Mastering Figma: Tips and Shortcuts for Efficient Design

Figma is one of the most powerful design tools available today, known for its collaborative features and ease of use. But even seasoned designers sometimes overlook the small tricks and shortcuts that can save time and boost productivity. In this article, we’ll explore how to work more efficiently with Figma, focusing on shortcuts and features that every designer should know.

Figma keyboard shortcuts

Why Figma?

Before diving into shortcuts, it’s important to highlight why Figma has become the tool of choice for UI/UX designers. Its real-time collaboration capabilities, cloud-based environment, and intuitive interface make it a powerful platform for both individual and team projects.

But to truly unlock its potential, knowing how to navigate efficiently within the tool is key. Mastering shortcuts is a great way to improve your workflow and maximize output.

Essential Shortcuts for Speed

Here are some of the most commonly used Figma shortcuts that can save you tons of time:

  1. Zoom In/Out

    • Cmd + + (Mac) / Ctrl + + (Windows) to zoom in.
    • Cmd + - (Mac) / Ctrl + - (Windows) to zoom out.
    • Cmd + 0 or 1 (Mac) / Ctrl + 0 or 1 (Windows) for 100% zoom.
  2. Frame Tool

    • Press F to quickly activate the frame tool. You can then draw or select predefined device sizes for your artboards.
  3. Pen Tool

    • Press P to activate the pen tool for drawing custom shapes and paths.
  4. Duplicate Elements

    • Cmd + D (Mac) / Ctrl + D (Windows) to duplicate an object. Holding Alt while dragging an object also duplicates it.
  5. Select All

    • Cmd + A (Mac) / Ctrl + A (Windows) to select all elements on the canvas.
  6. Toggle Layout Grid

    • Press Shift + G to show or hide the layout grid on any frame.
  7. Group/Ungroup

    • Cmd + G (Mac) / Ctrl + G (Windows) to group selected objects together.
    • Cmd + Shift + G (Mac) / Ctrl + Shift + G (Windows) to ungroup.

Auto Layout: A Game-Changer

Auto Layout is one of Figma’s most powerful features, allowing you to create responsive designs that adjust dynamically based on content. With Auto Layout, you can:

  • Automatically adjust padding, spacing, and alignment for any frame or component.
  • Stack elements vertically or horizontally with consistent spacing.
  • Enable buttons, forms, and containers to resize based on their content.

Here’s how to quickly add Auto Layout:

  • Select the elements you want to add Auto Layout to and press Shift + A.
  • Use the panel on the right to customize spacing, padding, and alignment.

By using Auto Layout, you can ensure that your designs remain flexible and easy to update, no matter how much content changes during the project.

Mastering Components and Variants

Figma’s Component system allows you to create reusable elements (buttons, cards, etc.) that you can easily update across your project. Components help maintain design consistency while speeding up your workflow.

  • Create a Component: Select an element or group and press Cmd + Alt + K (Mac) / Ctrl + Alt + K (Windows).
  • Detach an Instance: If you need to edit a specific instance of a component, select it and press Cmd + Shift + B (Mac) / Ctrl + Shift + B (Windows).

With Variants, you can create multiple versions of a component (such as different button styles or states) and switch between them easily.

  • Create Variants: Group components together and click on "Combine as Variants" in the right-hand panel. This allows you to create different states (e.g., hover, disabled) for a single element.

Efficient Navigation with Pages and Layers

As your project grows, managing multiple frames, components, and layers can become overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you stay organized:

  • Pages: Create separate pages for different sections or screens of your project (e.g., "Home Page", "User Profile"). This keeps your canvas clean and easy to navigate. You can add a new page by clicking the "+" icon at the top of the layers panel.
  • Layers: Name your layers clearly and group them logically. You can quickly navigate to any layer by pressing Cmd + / (Mac) / Ctrl + / (Windows) and typing the name of the layer you’re looking for.

Plugins and Widgets

Figma’s extensive library of plugins can significantly boost your productivity. Here are a few must-have plugins for UI/UX designers:

  1. Unsplash: Quickly add high-quality images to your designs with the Unsplash plugin.
  2. Feather Icons: Access a library of simple, open-source icons without leaving Figma.
  3. Content Reel: Generate placeholder content like names, emails, and more with this versatile plugin.

Installing plugins is simple—just go to the Figma Plugin Store and click "Install" on any plugin you'd like to use.

Conclusion: Make Figma Work for You

By mastering these shortcuts, leveraging Auto Layout, and organizing your layers, you can work much more efficiently in Figma. The key to becoming a faster designer is not just learning how to use the tool, but using it in a way that works for your specific workflow.

Take the time to learn these features, experiment with plugins, and adapt your design process as you go. Figma is an incredibly powerful tool, and with the right techniques, you can maximize its potential to create stunning, intuitive designs with less effort.