Grid styles in Figma - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a BI dashboard designer at a retail company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants a clean, organized dashboard layout using grid styles to display sales KPIs clearly.

📊 Data: You have sales data by region, product category, and month. The dashboard will show total sales, sales growth, and top products.

🎯 Deliverable: Create a dashboard layout in Figma using grid styles to arrange charts and KPI cards neatly and responsively.

Sample Data

Region	Category	Month	Sales
North	Electronics	Jan	12000
North	Clothing	Jan	8000
South	Electronics	Jan	15000
South	Clothing	Jan	7000
North	Electronics	Feb	13000
North	Clothing	Feb	8500
South	Electronics	Feb	16000
South	Clothing	Feb	7500

1

Step 1: Open Figma and create a new frame sized 1200px wide by 800px tall for the dashboard.

Set frame size: Width=1200px, Height=800px

Expected Result

A blank frame of 1200x800 pixels appears.

2

Step 2: Apply a 12-column grid to the frame for flexible layout.

Select frame > Layout Grid > Add Grid > Change grid type to Columns > Set count=12, Gutter=20px, Margin=40px

Expected Result

The frame shows 12 vertical columns with 20px gutters and 40px margins on sides.

3

Step 3: Create a header area spanning all 12 columns at the top for the dashboard title.

Draw a rectangle at top, width=frame width minus margins, height=80px, spanning columns 1 to 12

Expected Result

A header bar appears across the top full width inside margins.

4

Step 4: Add three KPI cards below the header, each spanning 4 columns with 20px gutters between them.

Create 3 rectangles side by side, each width=(frame width - 2*margins - 2*gutters)/3, height=120px, aligned to columns 1-4, 5-8, 9-12

Expected Result

Three equally sized KPI cards appear in a row below the header with consistent spacing.

5

Step 5: Place a sales trend line chart below the KPI cards spanning 8 columns on the left side.

Draw a rectangle spanning columns 1 to 8, height=300px, positioned below KPI cards

Expected Result

A large area for the sales trend chart appears on the left below KPI cards.

6

Step 6: Add a top products bar chart spanning 4 columns on the right side next to the sales trend chart.

Draw a rectangle spanning columns 9 to 12, height=300px, aligned with sales trend chart top

Expected Result

A smaller chart area appears on the right side next to the sales trend chart.

7

Step 7: Ensure all elements align to the grid columns and gutters for consistent spacing.

Use snapping to grid columns and gutters for all shapes and text

Expected Result

All dashboard elements line up perfectly with the grid, creating a clean layout.

8

Step 8: Make the layout responsive by setting constraints on elements to resize or stay fixed when frame width changes.

Set header and KPI cards to scale horizontally, charts to scale or stay fixed width as needed

Expected Result

Dashboard layout adjusts gracefully when frame width changes.

Final Result

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                      Dashboard Title                         │
├──────────────┬──────────────┬──────────────┬───────────────┤
│ KPI Card 1   │ KPI Card 2   │ KPI Card 3   │               │
├──────────────┴──────────────┴──────────────┤               │
│ Sales Trend Chart (8 cols)                  │ Top Products  │
│                                            │ Bar Chart (4) │
│                                            │               │
└────────────────────────────────────────────┴───────────────┘

✓Using a 12-column grid helps organize dashboard elements evenly.

✓Consistent gutters and margins create balanced spacing.

✓Responsive constraints keep layout neat on different screen sizes.

✓Grid styles improve readability and user experience.

Bonus Challenge

Add a filter panel on the left side spanning 2 columns that allows users to filter data by region and month.

Show Hint

Use the grid to place the filter panel to the left of the sales trend chart, adjusting chart width accordingly.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using Grid styles in Figma when designing dashboards?

easy

A. To organize visuals into columns, rows, or grids for neat layouts

B. To add animations to dashboard elements

C. To change the color scheme of the dashboard

D. To create interactive buttons

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what grid styles do

   Grid styles help arrange elements in columns, rows, or grids to keep the design organized.

