Boolean operations (union, subtract, intersect, exclude) in Figma - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a product designer working with the marketing team.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to create clear icon shapes by combining and editing simple shapes using Boolean operations in Figma.

📊 Data: You have basic shapes like circles, rectangles, and triangles in Figma. You need to use Boolean operations to create new shapes that represent concepts like 'add', 'remove', 'combine', and 'exclude'.

🎯 Deliverable: A Figma file with four icons created using union, subtract, intersect, and exclude Boolean operations, each clearly labeled.

Sample Data

Shape Name	Shape Type	Position	Size
Circle1	Circle	(50,50)	40x40
Rectangle1	Rectangle	(70,50)	60x40
Triangle1	Triangle	(120,50)	50x50
Circle2	Circle	(150,50)	40x40

1

Step 1: Create the 'Add' icon by combining Circle1 and Rectangle1 using the Union Boolean operation.

Select Circle1 and Rectangle1, then click 'Union selection' in the Boolean operations menu.

Expected Result

A single shape combining Circle1 and Rectangle1 with no overlapping edges.

2

Step 2: Create the 'Remove' icon by subtracting Circle1 from Rectangle1 using the Subtract Boolean operation.

Select Rectangle1 and Circle1 (order matters), then click 'Subtract selection' in the Boolean operations menu.

Expected Result

Rectangle1 shape with the area overlapped by Circle1 removed, creating a cut-out.

3

Step 3: Create the 'Combine' icon by intersecting Triangle1 and Circle2 using the Intersect Boolean operation.

Select Triangle1 and Circle2, then click 'Intersect selection' in the Boolean operations menu.

Expected Result

A shape showing only the overlapping area between Triangle1 and Circle2.

4

Step 4: Create the 'Exclude' icon by excluding the overlapping area between Circle1 and Rectangle1 using the Exclude Boolean operation.

Select Circle1 and Rectangle1, then click 'Exclude selection' in the Boolean operations menu.

Expected Result

A shape showing both Circle1 and Rectangle1 but with the overlapping area removed.

5

Step 5: Label each icon clearly with text: 'Add', 'Remove', 'Combine', and 'Exclude'.

Use the Text tool to add labels below each icon.

Expected Result

Each icon has a clear label below it for easy identification.

Final Result

Circle + Rectangle

↓

Rectangle - Circle

↓

Triangle ∩ Circle

↓

Circle ⊕ Rectangle

✓Union combines shapes into one solid shape.

✓Subtract removes the overlapping part of the second shape from the first.

✓Intersect keeps only the overlapping area between shapes.

✓Exclude removes the overlapping area but keeps the non-overlapping parts.

Bonus Challenge

Create a new icon by combining three shapes using multiple Boolean operations to represent a complex concept like 'merge and exclude'.

Show Hint

Try using Union first to combine two shapes, then use Exclude with the third shape.