Device-specific frames (mobile, desktop, tablet) in Figma - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a BI dashboard designer working with your marketing team.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to create device-specific dashboard frames in Figma for mobile, desktop, and tablet views to ensure the dashboard looks good on all devices.

📊 Data: You have the dashboard wireframe and need to create three frames sized for mobile (375x812 px), tablet (768x1024 px), and desktop (1440x900 px).

🎯 Deliverable: A Figma file with three frames named 'Mobile View', 'Tablet View', and 'Desktop View' sized correctly and containing the dashboard layout adapted for each device.

Sample Data

Device	Width (px)	Height (px)
Mobile	375	812
Tablet	768	1024
Desktop	1440	900

1

Step 1: Create a new frame in Figma for the Mobile View.

Set frame size to Width=375 px and Height=812 px. Name the frame 'Mobile View'.

Expected Result

A frame named 'Mobile View' sized 375x812 px appears in your Figma file.

2

Step 2: Create a new frame in Figma for the Tablet View.

Set frame size to Width=768 px and Height=1024 px. Name the frame 'Tablet View'.

Expected Result

A frame named 'Tablet View' sized 768x1024 px appears in your Figma file.

3

Step 3: Create a new frame in Figma for the Desktop View.

Set frame size to Width=1440 px and Height=900 px. Name the frame 'Desktop View'.

Expected Result

A frame named 'Desktop View' sized 1440x900 px appears in your Figma file.

4

Step 4: Copy the dashboard wireframe into each frame and adjust layout elements to fit each device size.

For Mobile View, stack elements vertically and use larger touch targets. For Tablet View, arrange elements in two columns. For Desktop View, use full width with multiple columns.

Expected Result

Each frame shows the dashboard layout optimized for its device size, ensuring readability and usability.

5

Step 5: Add labels and titles to each frame for clarity.

Add text labels 'Mobile View', 'Tablet View', and 'Desktop View' at the top of each frame.

Expected Result

Each frame is clearly labeled with its device type for easy identification.

Final Result

┌───────────────────────────────┐   ┌───────────────────────────────┐   ┌───────────────────────────────┐
│        Mobile View (375x812)   │   │        Tablet View (768x1024)  │   │       Desktop View (1440x900) │
│  [Stacked dashboard elements]  │   │  [Two-column dashboard layout]│   │  [Multi-column dashboard layout]│
│                               │   │                               │   │                               │
└───────────────────────────────┘   └───────────────────────────────┘   └───────────────────────────────┘

✓Mobile frame uses vertical stacking for easy scrolling and touch interaction.

✓Tablet frame balances space with two columns for better content display.

✓Desktop frame uses wide layout with multiple columns for full data visibility.

Bonus Challenge

Create interactive prototype links in Figma to switch between device views.

Show Hint

Use Figma's Prototype tab to link frames with 'On Click' interactions for smooth device view switching.

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