Breakpoint-based design in Figma - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a UI/UX designer working with the BI team

📋 Request: Your manager wants a dashboard design that looks good on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices using breakpoint-based design

📊 Data: You have a dashboard layout with charts, filters, and summary cards that need to adapt to different screen sizes

🎯 Deliverable: Create a Figma design file with three breakpoint layouts: desktop (1200px+), tablet (768px-1199px), and mobile (below 768px)

Sample Data

Component	Desktop Layout	Tablet Layout	Mobile Layout
Header	Full width, horizontal menu	Full width, horizontal menu	Full width, hamburger menu
Filters	Left sidebar vertical	Top horizontal bar	Collapsible dropdown
Charts	3 columns grid	2 columns grid	1 column stacked
Summary Cards	Row below charts, 4 cards	Row below charts, 2 cards per row	Stacked cards

1

Step 1: Create a new Figma file and set up three frames named Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile with widths 1440px, 1024px, and 375px respectively

Frame sizes: Desktop=1440x900, Tablet=1024x768, Mobile=375x667

Expected Result

Three frames sized correctly for each breakpoint

2

Step 2: Design the Header component in Desktop frame with full width and horizontal menu items spaced evenly

Use Auto Layout with horizontal direction, spacing 24px, padding 16px

Expected Result

Header spans full width with menu items aligned horizontally

3

Step 3: Copy Header to Tablet frame and adjust menu spacing to fit smaller width, keep horizontal layout

Reduce spacing to 16px, keep Auto Layout horizontal

Expected Result

Header fits Tablet width with horizontal menu

4

Step 4: Copy Header to Mobile frame and replace menu with hamburger icon on right side

Use icon component for hamburger, align right with padding 16px

Expected Result

Mobile header shows hamburger menu aligned right

5

Step 5: Design Filters as vertical sidebar on left in Desktop frame

Sidebar width 250px, vertical Auto Layout with filter controls stacked

Expected Result

Filters appear as vertical sidebar on left

6

Step 6: Move Filters to top horizontal bar in Tablet frame

Horizontal Auto Layout with filter controls spaced evenly, height 60px

Expected Result

Filters appear as horizontal bar on top

7

Step 7: Convert Filters to collapsible dropdown in Mobile frame

Use a dropdown component with label 'Filters', collapsed by default

Expected Result

Filters hidden under dropdown on mobile

8

Step 8: Arrange Charts in Desktop frame as 3 columns grid with equal spacing

Grid layout with 3 columns, gap 24px

Expected Result

Charts arranged in 3 columns

9

Step 9: Adjust Charts in Tablet frame to 2 columns grid

Grid layout with 2 columns, gap 16px

Expected Result

Charts arranged in 2 columns

10

Step 10: Stack Charts vertically in Mobile frame with full width

Vertical Auto Layout with gap 16px

Expected Result

Charts stacked in single column

11

Step 11: Place Summary Cards below charts in Desktop frame in a single row with 4 cards

Horizontal Auto Layout with 4 cards spaced 24px

Expected Result

Summary cards in one row below charts

12

Step 12: Arrange Summary Cards in Tablet frame as 2 rows with 2 cards each

Grid layout with 2 columns and 2 rows, gap 16px

Expected Result

Summary cards arranged in 2x2 grid

13

Step 13: Stack Summary Cards vertically in Mobile frame

Vertical Auto Layout with gap 16px

Expected Result

Summary cards stacked in single column

14

Step 14: Review all frames for consistent spacing, alignment, and accessibility (use proper labels and contrast)

Check color contrast ratios, add ARIA labels in design notes

Expected Result

Accessible and visually consistent designs across breakpoints

Final Result

Desktop Frame - 1440px

↓

Tablet Frame - 1024px

↓

Mobile Frame - 375px

Bonus Challenge

Add interactive prototype links in Figma to simulate switching between breakpoints

Show Hint

Use Figma's Prototype tab to link frames and add device frames for preview

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of breakpoint-based design in Figma for dashboards?

easy

A. To add animations to dashboard elements

B. To adjust the layout for different screen sizes

C. To change the color scheme automatically

D. To create multiple unrelated designs

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand breakpoint-based design concept

   Breakpoint-based design means changing layout based on screen size.

