Figma Interface is the visual workspace through which designers create, organize, edit, prototype, inspect, and collaborate on digital designs. A Figma Design file is organized around major areas such as the navigation bar, left sidebar, toolbar, canvas, and right properties panel. Understanding these areas is one of the first and most important steps for anyone learning Figma.
For structured learning, visit JustAcademy Figma Training and Register for Figma Course Demo.
The exact arrangement and available controls can vary with the Figma product, file type, permissions, and current interface version. In Figma Design, the main working areas include the navigation bar, left sidebar, toolbar, canvas, and right sidebar.
The Figma Interface is the complete collection of menus, panels, tools, canvas controls, navigation options, and property controls that allow a designer to work inside a Figma file.
Instead of designing through a traditional desktop application with many separate windows, Figma provides an integrated workspace where designers can create visual elements, organize layers, modify properties, build prototypes, use components, collaborate, and inspect designs.
Figma Design File
│
├── Top/File Controls
│ ├── File Name
│ ├── Menus
│ ├── Share
│ └── Collaboration Controls
│
├── Left Navigation
│ ├── File
│ ├── Assets
│ ├── Tools
│ ├── Variables
│ └── Other File Workflows
│
├── Left Sidebar
│ ├── Pages
│ ├── Layers
│ └── File Organization
│
├── Toolbar
│ ├── Move
│ ├── Frame
│ ├── Shape
│ ├── Pen
│ ├── Text
│ ├── Comment
│ └── Other Tools
│
├── Canvas
│ └── Main Design Area
│
└── Right Sidebar
├── Design Properties
├── Prototype
├── Comments
├── Export
└── Inspection Information
A designer can create simple designs without understanding every part of the interface, but professional Figma work becomes much easier when the workspace is understood properly.
The Figma Design editor is divided into several functional areas. The major areas are the navigation bar, left sidebar, toolbar, canvas, and right sidebar.
| Area | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Navigation Bar | Provides access to major file workflows and navigation options. |
| Left Sidebar | Displays pages, layers, and related file organization. |
| Toolbar | Contains tools for creating, selecting, editing, and commenting. |
| Canvas | Main workspace where designs are created and arranged. |
| Right Sidebar | Displays properties, prototype controls, comments, and export-related controls. |
The navigation bar is located along the left side of the Figma Design interface. It provides entry points to important workflows within a file.
Depending on the current Figma interface and available features, the navigation bar can provide access to areas such as Files, Assets, Tools, Variables, Agents, and file notifications.
Navigation Bar
│
├── Figma / Main Menu
├── File
├── Assets
├── Tools
├── Variables
├── Agents
└── Notifications
The Figma menu provides access to application-level commands and settings. It can be used to access commands related to editing, viewing, preferences, plugins, keyboard shortcuts, and other functionality.
The file controls allow designers to perform actions related to the current Figma file.
Depending on the current interface, file actions can include renaming the file, moving it to a folder, viewing version history, and accessing other file-specific settings.
File Name:
E-Commerce Mobile App
Possible Organization:
Project
├── Research
├── Wireframes
├── UI Design
├── Components
└── Prototype
Descriptive file names make projects easier to locate and maintain. A professional project should use a meaningful naming convention instead of names such as "Untitled" or "New Design".
Project Name + Platform + Version/Status
Example:
Food Delivery App - Mobile UI - V2
Pages help organize different groups of designs inside a Figma file. Each page provides its own canvas where designers can create and organize content.
Food Delivery App
│
├── Cover
├── Research
├── User Flow
├── Wireframes
├── UI Design
├── Components
├── Prototype
└── Archive
Pages can be used to separate design milestones, components, explorations, documentation, and final designs.
| Pages | Frames |
|---|---|
| Organize large groups of design work. | Containers used inside a page. |
| Each page has its own canvas. | Frames organize specific UI or design content. |
| Useful for project structure. | Useful for screens, components, cards, sections, and layouts. |
| Located in file navigation. | Located on the canvas and in Layers. |
The Layers panel displays the objects and structures that exist on the current page. Every object placed on the canvas generally has a corresponding layer.
