Inner shadow effect in Figma - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to add an inner shadow effect in Figma.

Figma

frame.effects = [{ type: '[1]', color: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 0.5 }, offset: { x: 0, y: 2 }, radius: 4, spread: 0 }]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

ADROP_SHADOW

BBACKGROUND_BLUR

CLAYER_BLUR

DINNER_SHADOW

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using DROP_SHADOW instead of INNER_SHADOW

Confusing blur effects with shadow effects

The correct effect type for an inner shadow in Figma is INNER_SHADOW.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the code to set the shadow offset to 5 pixels right and 3 pixels down.

Figma

frame.effects = [{ type: 'INNER_SHADOW', offset: { x: [1], y: [2] }, color: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 0.3 }, radius: 6 }]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A3

B5

C-5

D-3

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using negative values which move shadow left or up

Swapping x and y values

The offset x should be 5 (right) and y should be 3 (down) to position the inner shadow correctly.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the code to correctly apply an inner shadow with 10 radius.

Figma

frame.effects = [{ type: 'INNER_SHADOW', radius: [1], color: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: 0.4 }, offset: { x: 0, y: 0 } }]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A'10px'

B10

C0.1

D'ten'

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using string values like '10px' or 'ten' instead of number 10

Using decimal values that are too small

The radius value must be a number without quotes. Using 10 sets the shadow blur radius correctly.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create an inner shadow with 50% opacity and a spread of 2.

Figma

frame.effects = [{ type: 'INNER_SHADOW', color: { r: 0, g: 0, b: 0, a: [1] }, spread: [2], offset: { x: 1, y: 1 }, radius: 5 }]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A0.5

B1

C2

D0.2

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 1 for opacity which is fully opaque

Confusing spread with radius

Opacity is 0.5 for 50%, and spread is set to 2 for the shadow spread.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to define an inner shadow with red color, 0.3 opacity, and offset 4 pixels left and 2 pixels up.

Figma

frame.effects = [{ type: 'INNER_SHADOW', color: { r: [1], g: [2], b: [3], a: 0.3 }, offset: { x: -4, y: -2 }, radius: 7 }]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A1

B0

C0.5

D255

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using 255 instead of normalized 1 for color values

Mixing up RGB channels

Red color is full red (1), no green (0), no blue (0) in normalized RGB values.

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