Adding Basic Transitions in Figma

Transitions control how a prototype moves from one frame to another. Figma provides several transition options that can make prototype navigation feel more natural and help show changes between screens.

Add a Transition

After creating a prototype connection, you can choose its transition from the Prototype tab.

1. Select the prototype connection between two frames.
2. Open the Prototype tab in the right sidebar.
3. In the interaction settings, find the Animation option.
4. Choose a transition.
5. Adjust the available settings such as duration, easing, or direction.
6. Preview the prototype to check the result.

Basic Transition Types

1. Instant: Changes to the destination frame immediately when the interaction is triggered. It does not animate the change between frames.

2. Dissolve: Fades the destination frame over the current frame. You can adjust its duration and easing.

3. Smart Animate: Looks for matching layers between frames and animates their supported changes, such as position, size, or rotation. It supports duration and easing.

4. Move: Brings the destination frame into or out of view. You can control the direction, easing, and duration.

5. Push: Moves the destination frame into view while pushing the current frame out. It supports direction, easing, and duration and can be useful for simulating swipe-style navigation.

6. Slide: Moves the destination frame into or out of view while also dissolving the frames during the transition. It supports direction, easing, and duration.

Benefits of Using Transitions

• Improves prototype flow: Transitions show how one screen changes into another.
• Makes interactions clearer: Different animation types can communicate different navigation behaviors.
• Supports realistic testing: Animated transitions can help designers evaluate how an interface may feel before development.

Limitations and Considerations

• Not every transition provides the same controls; options such as direction, easing, and duration depend on the selected animation.
• Smart Animate works with matching layers and supported properties; unsupported changes may use a different transition behavior.
• Very long or unnecessary animations can make a prototype harder to evaluate, so transitions should match the intended interaction.