In this section, we will guide you through the process of creating your first frame in Figma. Frames are the foundational building blocks in Figma, similar to artboards in other design tools. They help you organize your design elements and define the boundaries of your design.

1. Frames vs. Groups:

   • Frames: Used to define a specific area for your design, such as a screen or a component. Frames can contain other frames, shapes, text, and images.
   • Groups: Used to organize layers without defining a specific area. Groups are more about organization than layout.

2. Frame Properties:

   • Size: Define the width and height of the frame.
   • Position: Set the X and Y coordinates to place the frame on the canvas.
   • Constraints: Determine how elements inside the frame respond to resizing.

3. Common Frame Uses:

   • Designing screens for web and mobile applications.
   • Creating reusable components.
   • Organizing design elements for better workflow.

1. Open Figma: Log in to your Figma account and click on the "New File" button to create a new design file.
2. Name Your File: Give your file a meaningful name, such as "First Frame Project".

1. Select the Frame Tool:

   • Locate the frame tool in the toolbar on the left side of the screen. It looks like a rectangle with a dashed border.
   • Alternatively, you can press the F key on your keyboard to activate the frame tool.

2. Draw the Frame:

   • Click and drag on the canvas to create a frame. You can adjust the size by dragging the corners or edges of the frame.
   • Use the properties panel on the right to set specific dimensions, such as 375x812 for a mobile screen.

3. Position the Frame:

   • Use the X and Y input fields in the properties panel to position your frame precisely on the canvas.

1. Add a Background Color:

   • With the frame selected, go to the Fill section in the properties panel.
   • Click on the color box to choose a background color for your frame.

2. Set Constraints:

   • Select an element within the frame and set its constraints to define how it should behave when the frame is resized. For example, you can pin an element to the top-left corner.

Task: Create a frame for a mobile app screen with the following specifications:

• Dimensions: 414x896 (iPhone 11 Pro Max)
• Background color: Light blue
• Add a text element inside the frame with the text "Hello, Figma!" and center it both horizontally and vertically.

Solution:

1. Create a new frame with dimensions 414x896.
2. Set the background color to light blue.
3. Use the Text tool to add the text "Hello, Figma!".
4. Center the text by setting its constraints to "Center" for both horizontal and vertical alignment.

Creating frames in Figma is a fundamental skill that sets the stage for more complex designs. By understanding how to create and manipulate frames, you can effectively organize your design projects and prepare for more advanced prototyping techniques. In the next section, we will explore how to work with shapes and text to enhance your designs.