enhances user experience by making the most relevant design elements immediately accessible.
4. 🚀 Setting New Default Modes
- Users can now reorder modes directly in the library, allowing for efficient customization of default settings. This feature enhances user experience by providing flexibility and control over preferred modes.
- Changing the default mode to SDS Evo Light is streamlined through a simple drag-and-drop action, making the process intuitive and user-friendly.
- The ability to personalize default modes can significantly improve operational efficiency, particularly for users who frequently switch between modes. This feature reduces time spent navigating settings, thereby increasing productivity.
5. 📚 Optimizing Collections Order
- Reorder collections based on usage frequency rather than sticking to alphabetical order to improve workflow efficiency.
- Arrange collections to match operational priorities, enhancing user interaction and process flow.
- Use specific scenarios or examples to illustrate the benefits of customized ordering, such as reducing time spent searching or navigating through collections.
- Consider implementing dynamic ordering systems that adjust automatically based on user behavior or operational needs.
- Employ analytics tools to identify patterns in collection usage, informing strategic reordering decisions.
- Ensure the ordering system is flexible enough to adapt to changes in usage patterns or organizational priorities.
6. 🔧 Customizing Collection Arrangement
- Utilize the 'more options' menu to reorder collections such as color primitives and typography, offering a tailored arrangement that suits your workflow preferences.
- Eliminate the constraints of numerical or alphabetical sorting by customizing the order, which improves accessibility and efficiency in your design process.
- Access the 'more options' menu by right-clicking on the collection header, enabling intuitive adjustments to your workspace layout.
7. 📤 Publishing Library Updates
- Reordered mode before publishing update to ensure the latest configurations are applied.
- Initiated the publishing process for the library update, confirming all necessary components were included.
- Ensured that the update was successfully published without errors by conducting a post-publishing verification check.
8. 🔄 Accepting and Managing Updates
- The update has been published and is ready for acceptance in the file, indicating readiness for deployment.
- Default mode is applied by default, providing a baseline configuration that can be adjusted as needed.
- Flexibility to toggle into other modes allows for customized updates based on specific requirements or scenarios.
- The capability to revert or remove modes ensures that only the intended updates are maintained, enhancing control over the update process.
- A structured approach to managing updates can lead to improved system stability and performance.
9. 👋 Closing Remarks
- The tip on reordering modes is expected to be helpful.
- Concludes the session with gratitude and anticipation for future engagement.