Constraints for responsive behavior in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What are constraints in Figma's responsive design?

Constraints in Figma control how objects move or resize when the frame size changes, helping designs adapt to different screen sizes.

beginner

How does setting a constraint to 'Left and Right' affect an object in Figma?

It makes the object stretch horizontally to keep the distance from both left and right edges constant when the frame resizes.

beginner

What happens if you set an object’s constraint to 'Center' in Figma?

The object stays centered horizontally or vertically within its parent frame, moving as the frame resizes but not stretching.

intermediate

Why is it important to use constraints when designing dashboards in BI tools?

Constraints ensure dashboard elements adjust properly on different screen sizes, keeping the layout clear and readable for all users.

beginner

Name two types of constraints you can set in Figma for responsive behavior.

Examples include 'Left', 'Right', 'Top', 'Bottom', 'Center', and combinations like 'Left and Right' or 'Top and Bottom'.

In Figma, what does the 'Top and Bottom' constraint do?

A Stretches the object vertically between top and bottom edges

B Keeps the object fixed to the bottom only

C Centers the object vertically

D Keeps the object fixed to the top only

The 'Top and Bottom' constraint makes the object stretch vertically to maintain distance from both edges when the frame resizes.

Which constraint keeps an object fixed in place without resizing in Figma?

A Left and Right

B Left

C Center

D Top and Bottom

The 'Left' constraint keeps the object fixed to the left edge without resizing.

Why use constraints in BI dashboard design?

A To create animations

B To add colors automatically

C To make elements responsive to screen size changes

D To export files faster

Constraints help dashboard elements adjust their position and size on different screen sizes for better usability.

If you want an object to stay centered horizontally when resizing, which constraint do you choose?

A Left and Right

B Right

C Left

D Center

The 'Center' constraint keeps the object horizontally centered within its frame.

What happens if no constraints are set on an object in Figma?

A The object moves and resizes unpredictably when the frame changes size

B The object stays fixed and does not move

C The object automatically centers

D The object disappears

Without constraints, objects do not respond predictably to frame resizing, causing layout issues.

Explain how constraints help in making a dashboard responsive in Figma.

Think about how objects behave when the frame size changes.

Describe the difference between 'Left' constraint and 'Left and Right' constraint in Figma.

Consider how the object changes size or position.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using constraints in Figma when designing frames?

easy

A. To export designs as images

B. To add colors and styles to elements

C. To control how elements move and resize inside frames

D. To create new frames automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of constraints

   Constraints define how elements behave when their parent frame changes size.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct purpose

   They help elements move or resize responsively inside frames.

3. Final Answer:

   To control how elements move and resize inside frames -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Constraints control element resizing = D [OK]

Hint: Constraints control element resizing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking constraints add colors or styles
• Confusing constraints with exporting features
• Believing constraints create frames automatically

2. Which of the following is the correct way to set constraints for an element to stay fixed to the top and left edges of its frame in Figma?

easy

A. Set constraints to Top and Left

B. Set constraints to Bottom and Right

C. Set constraints to Center and Middle

D. Set constraints to Scale

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify fixed position constraints

   To keep an element fixed to the top-left, you must constrain it to Top and Left edges.

2. Step 2: Match constraints to behavior

   Top and Left constraints keep the element anchored to those edges when resizing.

3. Final Answer:

   Set constraints to Top and Left -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Top and Left constraints fix position = A [OK]

Hint: Top and Left constraints fix element position [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Bottom and Right for top-left fixed position
• Using Center and Middle which centers element
• Using Scale which resizes element proportionally

3. If an element inside a frame has constraints set to Left and Right, what happens when the frame width increases?

medium

A. The element stays the same size and moves right

B. The element disappears

C. The element stays fixed to the left edge only

D. The element stretches horizontally to fill the new width

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Left and Right constraints

   When both Left and Right constraints are set, the element resizes horizontally with the frame.

2. Step 2: Predict behavior on frame resize

   Increasing frame width stretches the element to maintain distance from both edges.

3. Final Answer:

   The element stretches horizontally to fill the new width -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Left and Right constraints cause horizontal stretch = B [OK]

Hint: Left and Right constraints stretch element width [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking element moves without resizing
• Assuming element stays fixed only to left
• Believing element disappears on resize

4. You set an element's constraints to Top and Bottom inside a frame, but when you resize the frame vertically, the element does not stretch. What is the likely mistake?

medium

A. The element's constraints are set to Left and Right instead

B. The element is set to fixed height instead of auto height

C. The frame is locked and cannot resize

D. The element is outside the frame

Solution

1. Step 1: Check constraints vs element size

   Top and Bottom constraints should stretch element vertically, but fixed height prevents resizing.

2. Step 2: Identify the cause

   If element height is fixed, it won't stretch despite constraints.

3. Final Answer:

   The element is set to fixed height instead of auto height -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Fixed height blocks vertical stretch = A [OK]

Hint: Ensure element height is auto for vertical stretch [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing constraints with frame lock
• Mistaking Left and Right constraints for vertical behavior
• Ignoring element position inside frame

5. You want a button inside a frame to always stay centered horizontally and fixed 20px from the bottom edge, regardless of frame resizing. Which constraints should you set?

hard

A. Center horizontally and Bottom

B. Left and Bottom

C. Right and Bottom

D. Center horizontally and Top

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand horizontal centering

   To keep the button centered horizontally, set the horizontal constraint to Center.

2. Step 2: Fix vertical position 20px from bottom

   Set vertical constraint to Bottom to keep fixed distance from bottom edge.

3. Final Answer:

   Center horizontally and Bottom -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Center + Bottom constraints fix horizontal center and bottom distance = C [OK]

Hint: Use Center horizontally + Bottom for fixed bottom center [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Left or Right instead of Center for horizontal position
• Setting Top instead of Bottom for vertical constraint
• Not combining horizontal and vertical constraints properly