Variants and Instances in Figma
Key Concepts
- Variants
- Instances
Variants
Variants in Figma allow you to create different states of a component while maintaining its core properties. This is particularly useful for designing buttons, cards, or any UI element that has multiple states, such as hover, active, or disabled. Variants help in maintaining consistency across your design by ensuring that all states of a component are derived from the same base.
To use Variants, create a base component and then add different states as variants. For example, you can create a button component with variants for different colors or sizes. Each variant will share the same core structure but can have unique properties like color or text. This tool is akin to having a master template for a business card, where you can create different versions for different clients while keeping the layout consistent.
Instances
Instances in Figma are individual copies of a component that can be placed throughout your design. Instances are linked to their master component, meaning any changes made to the master component will automatically update all its instances. This feature ensures consistency and efficiency in your design process.
To create an instance, simply drag a component from the Assets panel onto your canvas. You can then customize the instance without affecting the master component. For example, if you have a button component, you can create multiple instances of it and change the text or color for each instance while keeping the overall design consistent. This tool is similar to cloning an object in a video game, where each clone can have unique attributes but shares the same core characteristics.
Examples and Analogies
Variants
Think of Variants as different outfits for the same character in a video game. Each outfit (variant) changes the appearance but retains the character's core attributes, such as height and basic movements. This ensures consistency while allowing for variety.
Instances
Consider Instances as multiple copies of a blueprint for a building. Each building (instance) can be customized with different colors or decorations, but they all share the same basic structure. This ensures that all buildings are consistent in design while allowing for individual customization.