Creating components in Figma - Quick Revision & Summary

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a component in Figma?

A component is a reusable design element that you can use multiple times across your designs. It helps keep consistency and makes updates easier.

beginner

How do you create a component in Figma?

Select the design elements you want to reuse, then right-click and choose 'Create Component' or press Ctrl+Alt+K (Windows) / Cmd+Option+K (Mac).

intermediate

What is the difference between a component and an instance in Figma?

A component is the original design element. An instance is a copy of that component that you can place in your design. Changes to the component update all instances.

beginner

Why should you use components in your Figma projects?

Using components saves time, ensures design consistency, and makes it easy to update multiple places by changing just one component.

intermediate

What is a component set in Figma?

A component set groups related components, like buttons with different states (normal, hover, pressed), so you can switch between variants easily.

How do you create a component from selected elements in Figma?

A Use the paint bucket tool

B Press Ctrl+S to save

C Right-click and select 'Create Component'

D Drag elements to the assets panel

Right-clicking on selected elements and choosing 'Create Component' is the correct way to create a component in Figma.

What happens when you edit a main component in Figma?

A Only the main component changes

B All instances update automatically

C Nothing changes in instances

D Instances get deleted

Editing the main component updates all its instances to keep designs consistent.

Which shortcut creates a component on Mac?

A Cmd+S

B Cmd+Alt+L

C Cmd+Shift+C

D Cmd+Option+K

Cmd+Option+K is the shortcut to create a component on Mac in Figma.

What is an instance in Figma?

A A copy of a component

B A new file

C A color style

D A text layer

An instance is a copy of a component that inherits its properties.

What is the benefit of using component sets (variants)?

A Easily switch between related component states

B Create multiple files

C Change colors faster

D Add animations

Component sets let you group related components to switch between states like hover or pressed easily.

Explain what a component is in Figma and why it is useful.

Think about how using the same button design multiple times can be managed.

Describe the steps to create a component and use its instances in a Figma project.

Focus on the workflow from design to reuse.

Practice

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

easy

A. It removes all unused colors from your design.

B. You can reuse design parts easily across your project.

C. It converts your design into code instantly.

D. It automatically creates animations for your design.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of components

   Components are reusable design elements that help maintain consistency.

2. Step 2: Identify the main benefit

   Reusing parts saves time and keeps designs uniform.

3. Final Answer:

   You can reuse design parts easily across your project. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Components = Reuse design parts easily [OK]

Hint: Components help reuse design parts fast [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking components create animations automatically
• Believing components convert designs to code
• Assuming components clean unused colors

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

easy

A. Drag layers into the assets panel without selection.

B. Select layers and press Ctrl + G to group them.

C. Right-click and choose 'Export' to create a component.

D. Select layers and press Ctrl + Alt + K to create a component.

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the shortcut for creating components

   In Figma, Ctrl + Alt + K (Cmd + Option + K on Mac) creates a component from selected layers.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Grouping (Ctrl + G) groups layers but does not create components; exporting saves files; dragging without selection won't create components.

3. Final Answer:

   Select layers and press Ctrl + Alt + K to create a component. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Create component shortcut = Ctrl + Alt + K [OK]

Hint: Use Ctrl+Alt+K to create components quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing grouping with component creation
• Trying to export instead of creating components
• Dragging layers without selecting them

3. If you edit the main component's color from blue to red, what happens to its instances?

medium

A. All instances update to red automatically.

B. Only new instances will be red; old ones stay blue.

C. Instances keep blue unless manually changed.

D. Instances get deleted and replaced with red shapes.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand component-instance relationship

   Instances inherit properties from the main component unless overridden.

2. Step 2: Apply the color change effect

   Changing the main component's color updates all instances automatically to keep consistency.

3. Final Answer:

   All instances update to red automatically. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Main component edit updates all instances [OK]

Hint: Edit main component to update all instances [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking old instances stay unchanged
• Believing instances must be manually updated
• Assuming instances get deleted on edit

4. You created a component but instances do not update after editing the main component. What is the likely issue?

medium

A. You forgot to save the file after editing.

B. You created a group instead of a component.

C. You edited an instance instead of the main component.

D. You used the wrong shortcut to create the component.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify difference between main component and instance

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

2. Step 2: Diagnose why instances don't update

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

3. Final Answer:

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

4. Quick Check:

   Edit main component, not instance, to update all [OK]

Hint: Always edit main component, not instances [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Editing instances expecting all to update
• Assuming saving file triggers updates
• Confusing groups with components

5. You want to create a button component with two states: normal and hover. How should you organize components in Figma for easy reuse and switching?

hard

A. Create a main button component and use variants for normal and hover states.

B. Create two separate components named 'Button Normal' and 'Button Hover' without linking.

C. Group two buttons in a frame and use that as a component.

D. Create instances of the button and manually change colors for hover.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand component variants in Figma

   Variants allow multiple states inside one component for easy switching.

2. Step 2: Apply variants to button states

   Create a main button component with variants for normal and hover to reuse and switch states efficiently.

3. Final Answer:

   Create a main button component and use variants for normal and hover states. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use variants for multiple component states [OK]

Hint: Use variants to manage component states easily [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Creating separate unlinked components for states
• Grouping buttons instead of using variants
• Manually changing instances for hover state