2. Step 2: Identify the main purpose in dashboard design

   They ensure visuals are balanced and easy to read by controlling spacing and alignment.

3. Final Answer:

   To organize visuals into columns, rows, or grids for neat layouts -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Grid styles = organize visuals neatly [OK]

Hint: Grid styles arrange elements neatly in rows and columns [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing grid styles with color or animation features
• Thinking grid styles add interactivity
• Assuming grid styles change fonts or colors

2. Which of the following is the correct way to apply a grid style in Figma?

easy

A. Select the frame, then click '+' next to Layout Grid and choose a grid style

B. Right-click the frame and select 'Add Color Style'

C. Drag and drop a grid from the assets panel onto the canvas

D. Use the text tool to type 'grid' inside the frame

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall how to add grid styles in Figma

   You add grid styles by selecting a frame and clicking the '+' button next to Layout Grid in the properties panel.

2. Step 2: Identify the correct method from options

   Select the frame, then click '+' next to Layout Grid and choose a grid style correctly describes this process; others describe unrelated actions.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the frame, then click '+' next to Layout Grid and choose a grid style -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Adding grid = '+' next to Layout Grid [OK]

Hint: Add grid via '+' next to Layout Grid in frame properties [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing grid styles with color or text tools
• Trying to drag grids from assets panel (not possible)
• Using right-click menu for grid styles

3. Given a frame with a 12-column grid style applied with 20px gutters and 40px margins, what happens if you increase the gutter size to 40px?

medium

A. Margins increase but columns stay the same width

B. Columns become narrower, and spacing between columns increases

C. Columns become wider, and spacing between columns decreases

D. Grid disappears from the frame

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand gutter effect on columns

   Increasing gutter size means more space between columns, so columns get narrower to fit the frame width.

2. Step 2: Analyze the impact on margins and grid visibility

   Margins stay the same unless changed; grid does not disappear when gutter changes.

3. Final Answer:

   Columns become narrower, and spacing between columns increases -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Increase gutter = wider gaps, narrower columns [OK]

Hint: Bigger gutters = wider gaps, narrower columns [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming columns get wider with bigger gutters
• Thinking margins change automatically
• Believing grid disappears when gutters change

4. You applied a grid style to a frame, but the grid lines are not visible. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The frame has no fill color

B. The grid style is applied to a different frame

C. The frame is locked

D. Grid opacity is set to 0%

Solution

1. Step 1: Check grid visibility settings

   If grid lines are invisible, opacity might be set to 0%, making them fully transparent.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   No fill color or locked frame does not hide grid lines; applying grid to another frame means no grid on current frame but less likely if user expects it here.

3. Final Answer:

   Grid opacity is set to 0% -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Invisible grid = opacity 0% [OK]

Hint: Check grid opacity if grid lines are invisible [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking frame fill affects grid visibility
• Assuming locked frame hides grids
• Not verifying grid applied to correct frame

5. You want to design a dashboard with a balanced layout using grid styles. Which combination of grid settings best helps achieve consistent spacing and alignment across different screen sizes?

hard

A. Use a grid with rows only and no columns

B. Use a 6-column grid with no gutters and fixed 100px margins

C. Use a 12-column grid with fixed 24px gutters and 48px margins, and enable 'Stretch' for columns

D. Use a 12-column grid with variable gutters and zero margins

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify grid settings for balanced layout

   A 12-column grid is standard for dashboards, allowing flexible content placement. Fixed gutters and margins keep spacing consistent.

2. Step 2: Understand 'Stretch' for responsiveness

   Enabling 'Stretch' lets columns adjust width on different screen sizes, maintaining alignment and balance.

3. Final Answer:

   Use a 12-column grid with fixed 24px gutters and 48px margins, and enable 'Stretch' for columns -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   12 columns + fixed gutters + stretch = balanced responsive layout [OK]

Hint: Use 12 columns, fixed gutters, margins, and stretch for balance [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using no gutters causes cramped layout
• Zero margins make content touch edges
• Ignoring responsiveness by not stretching columns