Polygon and star shapes in Figma - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Polygon and star shapes

Goal

Understand how to create and use polygon and star shapes in Figma to enhance dashboard visuals.

Sample Data

Shape	Number of Sides/Points	Color	Size (px)
Triangle (Polygon)	3	Blue	100
Square (Polygon)	4	Green	100
Pentagon (Polygon)	5	Orange	100
Star	5	Red	100
Star	6	Purple	100

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Shows the count of each shape type using text labels.
• Polygon Shapes: Visual shapes created with polygon tool set to 3, 4, and 5 sides, colored as per data.
• Star Shapes: Visual shapes created with star tool set to 5 and 6 points, colored as per data.
• Size Control Slider: A slider to adjust the size of all shapes simultaneously (100px default).

Dashboard Layout

+-----------------------------+
| KPI Card (Shape Counts)      |
+-----------------------------+
|  Polygon Shapes  | Star Shapes|
|  (3,4,5 sides)   | (5,6 points)|
+-----------------------------+
|      Size Control Slider      |
+-----------------------------+

Interactivity

The size control slider changes the size of all polygon and star shapes at once, updating their width and height in real time.

Clicking on a shape highlights it and shows its details in the KPI card area.

Self Check

If you move the size control slider to 150px, what happens to the shapes? (Answer: All polygon and star shapes increase in size to 150px width and height.)

If you click on the orange pentagon, which component updates? (Answer: The KPI card updates to highlight the pentagon count and details.)

Key Result

Dashboard showing polygon and star shapes with adjustable size and shape count KPIs.

Practice

1. What does increasing the number of sides in a polygon shape in Figma do to its appearance?

easy

A. It changes the color of the shape.

B. It makes the shape look more like a star.

C. It makes the shape look more like a circle.

D. It adds more points to the star shape.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand polygon sides effect

   Increasing sides adds more edges, making the polygon smoother and closer to a circle.

2. Step 2: Compare with star points

   Stars add points outward, polygons add sides around evenly; more sides mean rounder shape.

3. Final Answer:

   It makes the shape look more like a circle. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   More polygon sides = closer to circle [OK]

Hint: More polygon sides = smoother, circle-like shape [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing polygon sides with star points
• Thinking color changes with sides
• Assuming star points increase with polygon sides

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a 5-point star shape in Figma?

easy

A. Select the star tool and set points to 5.

B. Select the polygon tool and set sides to 5.

C. Draw a circle and add 5 lines inside.

D. Use the rectangle tool and round corners to 5.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify star creation method

   Figma's star tool lets you set the number of points directly, so setting points to 5 creates a 5-point star.

2. Step 2: Differentiate polygon and star tools

   Polygon tool sets sides, not star points; circle and rectangle tools do not create stars.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the star tool and set points to 5. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Star tool + 5 points = 5-point star [OK]

Hint: Use star tool, set points for star shape [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using polygon tool instead of star tool
• Trying to create star from circle or rectangle
• Confusing sides with points

3. If you create a polygon with 6 sides and then increase the corner radius to half the side length, what shape will you see?

medium

A. A hexagon with sharp corners.

B. A star with 6 points.

C. A circle.

D. A hexagon with rounded corners.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand polygon sides and corner radius

   A polygon with 6 sides is a hexagon. Increasing corner radius rounds its corners.

2. Step 2: Effect of corner radius size

   Setting corner radius to half the side length rounds corners but keeps hexagon shape, not a circle or star.

3. Final Answer:

   A hexagon with rounded corners. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   6 sides + corner radius = rounded hexagon [OK]

Hint: Corner radius rounds polygon corners, doesn't change shape type [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it becomes a circle
• Confusing polygon with star shape
• Ignoring corner radius effect

4. You tried to create a star shape but it looks like a polygon. What is the most likely mistake?

medium

A. You used the polygon tool instead of the star tool.

B. You set the star points to 3.

C. You increased the corner radius too much.

D. You changed the fill color to transparent.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify tool used

   Using the polygon tool creates polygons, not stars. To get a star shape, the star tool must be used.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   Setting star points to 3 still creates a star, corner radius affects corners but not shape type, fill color doesn't change shape form.

3. Final Answer:

   You used the polygon tool instead of the star tool. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Polygon tool ≠ star shape [OK]

Hint: Use star tool for stars, polygon tool for polygons [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing polygon and star tools
• Thinking corner radius changes shape type
• Assuming fill color affects shape form

5. You want to create a dashboard icon combining a 7-sided polygon and a 5-point star in Figma. Which steps correctly describe how to do this?

hard

A. Create a star with 7 points, create a polygon with 5 sides, then overlap them.

B. Create a polygon with 7 sides, create a star with 5 points, then group them.

C. Create a polygon with 5 sides, create a star with 7 points, then merge shapes.

D. Create two polygons with 7 sides, then rotate one by 36 degrees.

Solution

1. Step 1: Create polygon and star with correct sides and points

   Create a polygon shape and set sides to 7, then create a star shape and set points to 5.

2. Step 2: Combine shapes properly

   Group the two shapes to keep them together as one icon without merging paths.

3. Final Answer:

   Create a polygon with 7 sides, create a star with 5 points, then group them. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Polygon 7 sides + star 5 points + group = icon [OK]

Hint: Create shapes separately, then group to combine [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Mixing up polygon sides and star points
• Merging shapes instead of grouping
• Rotating polygons instead of using star shape