Layers may include frames, groups, text, shapes, images, components, instances, vectors, sections, and other objects.
Home Screen
│
├── Header
│ ├── Logo
│ ├── Search Icon
│ └── Profile Icon
│
├── Hero Section
│ ├── Background
│ ├── Heading
│ └── CTA Button
│
└── Product Card
├── Product Image
├── Product Name
└── Price
Layer hierarchy describes how objects are nested inside one another. A frame or group can contain child layers, creating a parent-child relationship.
Frame
├── Rectangle
├── Text
└── Button
├── Background
└── Label
This hierarchy helps designers manage complex interfaces and understand which objects belong to which containers.
The order of layers affects how objects overlap on the canvas. Layers positioned above other layers in the layer hierarchy can appear above them visually.
Top
├── Text
├── Button
├── Image
└── Background
Bottom
In this example, the text and button can visually appear above the image and background.
Renaming layers is an important professional practice. Meaningful layer names make files easier for designers, developers, reviewers, and future collaborators to understand.
Frame 123
Rectangle 45
Group 8
Text 19
Login Screen
Email Input
Password Input
Primary Button
Before changing an object's properties, the object must generally be selected. Objects can be selected directly from the canvas or through the Layers panel.
Canvas
↓
Click Object
↓
Object Selected
↓
Properties Appear
↓
Modify Design
Complex designs often contain nested objects. For example, a button may contain a background shape and text layer.
Button
├── Background
└── Label
When working with nested objects, Figma provides methods for selecting the appropriate parent or child layer. Double-clicking or using appropriate selection shortcuts can help move deeper into nested structures.
The toolbar is one of the most important parts of the Figma interface. It contains tools for selecting objects, navigating the canvas, creating frames, shapes, text, vector paths, comments, and other design elements.
Figma's toolbar is the primary place for many creation and editing tools.
The Move tool is used to select and move objects on the canvas. It is commonly the default tool when opening a Figma Design file.
The Hand tool allows you to move around the canvas without selecting and moving design objects.
It is particularly useful when working with large files containing many screens or design sections.
H = Hand ToolYou can also temporarily activate the Hand tool by holding the Space bar while navigating the canvas.
The Scale tool is useful when you want to resize an object or a collection of layers while scaling its contents proportionally.
Original Design
↓
Select Design
↓
Scale Tool
↓
Resize
↓
Scaled Design
Frames are fundamental building blocks in Figma. A frame acts as a container for design elements such as text, shapes, images, components, and other layers.
Frames are commonly used to represent screens, cards, sections, components, and layout containers.
Mobile Screen Frame
│
├── Status Bar
├── Header
├── Banner
├── Product List
└── Bottom Navigation
Sections help organize related content on the canvas. They can be used to group areas of a design file and make large design files easier to navigate.
Sections can also help communicate design stages and organize content for collaboration or developer handoff.
Section: Login Flow
│
├── Login Screen
├── Forgot Password
├── OTP Screen
└── Reset Password
The Slice tool allows designers to define a specific region of the canvas for export.
It can be useful when only a particular portion of a larger design needs to be exported.
Shape tools allow designers to create basic geometric elements that form the foundation of many interfaces.
The Rectangle tool is one of the most frequently used tools in Figma. Rectangles can be used to create buttons, cards, backgrounds, input fields, containers, navigation bars, and many other interface elements.
Rectangle
├── Width: 200px
├── Height: 48px
├── Fill: Primary Color
└── Corner Radius: 8px
Lines are useful for dividers, diagrams, timelines, and visual separators. Arrows are useful for flows, diagrams, wireframes, and process illustrations.
Login
↓
Dashboard
↓
Product
↓
Checkout
The Ellipse tool creates circular or oval shapes. It is commonly used for avatars, icons, profile images, status indicators, decorative elements, and circular buttons.
Polygon and Star tools are useful for decorative shapes, illustrations, icons, badges, rating symbols, and visual design elements.
The Pen tool is used to create vector paths and complex vector shapes. It allows designers to work with anchor points and curves.
