Designers today are expected to do more than just create static screens—they need to build interactive, engaging prototypes that bring their ideas to life. If you’re a Figma user looking to elevate your design workflow, Framer offers the perfect next step. This guide provides a smooth transition from Figma to Framer, helping you get started with ease and confidence.
Whether you’re prototyping a website, a mobile app, or an interactive interface, understanding how to use Framer alongside—or after—Figma can significantly streamline your design-to-development process.
What is Framer?
Framer is a powerful design tool that lets you create fully interactive prototypes and even publish live websites. It combines design and code seamlessly, offering components, interactions, animations, and responsive layout features—all in one place.
Unlike traditional design tools, Framer is built with the web in mind. You can publish your prototypes as shareable URLs, integrate real data, and even add custom code when needed. Best of all, it’s intuitive for Figma users thanks to its visual interface and drag-and-drop functionality.
Why Figma Users Should Consider Framer
Figma is ideal for UI/UX design, collaboration, and wireframing. However, when it comes to high-fidelity prototyping and web-ready interactions, Framer fills in the gaps. Here’s why Figma users should consider learning Framer:
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Better Interaction Design: Framer offers advanced animation and gesture controls
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No-Code to Low-Code Transition: Use Framer visually, or inject code snippets as needed
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Faster Prototyping: Design, animate, and publish—all in one place
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Live Publishing: Build landing pages or interactive demos without developers
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Easy Figma Import: You can import Figma files directly into Framer
Step-by-Step Tutorial: Convert Figma to Elementor
Getting Started with Framer as a Figma User
To help you get started, here’s a step-by-step guide tailored for designers familiar with Figma.
1. Sign Up and Explore the Interface
Start by visiting Framer.com and creating a free account. Once logged in, you’ll be greeted with a user-friendly interface. The dashboard layout is somewhat similar to Figma, featuring:
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A left-hand layer panel
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A central canvas
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A right-hand properties panel
Spend a few minutes exploring the dashboard and available templates. Framer offers pre-built templates for websites, apps, and interactive mockups.
2. Import Your Figma Files
Framer makes it simple to bring your Figma work into the platform. Here’s how to do it:
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In Framer, click on the Figma Import option
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Connect your Figma account and authorise access
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Choose the Figma file or frame you want to import
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Framer will automatically convert it into editable components
Pro Tip: Clean up your Figma layers and naming conventions before importing for a smoother experience.
3. Understand Framer’s Core Elements
To start designing in Framer, it’s helpful to understand its building blocks:
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Frames: Similar to artboards in Figma. They define screen size and structure
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Stacks: Auto-layout systems that help you organise elements responsively
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Components: Reusable design blocks, like buttons or cards
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Interactions: Easily add tap, hover, scroll, or drag-based interactions
If you’re familiar with Figma’s auto layout, you’ll find Framer’s Stacks very intuitive.
Read: Designing Multi-Tier Navigation in WordPress
4. Add Interactions and Animations
Framer’s standout feature is its ability to create complex interactions visually. You can animate elements with drag-and-drop transitions—no code needed.
To add an interaction:
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Select the element you want to animate
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Click the “+” icon next to Interactions in the right panel
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Choose from presets like “On Click,” “On Hover,” or “While Scrolling”
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Adjust easing, duration, and trigger settings
For example, you can create a button that expands on hover or a page transition that slides in when clicked.
5. Use Components and Variables
Framer supports smart components with variable states. This is similar to variants in Figma but more dynamic. You can:
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Create a button with multiple states (default, hover, active)
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Use variables to switch states based on user interaction
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Set custom triggers like tap or swipe gestures
This feature is extremely useful when designing forms, nav menus, or toggle switches.
6. Make Your Design Responsive
Framer automatically helps with responsiveness through its layout tools.
Use Stacks and Constraints to ensure your design adapts to screen sizes:
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Set max-widths and padding inside Stacks
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Pin elements to corners or center using Constraints
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Preview how your layout behaves on desktop, tablet, and mobile views
This is especially helpful for building landing pages that look great across devices.
Learn more: Using Figma For Collaborative WordPress Design Workflows
7. Publish or Share Your Work
Unlike Figma, Framer lets you publish your prototype as a live site. To publish:
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Click “Publish” in the top-right corner
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Choose a custom URL or use Framer’s free domain
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Your project is now a live, interactive webpage
You can also invite team members, gather feedback, or export code for developers.
Bonus: Tips to Maximise Your Framer Experience
To get the most out of Framer, consider the following tips:
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Use Templates: Explore Framer’s template library for quick starts
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Join the Community: Framer has a vibrant community on Discord and forums
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Learn with Framer Academy: Free tutorials and courses to level up your skills
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Integrate Real Data: Use CMS tools or APIs for dynamic content
Common Questions Figma Users Ask About Framer
Is Framer better than Figma?
Not necessarily. They serve different purposes. Figma excels at static design and collaboration, while Framer is better for building interactive, web-ready experiences.
Can I use both together?
Absolutely. Use Figma for wireframes and visual design, then import to Framer for advanced interactions and publishing.
Does Framer require coding?
No, but it allows you to use code if needed—great for power users or developers.
Conclusion
If you’re a Figma user looking to create high-fidelity, interactive prototypes or publish responsive websites, Framer is the perfect tool to explore. It bridges the gap between design and development with ease, offering a visual interface familiar to Figma users and powerful features that go beyond basic prototyping.
By importing your Figma files, learning Framer’s layout and interaction tools, and leveraging its publishing capabilities, you can take your design process to the next level. Whether you’re a solo designer or part of a product team, adding Framer to your toolkit is a smart move.
Start small. Explore gradually. And soon, you’ll be building polished, live prototypes that truly impress.