Figma Slides for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide

Hey everyone! Today, I want to dive into something that’s been a game-changer for me and many other designers: Figma Slides. If you’re new to Figma or just looking for a better way to create stunning presentations, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down step by step.

What Are Figma Slides?

Figma Slides are essentially presentation slides that you can create directly within Figma. Unlike traditional presentation tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides, Figma Slides bring the power of Figma’s design capabilities to your presentations. This means you can leverage all the awesome design tools Figma offers while crafting your slides.

Why Use Figma Slides?

1. Seamless Design Integration: If you’re already using Figma for your design projects, integrating your presentations into the same workflow is a no-brainer. You can easily pull in design assets, components, and styles from your other Figma files.
2. Collaboration: Figma is known for its real-time collaboration features, and Figma Slides are no different. Multiple team members can work on the presentation simultaneously, making it perfect for team projects.
3. Consistency: By using Figma, you ensure consistency across your design and presentation work. You can maintain the same styles, fonts, and components, giving your slides a professional and cohesive look.

Getting Started with Figma Slides

1. Create a New File: Start by creating a new file in Figma. You can choose a custom size for your slides or use the standard 16:9 ratio. To do this, simply create a new frame and set the dimensions to 1920×1080 pixels.
2. Design Your Slides: Use Figma’s robust design tools to create your slides. You can add text, images, shapes, and components just like you would in any other Figma project. Remember to make use of Figma’s grid and alignment tools to keep everything neat and tidy.
3. Use Components: Components are a lifesaver when it comes to maintaining consistency. Create components for common slide elements like headers, footers, and buttons. This way, you can easily update them across all your slides if needed.
4. Animate Your Slides: Figma also supports basic animations and transitions. Use the prototype mode to add interactions between your slides. This can make your presentation more dynamic and engaging.

The Downside: Lack of Templates

Now, let’s talk about one of the drawbacks of using Figma Slides: the lack of templates and template customization. Since Figma is relatively new to the presentation game, there aren’t as many pre-made templates available compared to more established tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides.

Why This Matters:

1. Time-Consuming: Without ready-made templates, creating slides from scratch can be time-consuming, especially if you’re in a rush or not as confident in your design skills.
2. Customization Limits: While you can create your own templates, the customization options are still somewhat limited compared to dedicated presentation software. This can be a bit frustrating if you’re used to having a wide variety of templates at your disposal.

Workarounds:

1. Create Your Own Templates: Spend some time creating a set of templates that you can reuse. Once you’ve done this, you’ll save time on future presentations. Consider making templates for different types of slides, like title slides, content slides, and summary slides.
2. Use Community Resources: The Figma community is pretty active, and you can find user-generated templates and resources online. While they may not be as abundant as in other tools, they’re definitely worth checking out.
3. Combine Tools: If you really need a specific template, you can always design it in another tool and import it into Figma as an image. This way, you get the best of both worlds—Figma’s design power and the template variety of other software.

Final Thoughts

Figma Slides are a powerful tool for anyone who wants to create beautiful, consistent, and collaborative presentations. While the lack of templates can be a drawback, the benefits far outweigh this minor inconvenience. With a bit of creativity and some time investment upfront, you can create your own set of templates and streamline your presentation process.

So, give Figma Slides a try and see how it can transform the way you create and share presentations. Happy designing!