The Pencil tool allows designers to create freehand drawings and annotations. It is useful for sketching ideas, creating rough illustrations, or adding visual notes.
The Text tool is used to create text layers. Text is an essential part of interface design because headings, labels, buttons, navigation, descriptions, and messages all depend on typography.
T = Text ToolHeading:
Welcome Back
Body:
Sign in to continue to your account.
Button:
Login
When a text layer is selected, the right sidebar provides controls for typography and appearance.
| Property | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Font Family | Controls the typeface. |
| Font Size | Controls text size. |
| Font Weight | Controls thickness. |
| Line Height | Controls vertical spacing between lines. |
| Letter Spacing | Controls spacing between characters. |
| Text Alignment | Controls horizontal text alignment. |
| Text Color | Controls the visual color of text. |
The Comment tool allows collaborators to leave feedback directly on a design. Comments can be attached to specific areas of the canvas, making design discussions more contextual.
C = Comment ToolDesigner:
"Increase the spacing between the heading and button."
Developer:
"Updated the spacing."
Designer:
"Approved."
The canvas is the main workspace where design elements are created, arranged, edited, and reviewed. It provides a large working area for screens, components, wireframes, illustrations, and prototypes.
The canvas is different from the side panels because it represents the actual visual design workspace.
Large Figma files may contain many frames and sections. Canvas navigation allows designers to move around the workspace without modifying the design.
Zoom controls determine how closely you view the canvas. Zooming in is useful for detailed UI work, while zooming out provides an overview of the entire project.
Zoom In
↓
Detailed Editing
↓
Icons / Text / Spacing
Zoom Out
↓
Project Overview
↓
Multiple Screens / Sections
Panning allows you to move the visible area of the canvas without changing the position of design objects.
A common Figma workflow is to hold the Space bar and drag the canvas to navigate around large files.
The right sidebar contains contextual information and controls for the selected object. The controls change depending on what is selected and the user's permissions.
For example, selecting a text layer exposes typography-related properties, while selecting a frame exposes layout and frame-related properties.
The Design tab is used to inspect and modify design properties of selected objects.
Position properties define where an object is located within its parent or the canvas.
Button
X = 120
Y = 500
Width = 200
Height = 48
Precise positioning is important when building structured interface layouts.
Width and height determine the dimensions of a selected layer or frame.
Mobile Frame
Width: 390
Height: 844
Button
Width: 320
Height: 48
These values can be adjusted from the properties panel when editing the appropriate object.
Alignment controls help designers position objects relative to one another or to their parent container.
Fill controls determine the visual appearance of the inside of a layer. A fill may be a solid color, gradient, image, or another supported fill type.
Button
Fill: Primary Color
Card
Fill: White
Hero
Fill: Gradient
Stroke represents the border or outline of an object. Designers can use strokes for cards, input fields, dividers, buttons, icons, and illustrations.
Input Field
Fill: White
Stroke: Gray
Stroke Width: 1px
Corner Radius: 8px
Corner radius controls how rounded the corners of a shape or frame are.
Card
Corner Radius: 12px
Button
Corner Radius: 8px
Avatar
Corner Radius: 50%
Consistent corner-radius values help create a cohesive visual language.
Effects can be used to create visual depth or emphasis. Common examples include shadows and blur effects.
Card
├── Fill: White
├── Radius: 12px
└── Effect: Drop Shadow
Auto Layout is used to create flexible layouts that automatically respond when content changes. It is especially useful for buttons, navigation bars, cards, lists, forms, and responsive components.
Button
├── Icon
├── Text
└── Icon
Auto Layout
Direction: Horizontal
Gap: 8px
Padding: 16px
Constraints help define how layers behave relative to their parent frame when the frame changes size.
Mobile Header
│
├── Logo → Left
├── Search → Right
└── Profile → Right
Constraints are useful when designing layouts that need predictable behavior during resizing.
Components are reusable design elements. Examples include buttons, icons, navigation bars, input fields, cards, and modals.
