Color styles in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a color style in Figma?

A color style in Figma is a saved color that you can reuse across your designs. It helps keep colors consistent and easy to update.

beginner

How do color styles help in business intelligence dashboards?

Color styles ensure consistent use of colors for charts and visuals, making dashboards easier to read and understand.

intermediate

How can you update a color style in Figma?

You update a color style by editing it once, and all elements using that style will automatically update to the new color.

intermediate

Why is it important to use color styles instead of manual colors in BI reports?

Using color styles avoids mistakes, saves time, and keeps the report visually consistent, which helps viewers focus on the data.

advanced

What is the difference between local and shared color styles in Figma?

Local color styles are saved in one file only, while shared color styles can be used across multiple files and projects.

What happens when you change a color style in Figma?

A All elements using that style update automatically

B Only the selected element changes color

C You must manually change each element's color

D The color style is deleted

Changing a color style updates all elements using that style automatically, ensuring consistency.

Why use color styles in BI dashboards?

A To avoid using colors

B To make colors random

C To increase file size

D To keep colors consistent and easy to update

Color styles keep colors consistent and make it easy to update colors across the dashboard.

Which is a benefit of shared color styles?

A They can be used across multiple files

B They slow down the design process

C They cannot be edited

D They only work in one file

Shared color styles can be used across multiple files, helping maintain consistency in large projects.

What is a risk of not using color styles?

A Design files become smaller

B Colors will update automatically

C Colors may become inconsistent

D Colors become more accessible

Without color styles, colors may be applied manually and inconsistently, causing confusion.

How do color styles improve accessibility in BI reports?

A By using random colors

B By ensuring consistent color contrast

C By removing all colors

D By using only bright colors

Consistent color styles help maintain proper contrast, making reports easier to read for everyone.

Explain how color styles help maintain consistency in business intelligence dashboards.

Think about how one change affects all related elements.

Describe the difference between local and shared color styles in Figma and why each might be used.

Consider scope and collaboration needs.

Practice

1. What is the main benefit of using Color Styles in Figma?

easy

A. They add animations to elements.

B. They automatically create new shapes.

C. They change font sizes globally.

D. They keep colors consistent across your design.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of Color Styles

   Color Styles are used to keep colors consistent in a design project.

2. Step 2: Compare options with the purpose

   Only 'They keep colors consistent across your design.' correctly states that Color Styles keep colors consistent.

3. Final Answer:

   They keep colors consistent across your design. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Color Styles = Consistent colors [OK]

Hint: Color Styles = consistent colors everywhere [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing color styles with font or shape features
• Thinking color styles create animations
• Assuming color styles change font sizes

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a new color style in Figma?

easy

A. Select a shape with a fill color, then click 'Create Style' in the Fill section.

B. Draw a rectangle and rename it to 'Color Style'.

C. Change the font color and save it as a style.

D. Right-click on the canvas and select 'New Color Style' from the menu.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to create a color style

   In Figma, you create a color style by selecting an object with a fill color and clicking 'Create Style' in the Fill section.

2. Step 2: Evaluate each option

   'Select a shape with a fill color, then click "Create Style" in the Fill section.' matches the correct method. Options B, C, and D describe incorrect or impossible actions.

3. Final Answer:

   Select a shape with a fill color, then click 'Create Style' in the Fill section. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Create Style button in Fill = new color style [OK]

Hint: Use 'Create Style' button on fill color [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to create color style by renaming shapes
• Assuming font color changes create color styles
• Looking for 'New Color Style' in right-click menu

3. If you update a color style named Primary Blue, what happens to all elements using this style?

medium

A. All elements using Primary Blue update automatically.

B. Elements keep their old color unless manually changed.

C. Only new elements will use the updated color.

D. The color style is deleted after update.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand color style updates

   When a color style is updated, all elements using that style update automatically to reflect the change.

2. Step 2: Analyze each option

   All elements using Primary Blue update automatically. correctly states this behavior. Options A and B are incorrect because changes apply immediately to all linked elements. The color style is deleted after update. is false; updating does not delete the style.

3. Final Answer:

   All elements using Primary Blue update automatically. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Update color style = auto update all elements [OK]

Hint: Update color style updates all linked elements [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking only new elements update
• Believing manual change is needed after update
• Confusing update with deletion

4. You tried to update a color style, but the elements did not change color. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. You updated the wrong color style name.

B. Figma does not support updating color styles.

C. The elements are not using the color style but have fixed colors.

D. You need to restart Figma to see changes.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify why elements don't update

   If elements have fixed colors (not linked to a color style), updating the style won't affect them.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   You updated the wrong color style name. could be possible but less likely if you are sure of the style name. Figma does not support updating color styles. is false; Figma supports updates. You need to restart Figma to see changes. is unnecessary.

3. Final Answer:

   The elements are not using the color style but have fixed colors. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Fixed colors ignore style updates [OK]

Hint: Check if elements use style or fixed color [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming Figma needs restart
• Confusing style update support
• Not verifying element color source

5. You have a design with multiple color styles for buttons: Primary, Secondary, and Accent. You want to change all buttons to a new shade of blue without changing other elements. What is the best approach?

hard

A. Manually change the fill color of each button individually.

B. Create a new color style named Button Blue and apply it to all buttons, then update it as needed.

C. Update the Primary, Secondary, and Accent color styles to the new blue shade.

D. Delete all existing color styles and create new ones.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the goal

   You want to change button colors without affecting other elements using existing styles.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options

   Update the Primary, Secondary, and Accent color styles to the new blue shade. changes all elements using those styles, not just buttons. Manually change the fill color of each button individually. is manual and inefficient. Delete all existing color styles and create new ones. is disruptive. Create a new color style named Button Blue and apply it to all buttons, then update it as needed. creates a dedicated style for buttons, allowing easy updates without affecting others.

3. Final Answer:

   Create a new color style named Button Blue and apply it to all buttons, then update it as needed. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use dedicated color style for buttons [OK]

Hint: Use dedicated color style for buttons to isolate changes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Updating shared styles affecting unrelated elements
• Changing colors manually one by one
• Deleting styles unnecessarily