Designing for the web has evolved significantly over the years. While Figma has remained the go-to design tool for UI/UX professionals, Framer has quickly gained traction as a powerful website builder that supports interactive and visually engaging design. If you’re transitioning from Figma to Framer or considering it, this guide will help you understand the basics of designing in Framer and how to make the switch efficiently.
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Figma and Framer: An Overview
Figma is a collaborative interface design tool used by designers to create high-fidelity prototypes and UI layouts. It excels in vector design, collaborative editing, and component-based design systems.
Framer, on the other hand, is a no-code website builder that allows designers to transform their static designs into fully responsive, interactive websites. It is built for designers who want more control over motion, responsiveness, and user interactions without diving deep into code.
Both tools serve different stages of the design-to-development pipeline. However, Framer now supports direct design capabilities, allowing you to skip the handoff process and publish your website directly from the platform.
Why Move from Figma to Framer?
While Figma is excellent for wireframing and UI design, it lacks built-in publishing capabilities. Framer bridges this gap by allowing designers to:
- Design and publish directly from a single platform
- Add advanced interactions and animations
- Create responsive layouts without writing code
- Collaborate with stakeholders in real-time
For startups, agencies, and freelancers, this can significantly reduce development time and costs.
Read: Efficient WordPress Website Redesign With Figma
Getting Started: Importing Figma Designs into Framer
Framer offers a seamless Figma import feature. Here’s how you can begin:
Prepare Your Design in Figma: Ensure your Figma design is clean and organized. Use components, consistent styles, and named layers to streamline the import process.
Export to Framer: In Framer, click on Insert → Figma → Connect Your Figma Account. Choose the Figma file you want to import. Framer will convert your design into editable layers and components.
Optimize After Import: Not all elements will translate perfectly. After importing, review the layout, typography, and interactions. Tweak styles and ensure everything is responsive across breakpoints.
Pro Tip: Use auto-layouts in Figma to help Framer interpret your layouts more accurately.
Read: WordPress SEO-Friendly Design Using Figma
Understanding Framer’s Design Environment
Once your design is in Framer, the interface may look familiar but offers unique features. Here’s what you need to know:
The Canvas
Framer’s canvas is where the visual design happens. Unlike Figma, you are not working with static frames but with live components that respond in real time.
Responsive Design Tools
Framer allows you to create fully responsive layouts using:
- Stack components: Auto-align and distribute content
- Grid systems: Define rows, columns, and spacing
- Breakpoint controls: Customize how designs behave on mobile, tablet, and desktop
This removes the guesswork from designing responsive websites.
Interaction Panel
Framer’s built-in animation and interaction panel let you add hover effects, scroll-based animations, page transitions, and more — all visually, without writing code.
Example:
- Hover to scale
- Tap to navigate
- Scroll to reveal
These interactions are ideal for creating modern, engaging user experiences.
Code Overrides (Optional)
For those who want extra control, Framer supports React-based code overrides. This lets you add custom logic, APIs, or third-party scripts without switching platforms.
However, this is optional. Most interactions and features can be built visually.
Also read: Top Benefits of Professional WordPress Web Design Services
Design Best Practices in Framer
To design effectively in Framer, consider the following best practices:
Use Components and Variants: Just like Figma, Framer supports reusable components. You can create buttons, navbars, and cards as components and use variants for different states (e.g., hover, active, disabled).
Leverage Motion: Motion is a core part of Framer. Use animation subtly to guide users and enhance usability. Avoid over-animating, which can distract from content.
Mobile-First Design: Always preview your design on mobile and tablet screens. Framer’s preview tools make it easy to test responsiveness and adjust layout behavior using breakpoints.
Publish and Test: Framer offers built-in hosting. You can publish your website in one click. Share the live link with stakeholders and test performance across browsers and devices.
Key Differences Between Figma and Framer
| Feature | Figma | Framer |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | UI/UX Design | Interactive Web Design |
| Code Requirement | None | Optional (for advanced use) |
| Hosting | Not available | Built-in |
| Animations | Prototype only | Production-ready |
| Responsive Design | Manual | Visual and Dynamic |
| Collaboration | Real-time | Real-time |
These differences highlight why many designers are now starting and finishing their web projects in Framer.
Use Cases for Framer
Framer is ideal for:
- Landing Pages: Quickly launch beautiful, responsive pages
- Portfolios: Designers can showcase work with animation and polish
- Startups: Iterate and launch faster without waiting on developers
- Marketing Teams: Build pages without needing engineering support
Framer empowers non-technical users to bring their creative ideas to life with precision and speed.
Limitations to Consider
While Framer is powerful, it’s essential to be aware of a few limitations:
- Complex CMS needs may require third-party tools
- Custom backend integration is limited without code
- Advanced logic may need React knowledge
However, for most modern website needs, Framer is more than capable.
Find out: Ways To White-Label Your WordPress Client Websites
Conclusion
Designing in Framer offers a modern, code-free approach to building high-performance websites. If you’re familiar with Figma, the learning curve is minimal — and the payoff is significant. From importing your designs to publishing live websites, Framer simplifies the workflow for designers who want to own the entire web experience.
Whether you’re building a personal portfolio, a startup landing page, or a client website, Framer enables you to design, animate, and publish — all in one place. By understanding the basics of designing in Framer, you can future-proof your design skills and deliver more value without relying heavily on developers.
