Mobile-first design workflow in Figma - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the main idea behind mobile-first design?

Mobile-first design means starting your design with the smallest screen (mobile) first, then scaling up to larger screens like tablets and desktops.

beginner

Why is mobile-first design important in BI dashboards?

Because many users access dashboards on phones, designing for mobile first ensures the dashboard is clear, fast, and easy to use on small screens.

beginner

In Figma, what is a common first step in a mobile-first workflow?

Create a frame with mobile screen dimensions (like 375x812 px) to start designing the smallest view first.

intermediate

How does mobile-first design affect content prioritization?

It forces you to focus on the most important content first, because mobile screens have limited space.

intermediate

What is a key advantage of designing mobile-first when scaling up to desktop?

It’s easier to add more features and content for bigger screens than to remove or simplify content designed for desktop when shrinking to mobile.

What screen size do you start with in a mobile-first design workflow?

A Smallest screen (mobile)

B Desktop screen

C Tablet screen

D Any screen size

Mobile-first means starting with the smallest screen to ensure usability on mobile devices.

Why should you prioritize content in mobile-first design?

A Because mobile screens have limited space

B Because desktop screens are smaller

C Because tablets don’t need content

D Because mobile users don’t read

Limited screen space on mobile means you must focus on the most important content first.

In Figma, what is a typical mobile frame size to start with?

A 1920x1080 px

B 375x812 px

C 1024x768 px

D 800x600 px

375x812 px is a common size for mobile screens like iPhone X.

What is a benefit of designing mobile-first for BI dashboards?

A Ignores tablet users

B Makes desktop design harder

C Requires more colors

D Ensures dashboards work well on phones

Designing mobile-first ensures dashboards are clear and usable on phones.

When scaling up from mobile to desktop, what is easier?

A Removing features

B Shrinking content

C Adding features and content

D Ignoring mobile design

It’s easier to add content for bigger screens than to simplify desktop designs for mobile.

Explain the steps you would take to start a mobile-first design workflow in Figma.

Think about starting small and adding more later.

Why is mobile-first design especially useful for business intelligence dashboards?

Consider how people use dashboards on their phones.

Practice

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