Button Component
↓
┌───────────────┐
│ Continue │
└───────────────┘
↓
Instances
├── Continue
├── Submit
├── Login
└── Checkout
The Assets area provides access to reusable components and component resources available to the current file and connected libraries, subject to the user's access and file configuration.
Assets make it easier to reuse established UI elements instead of recreating them repeatedly.
| Components | Assets |
|---|---|
| Reusable design objects. | Area for discovering reusable components and resources. |
| Can have instances. | Helps locate available reusable elements. |
| Can be local or library-based. | Can include components from the current file or available libraries. |
The Prototype tab is used to define interactions between screens and objects. It allows designers to transform static designs into interactive prototypes.
Screen A
↓
User Clicks Button
↓
Interaction
↓
Screen B
↓
Animation / Transition
↓
User Continues
Prototype connections define relationships between interactive objects and destination frames.
Login Button
↓
Tap
↓
Navigate To
↓
Dashboard Screen
Triggers determine when an interaction should occur. Depending on the prototype context, triggers can include actions such as clicking, tapping, hovering, dragging, or keyboard-related interactions.
Actions determine what happens after a trigger occurs.
Animations control how a prototype transitions between states or screens. They can make prototypes feel closer to real applications.
Button Click
↓
Interaction
↓
Navigate to Dashboard
↓
Transition
↓
Dashboard Appears
Comments provide a way for team members to discuss designs directly inside the file. They are useful for collecting feedback, asking questions, reporting design issues, and documenting decisions.
Designer Creates Design
↓
Reviewer Checks Design
↓
Comment Added
↓
Designer Updates Design
↓
Reviewer Reviews Again
↓
Final Approval
Figma files can be shared with collaborators according to the permissions and access settings configured for the file or project.
| Access | Typical Capability |
|---|---|
| View | View and inspect available information according to permissions. |
| Edit | Modify design content and use editing workflows. |
The exact capabilities available can depend on the file, plan, seat type, and permissions.
When an object is selected, the properties area can expose information such as dimensions, position, colors, typography, component properties, styles, variables, and other design attributes.
This is especially useful during developer handoff because developers can inspect the design without manually guessing dimensions or styling values.
Export settings allow designers to prepare selected layers or page content for export in supported formats and sizes.
The Figma interface supports collaboration between designers and developers. Developers can inspect layers and design properties, review dimensions and styles, access exportable assets, and understand how screens are structured.
Designer
↓
Create UI
↓
Organize Layers
↓
Use Components
↓
Add Prototype
↓
Developer Inspects
↓
Developer Builds UI
The File area provides access to the pages and layers within the current design file. It is one of the primary places for navigating and organizing design content.
File
├── Pages
│ ├── Wireframes
│ ├── UI Design
│ └── Prototype
│
└── Layers
├── Frame
├── Group
├── Text
└── Components
Variables allow designers to store reusable values that can be applied across designs. They can help establish consistency for values such as colors, spacing, dimensions, and other design-system data.
Design Variables
├── color/primary
├── color/background
├── spacing/small
├── spacing/medium
└── spacing/large
Styles allow designers to reuse established visual definitions across designs. Depending on the type of style, these can represent colors, typography, effects, and other reusable design properties.
Text Styles
├── Heading 1
├── Heading 2
├── Body
└── Caption
Color Styles
├── Primary
├── Secondary
├── Background
└── Error
Large design files can become difficult to navigate if all screens are placed randomly on the canvas. Sections, meaningful page names, frames, and layer names can be combined to create a clean workspace.
Page: UI Design
│
├── Section: Authentication
│ ├── Login
│ ├── Signup
│ └── Forgot Password
│
├── Section: Home
│ ├── Home
│ ├── Search
│ └── Product Details
│
└── Section: Checkout
├── Cart
├── Address
└── Payment
Figma provides ways to minimize or hide parts of the interface when you want more canvas space. This is useful when presenting designs or focusing on visual details.
For example, the current Figma interface supports a shortcut for minimizing major UI areas: Ctrl + Shift + \ on Windows and Command + Shift + \ on Mac.