2. Step 2: Apply to dashboards in Figma

   Dashboards need to look good on phones, tablets, and desktops by adjusting layout.

3. Final Answer:

   To adjust the layout for different screen sizes -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Breakpoint-based design = layout adjustment [OK]

Hint: Think about screen size changes and layout shifts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing breakpoints with colors or animations
• Thinking breakpoints create separate designs
• Assuming breakpoints only affect fonts

2. Which Figma feature helps create responsive frames for breakpoint-based design?

easy

A. Pen Tool

B. Slice Tool

C. Vector Networks

D. Auto Layout

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Figma features for layout

   Auto Layout arranges elements automatically based on rules.

2. Step 2: Match feature to responsive design

   Auto Layout adjusts frame content when frame size changes, perfect for breakpoints.

3. Final Answer:

   Auto Layout -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Responsive frames use Auto Layout [OK]

Hint: Auto Layout = automatic resizing and positioning [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Pen Tool which is for drawing
• Confusing Vector Networks with layout
• Selecting Slice Tool which is for exporting

3. Given a frame with Auto Layout set to horizontal and fixed width 800px, what happens if the frame width changes to 400px on a smaller screen?

medium

A. Elements inside will stay spaced horizontally and may overflow

B. Elements will automatically stack vertically

C. Frame width will reset to 800px automatically

D. Elements will disappear

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Auto Layout horizontal with fixed width

   Horizontal Auto Layout arranges items side by side and fixed width means frame size won't shrink automatically.

2. Step 2: Effect of reducing frame width

   Since width is fixed, elements keep horizontal layout but may overflow or be cut off.

3. Final Answer:

   Elements inside will stay spaced horizontally and may overflow -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Fixed width + horizontal layout = overflow on smaller screen [OK]

Hint: Fixed width frames don't resize, causing overflow [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming elements stack vertically automatically
• Thinking frame width changes automatically
• Believing elements disappear on resize

4. You designed a dashboard frame with Auto Layout but on mobile the elements overlap. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. Frame width is fixed and too wide for mobile screen

B. Auto Layout is set to vertical direction

C. You used too many colors in the design

D. You forgot to add images

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze overlapping elements on small screen

   Overlap usually happens when frame cannot shrink and elements stay side by side.

2. Step 2: Check frame width setting

   If frame width is fixed and wider than screen, elements will overlap or overflow.

3. Final Answer:

   Frame width is fixed and too wide for mobile screen -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Fixed wide frame causes overlap on small screens [OK]

Hint: Check if frame width is fixed and too large [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Blaming Auto Layout direction without checking width
• Thinking colors cause layout overlap
• Assuming missing images cause overlap

5. You want a dashboard to show a sidebar on desktop but hide it on mobile using breakpoint-based design in Figma. Which approach is best?

hard

A. Resize sidebar to zero width on mobile using fixed width frame

B. Use Auto Layout to automatically hide sidebar on small screens

C. Create two frames: one with sidebar for desktop, one without for mobile, and switch visibility

D. Change sidebar color to white on mobile to hide it

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sidebar visibility needs

   Sidebar should appear on desktop but be hidden on mobile, requiring different layouts.

2. Step 2: Evaluate Figma options for breakpoint design

   Figma does not auto-hide elements by screen size; best is to create separate frames and toggle visibility.

3. Step 3: Why other options fail

   Auto Layout cannot hide elements automatically; resizing to zero width with fixed width frame breaks layout; changing color only hides visually but still occupies space.

4. Final Answer:

   Create two frames: one with sidebar for desktop, one without for mobile, and switch visibility -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   Use separate frames and visibility toggle for breakpoints [OK]

Hint: Use separate frames for different screen layouts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting Auto Layout to hide elements automatically
• Trying to hide by resizing fixed width frames
• Hiding by color change only, not removing space