Figma - Figma Design for K-12: Building simple animation
The tutorial focuses on using Figma's Smart Animate feature to create animations by detecting layers with the same names across frames and rendering differences such as size, position, rotation, or style changes. Three animations are created: one that scales a shape to show growth, another that shifts a shape's position to create motion, and a third that changes style properties to suggest collaboration. The process involves creating frames, ensuring layers have consistent names, and using prototype mode to set triggers, animation curves, and durations. Practical applications include creating animations that convey growth, motion, and collaboration, with the ability to customize colors and animation settings. The tutorial also covers using after delay triggers and multiple frames to tell a story of togetherness, encouraging users to experiment with design and animation properties to make unique animations.
Key Points:
- Smart Animate detects layers with the same names across frames to render differences automatically.
- Create animations by scaling, shifting position, and changing style properties.
- Ensure layers have consistent names for Smart Animate to work effectively.
- Use prototype mode to set triggers, animation curves, and durations.
- Experiment with design and animation properties to customize animations.
Details:
1. 🎬 Introduction to Smart Animate
- Smart Animate is a feature in Figma that detects layers with the same names across frames and automatically renders changes such as size, position, rotation, or style.
- The tutorial will cover creating three types of animations: scaling a shape to indicate growth, shifting a shape's position to create motion, and changing style properties like color and corner radius to suggest concepts like collaboration.
- A community file is available for viewers to follow along, which can be accessed through the video description.
2. 🖌️ Creating Basic Animations
- Begin by designing in Figma using frames and ellipses, holding down shift to maintain proportions during resizing.
- Ensure identical naming of layers (e.g., 'ellipse 2') across frames for smart animate to function properly.
- Switch to prototype mode to create animations by linking frames with the animation noodle, setting triggers like 'on click'.
- Configure animation curves (e.g., ease in) and duration (e.g., 300 milliseconds) for desired effects.
- To loop animations, connect frames in both directions for continuous playback.
- Adjust colors and other properties in design mode without affecting the animation structure.
- Preview animations to see the current frame and adjust animation curves in prototype mode for varied effects.
- Troubleshoot common issues by ensuring layer names match and triggers are properly set.
- Explore advanced techniques such as using different triggers and creating more complex animation sequences.
3. 🔄 Advanced Animation Techniques
- Enhancing animations by adjusting duration and resizing settings for optimal visibility is crucial. Resize windows to 100% if animations appear cut off.
- Creating animations involves design precision, such as aligning shapes to the center and ensuring consistent layer names across frames to maintain animation flow.
- Utilize prototype mode for linking frames and set easing options to 'ease out' with a duration of 800 milliseconds for smooth transitions.
- Implementing 'after delay' triggers allows animations to tell a story through timed transitions, with delays set at 300 and 900 milliseconds for strategic pacing.
- Designing frames with specific dimensions (e.g., 400x400 for frames, 180x180 for rectangles) ensures consistency and aids in creating coherent animations.
- Changing shapes' fill colors and corner radii can transform the visual aesthetic while maintaining animation integrity by keeping names consistent.
- Experimenting with shape rotation and animation properties (e.g., duration, trigger settings) can further customize and enhance the animation experience.
4. 🎡 Animation Playground
- The Animation Playground page provides a diverse range of customizable animations, enabling users to enhance their projects creatively.
- Users have the ability to click and drag animations within the prototype view, allowing for intuitive exploration and adjustment of animation settings.
- Previewing animations is possible to ensure the desired outcome is achieved before finalizing the design.
- There is a feature to copy animation interaction properties, facilitating efficient customization and consistency across different animations.
- The playground includes options for various animation types, offering users flexibility in design choices.
- Advanced settings are available for users looking to explore more sophisticated animation techniques.
- Examples and templates are provided to guide users in customizing their animations effectively.