Keyboard shortcuts can significantly improve productivity because designers do not need to repeatedly open tool menus.
| Shortcut | Purpose |
|---|---|
| V | Move/selection workflow |
| H | Hand tool |
| T | Text tool |
| C | Comment tool |
| Shift + S | Section tool |
| Ctrl + Shift + \ | Minimize major interface areas on Windows |
| Command + Shift + \ | Minimize major interface areas on Mac |
Step 1: Open Figma
↓
Step 2: Create/Open Design File
↓
Step 3: Understand Pages
↓
Step 4: Explore Layers
↓
Step 5: Learn Toolbar
↓
Step 6: Create Frame
↓
Step 7: Add Shapes
↓
Step 8: Add Text
↓
Step 9: Modify Properties
↓
Step 10: Organize Layers
↓
Step 11: Create Components
↓
Step 12: Build Prototype
↓
Step 13: Review / Comment
↓
Step 14: Export / Handoff
Let's use the Figma interface to create a basic login screen.
Use the Frame tool and create a mobile-sized frame.
Use the Text tool and create a heading such as "Welcome Back".
Use rectangles or Auto Layout structures to create email and password fields.
Create a button using a frame or Auto Layout structure.
Use the right sidebar to adjust colors, typography, spacing, radius, and other properties.
Connect the Login button to the dashboard screen using the Prototype tab.
Login Screen
├── Background
├── Logo
├── Heading
├── Email Field
│ ├── Label
│ └── Input
├── Password Field
│ ├── Label
│ └── Input
├── Forgot Password
└── Login Button
├── Background
└── Label
A dashboard demonstrates how multiple Figma interface features can work together.
Dashboard
├── Sidebar
│ ├── Logo
│ ├── Dashboard
│ ├── Users
│ ├── Orders
│ └── Settings
│
├── Header
│ ├── Search
│ └── Profile
│
└── Main Content
├── Statistics
├── Charts
├── Recent Orders
└── Activity
Product Card
├── Product Image
├── Product Name
├── Rating
├── Price
├── Discount
└── Add to Cart Button
This example can use frames, Auto Layout, text, images, components, fills, strokes, effects, and reusable instances.
Mobile App
│
├── Home
├── Search
├── Product Details
├── Cart
├── Checkout
└── Profile
Each screen can be represented by a frame, organized into sections and connected through prototype interactions.
The interface provides controls that support responsive design workflows, including frames, constraints, Auto Layout, components, and resizing behavior.
Frame
↓
Auto Layout
↓
Constraints
↓
Components
↓
Responsive Resizing
↓
Multiple Screen Sizes
A design system can combine components, styles, variables, and organized assets to create a consistent design language.
Design System
├── Colors
├── Typography
├── Spacing
├── Buttons
├── Inputs
├── Cards
├── Navigation
├── Icons
└── Components
Figma's interface supports collaborative workflows where designers, developers, product managers, researchers, and reviewers can work around the same design files.
Designer
↓
Creates Design
↓
Product Manager Reviews
↓
Comments
↓
Designer Updates
↓
Developer Inspects
↓
Development
| Feature | View Access | Edit Access |
|---|---|---|
| View design | Yes | Yes |
| Select objects | Yes | Yes |
| Modify design | No | Yes |
| Change layer properties | No | Yes |
| Add comments | Depending on permissions | Yes |
| Create/edit prototype | No | Yes |
Actual capabilities depend on the file's permissions, plan, and available product features.
| Figma Interface Concept | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Canvas | Main visual workspace. |
| Layers | Organizes objects and hierarchy. |
| Toolbar | Provides creation and navigation tools. |
| Properties | Controls selected object's attributes. |
| Components | Provides reusable UI elements. |
| Prototype | Creates interactive design flows. |
| Comments | Supports contextual collaboration. |
| Assets | Provides access to reusable components. |
| Interface Area | Main Question It Answers |
|---|---|
| Navigation Bar | Which major workflow or file area do I need? |
| Left Sidebar | What pages and layers are in my file? |
| Toolbar | Which tool should I use to create or edit something? |
| Canvas | Where do I create and arrange my design? |
| Right Sidebar | How do I change or inspect the selected object's properties? |
The Figma Interface is the workspace containing tools, navigation areas, canvas, sidebars, menus, and property controls used to create and manage designs.
