Design system file structure in Figma - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Design system file structure

Goal

Understand how to organize a design system file structure in Figma for easy use and collaboration.

Sample File Structure Data

Folder/File	Description	Example Content
01_Tokens	Colors, typography, spacing tokens	Primary Color, Font Sizes, Spacing Scale
02_Components	Reusable UI components	Buttons, Inputs, Cards
03_Layouts	Grid and layout templates	Page Grids, Responsive Layouts
04_Icons	Icon sets and variants	Action Icons, Social Icons
05_Documentation	Guidelines and usage notes	Typography Guidelines, Color Usage
README.md	Overview of the design system	Purpose, How to use files

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Number of folders/files in the design system (5 folders + 1 file = 6 total)
• Bar Chart: Count of items per folder
  • Tokens: 3 types (Colors, Typography, Spacing)
  • Components: 3 types (Buttons, Inputs, Cards)
  • Layouts: 2 types (Page Grids, Responsive Layouts)
  • Icons: 2 types (Action, Social)
  • Documentation: 2 types (Typography Guidelines, Color Usage)
• Table: Shows folder name, description, and example content as in sample data

Dashboard Layout

+-----------------------------+
|        KPI Card (Total)      |
+-----------------------------+
| Bar Chart (Items per Folder) |
|                             |
+-----------------------------+
|           Table             |
| (Folder details & examples) |
+-----------------------------+
  

Interactivity

User can filter the bar chart by folder name. When a folder is selected:

• The table updates to show only the selected folder's details.
• The KPI card updates to show the count of items in that folder.

This helps focus on one part of the design system at a time.

Self Check

If you add a filter to select the folder 02_Components, which components update and how?

• KPI Card: Updates to show 3 items (Buttons, Inputs, Cards).
• Bar Chart: Highlights or filters to show only Components folder data.
• Table: Shows only the row for 02_Components with its description and examples.

Key Result

Dashboard shows the structure of a Figma design system file with folder counts and details.

Practice

1. Why is it important to use numbered folders in a Figma design system file structure?

easy

A. To keep folders organized and maintain a clear order

B. To make the file size smaller

C. To automatically update components

D. To change the color scheme of the design system

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of numbered folders

   Numbered folders help keep files in a specific order, making it easier to find and manage items.

2. Step 2: Relate to design system organization

   In a design system, clear order prevents confusion and speeds up work by grouping related items logically.

3. Final Answer:

   To keep folders organized and maintain a clear order -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Numbered folders = clear order [OK]

Hint: Number folders to keep things tidy and easy to find [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking numbering changes file size
• Assuming numbering updates components automatically
• Confusing numbering with design style changes

2. Which of the following is the correct way to name a folder for color styles in a design system file?

easy

A. ColorStyles

B. Colors 01

C. 01 Colors

D. Styles-Colors

Solution

1. Step 1: Check naming conventions for order

   Numbering folders at the start (like '01 Colors') ensures they appear in the correct order.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   01 Colors starts with a number and a clear name, which is best practice for organization.

3. Final Answer:

   01 Colors -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Number first, then name = correct folder naming [OK]

Hint: Start folder names with numbers for order [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Putting numbers after names causing sorting issues
• Using unclear or combined words without spaces
• Skipping numbering and losing order

3. Given a design system file with folders named 01 Colors, 02 Components, and 03 Documentation, what will be the order of these folders in Figma's sidebar?

medium

A. Colors, Components, Documentation

B. Colors, Documentation, Components

C. Components, Documentation, Colors

D. Documentation, Components, Colors

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand folder numbering effect

   Folders with numbers at the start sort in ascending order by those numbers.

2. Step 2: Apply numbering to folder names

   01 Colors comes first, then 02 Components, then 03 Documentation.

3. Final Answer:

   Colors, Components, Documentation -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Number order = Colors, Components, Documentation [OK]

Hint: Folders sort by leading numbers ascending [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring numbers and sorting alphabetically
• Mixing folder order randomly
• Assuming Figma sorts by last word

4. You notice your design system file has folders named Colors, Components, and Documentation without numbers, but they appear in random order. How can you fix this?

medium

A. Rename folders to all uppercase letters

B. Add numbers at the start of each folder name like 01 Colors

C. Delete and recreate folders in the correct order

D. Change folder colors to match their content

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify cause of random order

   Without numbers, folders sort alphabetically, which may not match desired order.

2. Step 2: Apply numbering to enforce order

   Adding numbers like '01 Colors' forces folders to appear in that numeric order.

3. Final Answer:

   Add numbers at the start of each folder name like 01 Colors -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Numbering folders fixes order [OK]

Hint: Number folders to fix random order [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking uppercase changes order
• Deleting folders wastes work
• Changing colors does not affect order

5. You want to create a design system file structure that separates colors, typography, components, and documentation clearly. Which folder structure below follows best practices?

hard

A. 01 Components
02 Colors
03 Docs
04 Typography

B. Colors
Typography
Components
Docs

C. Components
Colors
Docs
Typography

D. 01 Colors
02 Typography
03 Components
04 Documentation

Solution

1. Step 1: Check for numbering and clear folder names

   01 Colors 02 Typography 03 Components 04 Documentation uses numbers to keep order and full descriptive folder names.

2. Step 2: Verify grouping of related items

   Colors, Typography, Components, and Documentation are grouped separately and clearly.

3. Final Answer:

   01 Colors 02 Typography 03 Components 04 Documentation -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Numbered, clear folders = best practice [OK]

Hint: Number and name folders clearly for easy use [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Skipping numbering causing disorder
• Using unclear or abbreviated folder names
• Mixing unrelated items in one folder