Smart animate in Figma - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a product designer working with the marketing team

📋 Request: Your manager wants an interactive prototype that smoothly shows changes between two screens to demonstrate a new sales dashboard

📊 Data: You have two Figma frames: one with the initial sales dashboard layout and another with updated data and filters applied

🎯 Deliverable: Create a Figma prototype using Smart Animate to transition between the two dashboard frames, highlighting changes in charts and filters

Sample Data

Frame	Element	Property	Value in Frame 1	Value in Frame 2
Dashboard 1	Bar Chart	Height	100px	150px
Dashboard 1	Filter Button	Color	#007AFF	#FF9500
Dashboard 1	Title Text	Position X	50px	70px
Dashboard 1	Sales Number	Value	5000	7500

1

Step 1: Open Figma and create two frames named 'Dashboard 1' and 'Dashboard 2' with the sales dashboard layouts

Place the bar chart, filter button, title text, and sales number in both frames with the properties as per sample data

Expected Result

Two frames with matching elements but different properties as described

2

Step 2: Select the Prototype tab in Figma and link 'Dashboard 1' to 'Dashboard 2' by dragging the node

Set Interaction to 'On Click', Navigate To 'Dashboard 2', Animation to 'Smart Animate', Duration 500ms, Easing 'Ease In Out'

Expected Result

Clicking on 'Dashboard 1' frame triggers a smooth animated transition to 'Dashboard 2'

3

Step 3: Ensure that elements have the same layer names in both frames to enable Smart Animate

Rename layers if needed so bar chart, filter button, title text, and sales number match exactly between frames

Expected Result

Smart Animate recognizes matching elements and animates their property changes

4

Step 4: Preview the prototype by clicking the Present button and test the animation

Click on the frame to see the bar chart height increase, filter button color change, title text move, and sales number update smoothly

Expected Result

A smooth, visually appealing transition that highlights the dashboard updates

Final Result

Click

↓

Bar Chart

↓

Filter Button

↓

Title Text

↓

Sales Number

✓Smart Animate creates smooth transitions by matching layer names and animating property changes

✓Consistent naming of elements is crucial for Smart Animate to work

✓Animations help stakeholders visually understand dashboard updates

Bonus Challenge

Add a third frame showing a filtered view with different chart types and use Smart Animate to transition through all three frames

Show Hint

Keep layer names consistent across all frames and experiment with easing options for smoother effects

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Smart animate in Figma prototypes?

easy

A. To change the background color of frames instantly

B. To add sound effects to prototypes

C. To create smooth transitions by matching layers between frames

D. To export designs as images

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Smart Animate function

   Smart animate matches layers between frames to create smooth transitions.

2. Step 2: Compare with other options

   Other options describe unrelated features like sound or export, not animation.

3. Final Answer:

   To create smooth transitions by matching layers between frames -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Smart animate = smooth layer transitions [OK]

Hint: Remember: Smart animate matches layers for smooth moves [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Smart animate with instant frame changes
• Thinking it adds sounds or exports files
• Ignoring the need for matching layer names

2. Which of the following is the correct way to enable Smart animate between two frames in Figma?

easy

A. Set the transition type to 'Smart animate' in the prototype tab

B. Rename all layers to random names

C. Disable all animations in the prototype settings

D. Export frames as PNG files

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate prototype transition settings

   In Figma, you enable Smart animate by choosing it as the transition type between frames.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Renaming layers randomly or disabling animations prevents Smart animate; exporting is unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   Set the transition type to 'Smart animate' in the prototype tab -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Enable Smart animate via transition type [OK]

Hint: Choose 'Smart animate' in prototype transitions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not selecting Smart animate as transition
• Changing layer names randomly
• Confusing export with animation settings

3. Given two frames with a rectangle named 'Box' in both, what will happen if you use Smart animate between them and change the rectangle's position from left to right?

medium

A. The rectangle will jump instantly to the new position

B. The animation will fail with an error

C. The rectangle will disappear and reappear

D. The rectangle will smoothly move from left to right

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify layer matching

   Both frames have a rectangle named 'Box', so Smart animate matches them.

2. Step 2: Understand Smart animate effect

   Smart animate smoothly transitions properties like position between matched layers.

3. Final Answer:

   The rectangle will smoothly move from left to right -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Matching layers animate smoothly [OK]

Hint: Matching layer names enable smooth movement [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting instant jumps instead of smooth moves
• Assuming layers disappear if names match
• Thinking animation causes errors without reason

4. You set up Smart animate between two frames, but the animation looks jumpy and not smooth. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. Smart animate is not supported in Figma

B. Layer names do not match between frames

C. You used the correct layer names

D. You disabled the prototype mode

Solution

1. Step 1: Check layer naming consistency

   Smart animate requires layers to have the same names to match and animate smoothly.

2. Step 2: Identify cause of jumpy animation

   If names differ, layers don't match, causing jumpy or instant changes instead of smooth animation.

3. Final Answer:

   Layer names do not match between frames -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Matching names = smooth animation [OK]

Hint: Ensure layer names match exactly for smooth animation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring layer name mismatches
• Believing Smart animate is unsupported
• Forgetting to enable prototype mode

5. You want to create a prototype where a button smoothly changes color and moves position when clicked. Which steps should you follow to use Smart animate correctly?

hard

A. Name the button layer the same in both frames, change its color and position, then set transition to Smart animate

B. Rename the button differently in each frame and use instant transition

C. Duplicate the button layer with different names and disable animation

D. Export the frames as images and link them without animation

Solution

1. Step 1: Ensure consistent layer naming

   Name the button layer exactly the same in both frames to enable matching.

2. Step 2: Modify properties and set Smart animate

   Change the button's color and position in the second frame, then select Smart animate as the transition.

3. Final Answer:

   Name the button layer the same in both frames, change its color and position, then set transition to Smart animate -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Consistent names + property changes + Smart animate = smooth effect [OK]

Hint: Keep layer names same and set Smart animate transition [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using different layer names prevents animation
• Choosing instant instead of Smart animate transition
• Exporting frames instead of prototyping