Why First Figma design? - Purpose & Use Cases

The Big Idea

What if you could design your dashboard once and have everyone instantly understand and improve it together?

The Scenario

Imagine trying to explain your dashboard layout by drawing it on paper or using scattered screenshots. You send emails back and forth, hoping everyone understands your vision.

The Problem

This manual way is slow and confusing. Changes get lost, versions mix up, and collaboration feels like a guessing game. It's hard to keep track of feedback and updates.

The Solution

With your first Figma design, you create a clear, interactive visual of your dashboard. Everyone sees the same thing, can comment directly, and you can update instantly. It makes teamwork smooth and fast.

Before vs After

✗ Before

Draw dashboard on paper
Email photos back and forth

✓ After

Create dashboard mockup in Figma
Share link for live feedback

What It Enables

It enables real-time collaboration and clear communication on dashboard designs, saving time and avoiding misunderstandings.

Real Life Example

A BI team designs a sales report dashboard in Figma, shares it with stakeholders, and quickly adjusts based on their comments--all without confusing email chains.

Key Takeaways

Manual design sharing is slow and error-prone.

Figma centralizes design and feedback in one place.

First Figma design boosts teamwork and speeds up delivery.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using Figma in Business Intelligence dashboard projects?

easy

A. To perform data cleaning and transformation

B. To write SQL queries for data extraction

C. To plan and share dashboard designs before building

D. To run complex data models and calculations

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Figma's role in BI projects

   Figma is a design tool used to create and share visual layouts before actual development.

2. Step 2: Compare options with Figma's function

   Only planning and sharing dashboard designs fits Figma's purpose; others relate to data processing.

3. Final Answer:

   To plan and share dashboard designs before building -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Figma = design planning and sharing [OK]

Hint: Remember: Figma is for design, not data processing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Figma with data tools like SQL or Excel
• Thinking Figma runs calculations or data models
• Assuming Figma cleans or transforms data

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a frame in Figma?

easy

A. Import a frame from Excel

B. Write <frame> tags in the code editor

C. Use the SQL command CREATE FRAME

D. Select the Frame tool and drag on the canvas

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how frames are created in Figma

   Frames are created by selecting the Frame tool and dragging on the canvas area.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Options A, B, and C relate to Excel, coding, or SQL, which are not how Figma frames are made.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the Frame tool and drag on the canvas -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Frame creation = Frame tool drag [OK]

Hint: Use the Frame tool button, not code or SQL [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to code frames instead of using the tool
• Confusing Figma with programming or database commands
• Looking for import options instead of drawing

3. Given a Figma design with a frame containing a rectangle and a text label, what will happen if you move the frame?

medium

A. The frame and all its contents move together

B. Only the frame moves, rectangle and text stay in place

C. Only the rectangle moves, text stays fixed

D. The text moves but the rectangle stays fixed

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand frame grouping in Figma

   A frame groups its contents so moving the frame moves everything inside it.

2. Step 2: Apply this to the rectangle and text inside the frame

   Both rectangle and text are inside the frame, so they move together with it.

3. Final Answer:

   The frame and all its contents move together -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Frame moves contents together = The frame and all its contents move together [OK]

Hint: Remember: Frames act like groups moving all inside [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking only the frame moves but contents stay
• Assuming individual elements move separately
• Confusing frames with layers that are not grouped

4. You created a component in Figma but when you edit one instance, the others do not update. What is the likely problem?

medium

A. You edited an instance instead of the main component

B. You forgot to save the file

C. You need to restart Figma to apply changes

D. Components cannot be edited after creation

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand component behavior in Figma

   Editing the main component updates all instances; editing an instance changes only that one.

2. Step 2: Identify the cause of no update

   If other instances don't update, likely you edited an instance, not the main component.

3. Final Answer:

   You edited an instance instead of the main component -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Edit main component to update all instances [OK]

Hint: Edit main component, not instances, to update all [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Editing instances expecting all to update
• Thinking saving or restarting fixes component updates
• Believing components are uneditable after creation

5. You want to share your Figma dashboard design with a team member for feedback but want to restrict editing. Which sharing option should you choose?

hard

A. Export as PNG and email it

B. Share with 'Can view' permission

C. Share with 'Can edit' permission

D. Duplicate the file and send the copy

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Figma sharing permissions

   'Can view' allows others to see but not change the design; 'Can edit' allows changes.

2. Step 2: Choose the option that restricts editing but allows feedback

   Sharing with 'Can view' lets team members comment and review without editing.

3. Final Answer:

   Share with 'Can view' permission -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Restrict editing = 'Can view' sharing [OK]

Hint: Use 'Can view' to share without edit rights [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Giving 'Can edit' permission by mistake
• Sending static images instead of live designs
• Duplicating files unnecessarily causing confusion