Device-specific frames (mobile, desktop, tablet) in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Device-specific frames in Figma help you design dashboards or reports tailored for mobile, desktop, and tablet screens. This ensures your business intelligence visuals look good and work well on different devices.

When you want your sales dashboard to be easy to read on a phone and a computer without redesigning everything.

When your marketing report needs to fit tablet screens during presentations.

When you want to preview how a KPI chart looks on different screen sizes before sharing.

When you create a BI app prototype that users will open on multiple devices.

When you need to test navigation and layout changes for mobile versus desktop users.

Steps

Step 1: Click

- Figma toolbar on the left, select the Frame tool (shortcut 'F')

The cursor changes to frame drawing mode, ready to create a new frame

Step 2: Look at the right sidebar under 'Design' panel

- Right sidebar, 'Frame' section

You see preset device sizes like Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile listed

Step 3: Click on the desired device preset (e.g., 'iPhone 13 Pro' for mobile)

- Right sidebar, 'Frame' section presets

A new frame appears on the canvas sized exactly for that device

Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3 to create frames for Desktop and Tablet

- Figma canvas and right sidebar

You have separate frames for mobile, tablet, and desktop side by side

Step 5: Design your BI dashboard or report inside each frame

- Inside each device-specific frame on the canvas

Each frame shows a version of your dashboard optimized for that device size

Step 6: Use the zoom and preview options

- Top-right corner, click 'Present' button

You see how your design looks on the selected device frame in full screen

Before vs After

Before

One large frame with a generic dashboard design that may not fit all devices

After

Three separate frames sized for mobile, tablet, and desktop, each showing a tailored dashboard layout

Settings Reference

Frame Presets

📍 Right sidebar under 'Design' when Frame tool is active

Choose device-specific frame sizes to design for different screens

Default: Custom size if manually drawn

Frame Resizing

📍 Right sidebar under 'Constraints' section

Control how elements inside frames adjust when frame size changes

Default: Left and Top

Presentation Mode

📍 Top-right corner 'Present' button

Preview how frames look on different devices

Default: Exit preview

Common Mistakes

Designing only one frame and expecting it to look good on all devices

Different devices have different screen sizes and aspect ratios, so one design may not fit well everywhere

Create separate frames using device presets and adjust layouts for each device

Ignoring the 'Constraints' settings inside frames

Without constraints, elements may not resize or reposition properly when frame size changes

Set constraints on key elements to control their behavior on different screen sizes

Summary

Device-specific frames let you design BI dashboards tailored for mobile, tablet, and desktop screens.

Use Figma's frame presets to quickly create frames with exact device sizes.

Remember to adjust layouts and constraints inside each frame for the best user experience.

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of using device-specific frames in Figma?

easy

A. To design layouts optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop screens

B. To add animations to your design

C. To create 3D models within your design

D. To export designs only as PDFs

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand device-specific frames

   Device-specific frames are preset sizes in Figma for mobile, tablet, and desktop screens.

2. Step 2: Identify their purpose

   They help designers create layouts that fit each device's screen size properly.

3. Final Answer:

   To design layouts optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop screens -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Device-specific frames = optimized layouts [OK]

Hint: Remember: device frames match screen sizes for better design [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing frames with animation tools
• Thinking frames create 3D models
• Assuming frames only export PDFs

2.

Which of the following is the correct way to add a mobile device frame in Figma?

1. Click Frame tool
2. Select Mobile preset
3. Draw frame on canvas

easy

A. Use Rectangle tool and resize manually to mobile size

B. Click Text tool, type 'Mobile', then draw frame

C. Import a mobile image and trace it

D. Click Frame tool, select Mobile preset, then draw frame on canvas

Solution

1. Step 1: Use Frame tool for device frames

   Figma's Frame tool includes presets for devices like Mobile, Tablet, Desktop.

2. Step 2: Select Mobile preset and draw

   Selecting the Mobile preset sets the correct size automatically when you draw the frame.

3. Final Answer:

   Click Frame tool, select Mobile preset, then draw frame on canvas -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Frame tool + Mobile preset = correct method [OK]

Hint: Use Frame tool presets for exact device sizes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Text tool instead of Frame tool
• Manually resizing rectangles instead of presets
• Importing images instead of using frames

3.

Given a desktop frame of width 1440px and a button constrained to the left and right edges, what happens if you resize the frame to 1200px width?

medium

A. The button width shrinks to fit the new frame width

B. The button stays the same size and overflows the frame

C. The button disappears from the frame

D. The button moves to the center but keeps original width

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand constraints on button

   Constraining left and right edges means the button resizes horizontally with the frame.

2. Step 2: Effect of resizing frame width

   When the frame width shrinks from 1440px to 1200px, the button width also shrinks to fit inside.

3. Final Answer:

   The button width shrinks to fit the new frame width -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Left-right constraints = button resizes [OK]

Hint: Left-right constraints resize width with frame [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming button size stays fixed
• Thinking button disappears
• Believing button centers but keeps size

4.

You created a tablet frame and placed an image inside it. The image is set to fixed size but you want it to resize proportionally when the frame changes size. What is the error and how to fix it?

medium

A. You must group the image with the frame to resize together

B. The image's constraints are set to 'Fixed'; change constraints to 'Scale' to resize proportionally

C. The image is raster; convert to vector to resize

D. The frame size is locked; unlock it to resize the image

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the problem with fixed size

   Fixed size means the image does not change size when the frame resizes.

2. Step 2: Change constraints to allow scaling

   Setting constraints to 'Scale' makes the image resize proportionally with the frame.

3. Final Answer:

   The image's constraints are set to 'Fixed'; change constraints to 'Scale' to resize proportionally -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Fixed size blocks resizing; use Scale constraints [OK]

Hint: Use 'Scale' constraints for proportional resizing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to unlock frame instead of changing constraints
• Confusing raster/vector with resizing behavior
• Grouping instead of adjusting constraints

5.

You want to design a responsive dashboard that works on mobile, tablet, and desktop using device-specific frames. Which approach best ensures your design adapts smoothly across devices?

hard

A. Use one large frame and crop it differently for each device

B. Design only for desktop and scale down manually for other devices

C. Create separate frames for each device preset and use constraints to adjust elements within each frame

D. Design only for mobile and stretch elements for larger screens

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand device-specific frames for responsiveness

   Using separate frames for mobile, tablet, and desktop lets you design layouts tailored to each screen size.

2. Step 2: Use constraints inside each frame

   Constraints help elements resize or reposition smoothly when frame size changes, ensuring adaptability.

3. Final Answer:

   Create separate frames for each device preset and use constraints to adjust elements within each frame -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Separate frames + constraints = smooth responsive design [OK]

Hint: Use separate frames plus constraints for best responsiveness [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Designing only for desktop or mobile and scaling manually
• Using one frame and cropping instead of designing per device
• Ignoring constraints for element resizing