Inner shadow effect 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 a visually appealing KPI card with an inner shadow effect to highlight key metrics on the dashboard.

📊 Data: You have the KPI values such as Sales, Profit, and Customer Satisfaction scores to display on cards.

🎯 Deliverable: Design a KPI card in Figma that uses the inner shadow effect to make the card stand out and look modern.

Sample Data

KPI	Value
Sales	$120,000
Profit	$30,000
Customer Satisfaction	85%

1

Step 1: Create a rectangle shape in Figma to serve as the KPI card background.

Use the Rectangle tool, set size to 300px width and 150px height, fill color #FFFFFF (white).

Expected Result

A white rectangle appears on the canvas sized 300x150 pixels.

2

Step 2: Add the KPI text and value inside the rectangle.

Use the Text tool to add 'Sales' and '$120,000' with font size 24px and color #333333.

Expected Result

The KPI name and value appear clearly inside the rectangle.

3

Step 3: Apply the inner shadow effect to the rectangle to create depth.

Select the rectangle, go to Effects panel, click '+' and choose 'Inner shadow'. Set color to rgba(0,0,0,0.25), X offset 0, Y offset 2, Blur 4, Spread 0.

Expected Result

The rectangle shows a subtle dark shadow inside its edges, giving a recessed look.

4

Step 4: Adjust the inner shadow settings for a softer effect if needed.

Reduce the shadow opacity to 15% and increase blur to 6 for a gentle inner shadow.

Expected Result

The inner shadow looks smooth and enhances the card without overpowering the content.

5

Step 5: Duplicate the card and update KPI text and values for Profit and Customer Satisfaction.

Copy the rectangle and text, change text to 'Profit' and '$30,000', then 'Customer Satisfaction' and '85%'.

Expected Result

Three KPI cards with consistent inner shadow effect and updated data appear side by side.

Final Result

┌───────────────────────────────┐  ┌───────────────────────────────┐  ┌───────────────────────────────┐
│ Sales                        │  │ Profit                       │  │ Customer Satisfaction         │
│ $120,000                    │  │ $30,000                     │  │ 85%                          │
│  (inner shadow effect)       │  │  (inner shadow effect)       │  │  (inner shadow effect)       │
└───────────────────────────────┘  └───────────────────────────────┘  └───────────────────────────────┘

✓Inner shadow effect adds depth and focus to KPI cards.

✓Consistent styling improves dashboard visual appeal.

✓Subtle shadows help highlight important metrics without distraction.

Bonus Challenge

Create a hover state for the KPI card that intensifies the inner shadow effect to highlight the card when the mouse is over it.

Show Hint

In Figma, duplicate the card, increase the inner shadow opacity and blur, then use prototyping to switch states on hover.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using the Inner shadow effect in Figma designs?

easy

A. To change the background color of the canvas

B. To create a glowing outline around objects

C. To add depth inside shapes for a 3D look

D. To add a drop shadow outside the shape

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the effect purpose

   Inner shadow is used to create a shadow inside the edges of a shape, giving it depth.

2. Step 2: Compare with other shadow types

   Unlike drop shadow which is outside, inner shadow is inside the shape, creating a 3D effect.

3. Final Answer:

   To add depth inside shapes for a 3D look -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Inner shadow = depth inside shape [OK]

Hint: Inner shadow = shadow inside shape edges [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing inner shadow with drop shadow
• Thinking it changes background color
• Assuming it creates outer glow

2. Which of the following is the correct way to adjust the Inner shadow effect in Figma?

easy

A. Use the stroke tool to add inner shadow

B. Only change the color of the shadow

C. Apply a gradient fill to create inner shadow

D. Change color, opacity, blur, and offset values

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify adjustable properties

   Inner shadow effect allows changing color, opacity, blur, and offset to customize appearance.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect methods

   Stroke tool and gradient fill do not create inner shadows; only effect settings do.

3. Final Answer:

   Change color, opacity, blur, and offset values -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Adjust inner shadow with color, opacity, blur, offset [OK]

Hint: Adjust four settings: color, opacity, blur, offset [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to use stroke or fill for inner shadow
• Changing only color without blur or offset
• Confusing inner shadow with outer shadow settings

3. Given a rectangle with an inner shadow effect set to color black, opacity 50%, blur 10, and offset X=5, Y=5, what visual result will you see?

medium

A. A soft black shadow inside the bottom-right edges of the rectangle

B. A sharp black shadow outside the top-left edges of the rectangle

C. A glowing black outline around the rectangle

D. No visible shadow effect

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze inner shadow parameters

   Color black with 50% opacity means a semi-transparent black shadow. Blur 10 makes it soft. Offset X=5, Y=5 moves shadow inside bottom-right edges.

2. Step 2: Understand shadow placement

   Inner shadow appears inside shape edges, offset moves it to bottom-right inside edges, so shadow is soft and inside bottom-right.

3. Final Answer:

   A soft black shadow inside the bottom-right edges of the rectangle -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Inner shadow offset inside bottom-right = soft black shadow inside edges [OK]

Hint: Offset moves shadow inside edges direction [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking shadow is outside shape edges
• Ignoring blur effect making shadow soft
• Confusing opacity with color darkness

4. You applied an inner shadow effect but it is not visible on your shape. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. The shadow color opacity is set to 0%

B. The blur value is too high

C. The offset values are negative

D. The shape has no fill color

Solution

1. Step 1: Check opacity impact

   If shadow opacity is 0%, the shadow is fully transparent and invisible.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   High blur softens shadow but does not hide it; negative offset moves shadow inside but still visible; no fill color does not hide inner shadow.

3. Final Answer:

   The shadow color opacity is set to 0% -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Opacity 0% = invisible shadow [OK]

Hint: Check opacity first if shadow is invisible [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming blur hides shadow completely
• Thinking negative offset removes shadow
• Believing fill color affects shadow visibility

5. You want to create a button with a subtle inner shadow that looks like it is pressed inward. Which combination of inner shadow settings is best?

hard

A. Color: white, Opacity: 80%, Blur: 20, Offset X: -10, Offset Y: -10

B. Color: dark gray, Opacity: 30%, Blur: 5, Offset X: 2, Offset Y: 2

C. Color: black, Opacity: 100%, Blur: 0, Offset X: 0, Offset Y: 0

D. Color: red, Opacity: 50%, Blur: 15, Offset X: 10, Offset Y: 10

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand pressed button look

   A subtle inner shadow uses a dark gray color with low opacity and small blur and offset to create a gentle depth effect.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   Color: dark gray, Opacity: 30%, Blur: 5, Offset X: 2, Offset Y: 2 fits subtle pressed look with low opacity and small offset. Color: white, Opacity: 80%, Blur: 20, Offset X: -10, Offset Y: -10 is too bright and large offset. Color: black, Opacity: 100%, Blur: 0, Offset X: 0, Offset Y: 0 is harsh with no blur. Color: red, Opacity: 50%, Blur: 15, Offset X: 10, Offset Y: 10 uses red which is unusual for shadow.

3. Final Answer:

   Color: dark gray, Opacity: 30%, Blur: 5, Offset X: 2, Offset Y: 2 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Subtle inner shadow = low opacity, small blur, small offset [OK]

Hint: Use low opacity and small offset for subtle inner shadow [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using full opacity makes shadow harsh
• Using bright colors for inner shadow
• Setting zero blur makes shadow sharp and unnatural