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Mobile-first design workflow in Figma - Dashboard Guide

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Dashboard Mode - Mobile-first design workflow
Goal

Understand how to create a simple mobile-first dashboard design workflow using Figma for business intelligence reports.

Sample Data
ProductRegionSalesMonth
AlphaNorth120January
BetaSouth150January
AlphaNorth130February
BetaSouth170February
AlphaNorth140March
BetaSouth160March
Dashboard Components
  • KPI Card: Total Sales
    Formula: Sum of Sales column
    Result: 870
  • Bar Chart: Monthly Sales by Product
    Shows sales for Alpha and Beta for January, February, March
  • Filter: Region Selector
    Allows filtering data by North or South region
  • Table: Detailed Sales Data
    Shows Product, Region, Sales, and Month columns
Layout
+-----------------------+
|      KPI Card         |
+-----------------------+
| Bar Chart             |
| (scrollable if needed) |
+-----------------------+
| Filter: Region        |
+-----------------------+
| Detailed Sales Table  |
+-----------------------+
Interactivity

The Region filter updates the Bar Chart and Detailed Sales Table to show only data for the selected region. The KPI Card updates total sales accordingly.

Self Check

If you select the Region filter to 'North', which components update and what is the new total sales?

Answer: KPI Card updates to 390 (120+130+140). Bar Chart and Table show only North region data.

Key Result
A mobile-first BI dashboard design in Figma showing total sales, monthly sales by product, and region filtering.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What is the main idea behind mobile-first design in Figma?
easy
A. Start designing for small screens before larger ones
B. Design only for desktop screens
C. Create designs without considering screen size
D. Start with the largest screen and scale down

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand mobile-first design concept

    Mobile-first means beginning your design on small screens like phones.

  2. Step 2: Compare options

    Only Start designing for small screens before larger ones correctly describes starting with small screens first.

  3. Final Answer:

    Start designing for small screens before larger ones -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Mobile-first = Start small screens first [OK]
Hint: Remember: mobile-first means start small, then scale up [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Thinking mobile-first means designing only for desktop
  • Ignoring screen size order
  • Starting with large screens first
2. Which Figma feature helps create flexible layouts that adjust automatically when screen size changes?
easy
A. Vector Networks
B. Auto Layout
C. Pen Tool
D. Slice Tool

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify layout tools in Figma

    Auto Layout arranges elements and adapts them when resizing frames.

  2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated tools

    Pen Tool and Vector Networks are for drawing; Slice Tool is for exporting parts.

  3. Final Answer:

    Auto Layout -> Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    Flexible layouts = Auto Layout [OK]
Hint: Auto Layout adjusts elements automatically on resize [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Confusing drawing tools with layout tools
  • Using Slice Tool for layout
  • Ignoring Auto Layout's role in responsiveness
3. Given a Figma frame set to 375px width (mobile), you apply Auto Layout with horizontal spacing and constraints set to 'Left and Right'. What happens when you resize the frame to 768px (tablet)?
medium
A. Elements stretch horizontally to fill the wider frame
B. Elements stay fixed size and do not move
C. Elements overlap each other
D. Elements disappear from the frame

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand Auto Layout with horizontal spacing and constraints

    Auto Layout with left and right constraints makes elements stretch or space out when frame width changes.

  2. Step 2: Predict behavior on resizing from 375px to 768px

    The elements will stretch horizontally to fill the larger width.

  3. Final Answer:

    Elements stretch horizontally to fill the wider frame -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Auto Layout + constraints = stretch on resize [OK]
Hint: Left and right constraints stretch elements on wider frames [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Assuming elements stay fixed size
  • Thinking elements overlap
  • Believing elements disappear
4. You designed a mobile screen in Figma but when scaling up to desktop size, the layout breaks and elements overlap. What is the most likely cause?
medium
A. The frame size was set too small initially
B. You used too many colors in the design
C. Auto Layout was not used or constraints are missing
D. The text font size is too large

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify why layout breaks on scaling

    Without Auto Layout or proper constraints, elements do not adjust and can overlap when resizing.

  2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

    Frame size, colors, or font size do not cause layout overlap on scaling.

  3. Final Answer:

    Auto Layout was not used or constraints are missing -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    Layout breaks = Missing Auto Layout or constraints [OK]
Hint: Always use Auto Layout and constraints for responsive designs [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Blaming colors or font size for layout issues
  • Ignoring Auto Layout importance
  • Not checking constraints settings
5. You want to create a mobile-first dashboard in Figma that adapts from 375px (mobile) to 1024px (desktop). Which workflow best ensures a smooth scale-up?
hard
A. Design only mobile frame and export as is for all devices
B. Design desktop frame first, then shrink elements manually for mobile
C. Create separate unrelated frames for each device size without linking
D. Design mobile frame with Auto Layout and constraints, then duplicate and adjust for tablet and desktop

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand mobile-first workflow

    Start with mobile frame using Auto Layout and constraints for flexibility.

  2. Step 2: Scale design by duplicating and adjusting for larger screens

    Duplicating and adjusting keeps consistency and adapts layout smoothly.

  3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

    Designing desktop first or unrelated frames causes more work and inconsistency.

  4. Final Answer:

    Design mobile frame with Auto Layout and constraints, then duplicate and adjust for tablet and desktop -> Option D

  5. Quick Check:

    Mobile-first + Auto Layout + scale-up = Design mobile frame with Auto Layout and constraints, then duplicate and adjust for tablet and desktop [OK]
Hint: Start mobile with Auto Layout, then duplicate and adjust up [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Starting with desktop design first
  • Not using Auto Layout or constraints
  • Creating unrelated frames for each device