The canvas is the main workspace where designers create, arrange, and edit design objects.
The Layers panel displays the objects and hierarchy of elements within the current page.
The toolbar contains tools for selecting, navigating, creating, editing, and commenting on design elements.
The right sidebar provides contextual properties and controls for selected layers and can also provide prototype, comments, inspection, and export-related functionality.
A frame is a container used to organize design elements and is commonly used to represent screens, layouts, and components.
Auto Layout is a layout system that allows elements to automatically respond to content and spacing changes.
Layers provide structure, hierarchy, organization, and control over individual objects in a design.
The Prototype tab is used to create interactions and connect screens or objects into interactive flows.
Meaningful layer names improve file organization, collaboration, maintenance, and developer handoff.
Open Figma
↓
Open/Create Design File
↓
Understand Navigation
↓
Create Pages
↓
Create Sections
↓
Create Frames
↓
Add Shapes
↓
Add Text
↓
Add Images
↓
Organize Layers
↓
Apply Properties
↓
Use Auto Layout
↓
Create Components
↓
Use Assets
↓
Build Prototype
↓
Add Comments
↓
Review Design
↓
Inspect Properties
↓
Export Assets
↓
Developer Handoff
A useful practice project is a complete food delivery application interface.
Food Delivery App
│
├── Cover
├── User Flow
├── Wireframes
│
├── UI Design
│ ├── Splash
│ ├── Login
│ ├── Home
│ ├── Search
│ ├── Restaurant
│ ├── Food Details
│ ├── Cart
│ ├── Address
│ ├── Payment
│ └── Order Tracking
│
├── Components
│ ├── Buttons
│ ├── Inputs
│ ├── Cards
│ ├── Navigation
│ └── Icons
│
└── Prototype
├── Login Flow
├── Shopping Flow
└── Checkout Flow
Research
↓
Information Architecture
↓
Wireframe
↓
Page Organization
↓
Component Creation
↓
Visual Design
↓
Auto Layout
↓
Responsive Behavior
↓
Prototype
↓
Design Review
↓
Developer Inspection
↓
Export / Handoff
↓
Implementation
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Canvas | Main area where designs are created. |
| Layer | Individual design object or element. |
| Frame | Container used to organize design elements. |
| Section | Canvas-level organizational area. |
| Toolbar | Collection of creation and navigation tools. |
| Sidebar | Panel providing navigation or contextual controls. |
| Properties | Settings and attributes of selected objects. |
| Component | Reusable design element. |
| Instance | Reusable occurrence of a component. |
| Auto Layout | Flexible layout system for responsive content. |
| Prototype | Interactive representation of a design. |
| Assets | Reusable components and resources available to a file. |
| Variables | Reusable values used across designs. |
| Styles | Reusable visual definitions. |
The Figma Interface provides a complete environment for creating and managing digital designs. The navigation bar helps users access important workflows, the left sidebar helps organize pages and layers, the toolbar provides design tools, the canvas is the main working area, and the right sidebar provides contextual properties and prototype-related controls.
Once these interface areas become familiar, designers can work more efficiently with frames, layers, components, Auto Layout, variables, prototypes, comments, assets, and developer handoff workflows.
Learning the Figma Interface is the foundation for becoming productive in Figma. Beginners should first understand the canvas, toolbar, navigation, layers, pages, and properties panel before moving into advanced topics such as Auto Layout, components, variables, design systems, responsive design, prototyping, and developer handoff.
A strong understanding of the interface helps designers keep files organized, create consistent UI designs, collaborate with teams, build interactive prototypes, and communicate designs effectively with developers.
For further structured Figma learning, visit JustAcademy Figma Training and use Register for Figma Course Demo to explore the course and demo options.
Figma's official interface documentation covers the design file, navigation bar, left sidebar, toolbar, canvas, right sidebar, layers, and design properties. The current interface can change over time as Figma introduces new features and reorganizes tools.
Figma Learn - Explore Design Files
