Share Figma Prototype: A Simple Guide

Hey everyone! Ever wondered how to share your amazing Figma prototypes with your team, clients, or even just your friends? Well, you're in the right place! Sharing your Figma prototype is super easy, and I'm here to walk you through each step so you can get feedback and show off your designs in no time. Let's dive in!

Why Share Your Figma Prototype?

Before we get into the how-to, let’s talk about why sharing your Figma prototype is so important. Seriously, guys, it's a game-changer.

• Gather Feedback: Sharing allows others to interact with your design and provide valuable feedback. This is crucial for improving the user experience and catching potential issues early on.
• Collaboration: When team members can easily access and review your prototype, it fosters better collaboration. Everyone stays on the same page, which reduces misunderstandings and speeds up the design process.
• Client Approval: Presenting an interactive prototype to clients helps them visualize the final product. It’s way more engaging than static mockups and increases the chances of getting quick approvals.
• User Testing: Sharing your prototype with real users enables you to conduct user testing and gather insights into how people actually interact with your design. This helps you make data-driven decisions and create a user-centric product.
• Showcasing Your Work: Let's be honest, sharing your prototype is also a great way to show off your design skills. Whether it’s for a portfolio or a presentation, an interactive prototype leaves a lasting impression.

Sharing your Figma prototype is essential for a smooth and efficient design process. It helps you gather feedback, collaborate effectively, get client approvals, conduct user testing, and showcase your work. So, now that we know why it’s important, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to do it!

Step-by-Step Guide to Sharing Your Figma Prototype

Alright, let's get down to business. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide on how to share your Figma prototype with anyone. Trust me; it’s easier than making your morning coffee!

Step 1: Open Your Figma File

First things first, open the Figma file that contains the prototype you want to share. Make sure you’re in the file editor, where you can see all your frames and layers. This is where the magic happens, folks!

Step 2: Navigate to the Prototype Tab

In the right sidebar, you’ll see a few tabs: Design, Prototype, and Inspect. Click on the Prototype tab. This is where you’ll set up the interactions and flows for your prototype. If you haven’t already, make sure you’ve defined the flow starting point by selecting a frame and clicking the little round “play” icon that appears. This tells Figma where to start when someone views your prototype.

Step 3: Configure Your Prototype Settings

Under the Prototype tab, you’ll find various settings that control how your prototype behaves. Here’s a rundown of the important ones:

• Starting Frame: This specifies the first screen people will see when they open your prototype. Make sure it’s set to the correct frame.
• Device: Choose the device type your prototype is designed for (e.g., iPhone, Android, Desktop). This ensures the prototype is displayed correctly on different screens.
• Model: Select a specific device model to add a realistic device frame around your prototype. This can make your presentation look more polished.
• Background: Customize the background color behind your prototype. A neutral color like white or gray usually works best.
• Show Figma UI: Decide whether to show the Figma UI (like the toolbar and panels) in the prototype. Generally, it’s better to hide it for a cleaner presentation.

Configuring these settings ensures your prototype looks and behaves exactly how you want it to. Don’t skip this step, guys; it makes a big difference!

Step 4: Click the Share Prototype Button

In the top-right corner of the Figma interface, you'll see a Share prototype button. Give it a click! This opens a dialog box where you can manage sharing settings.

Step 5: Set the Sharing Permissions

In the share dialog, you’ll see a dropdown menu that controls who can access your prototype. Here are the options:

• Anyone with the link: This is the most common option. It allows anyone who has the link to view your prototype. No sign-in required!
• Only people invited: This option restricts access to only the people you explicitly invite. They’ll need to sign in to Figma to view the prototype.
• Organization: If you're part of a Figma Organization, you can share the prototype with everyone in your organization.

Choose the option that best suits your needs. If you want to share your prototype widely, Anyone with the link is the way to go. If you need more control over who can access it, Only people invited is a better choice.

Step 6: Copy the Shareable Link

Once you've set the sharing permissions, Figma will generate a unique link for your prototype. Click the Copy link button to copy it to your clipboard. Now you can share it with anyone you want!

Step 7: Share the Link

Now comes the fun part: sharing your link! You can send it via email, Slack, text message, or any other communication channel. Just paste the link and let people know what they’re about to see. Something like, “Hey, check out my Figma prototype and let me know what you think!” works perfectly.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully shared your Figma prototype. Easy peasy, right?

Advanced Sharing Options

Okay, so you know the basics of sharing, but Figma offers some advanced options that can make your life even easier. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Password Protection

If you want to add an extra layer of security to your prototype, you can set a password. In the share dialog, look for the Password option and enter a password. When someone tries to access your prototype, they’ll need to enter the password to view it. This is great for sharing sensitive designs with clients or stakeholders.

Embedding Prototypes

You can embed your Figma prototype directly into websites or other applications. To do this, click the <> Embed option in the share dialog. Figma will generate an HTML snippet that you can copy and paste into your website’s code. This is a fantastic way to showcase your designs on your portfolio or blog.

Setting Permissions for Comments

When sharing your prototype, you can also control whether people can leave comments on it. In the share dialog, you’ll find a Can view comments or Can edit option. If you want people to provide feedback directly on the prototype, make sure to enable comments. If you just want them to view it without commenting, disable the comments option.

Presenting in Full Screen

To present your prototype in full screen, simply open the prototype link in your browser and click the Full Screen button in the bottom-right corner. This hides the browser’s UI and gives you a clean, immersive presentation experience. Perfect for client meetings or design reviews!

Using Presentation View

Figma also offers a dedicated presentation view that’s designed for showcasing your prototypes. To access it, open your prototype in Figma and click the Present button in the top-right corner. This opens the prototype in a new tab with a clean, minimal interface. You can then use the arrow keys to navigate between screens and present your design seamlessly.

Troubleshooting Common Sharing Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go quite as planned. Here are a few common issues you might encounter when sharing your Figma prototype and how to troubleshoot them.

Link Not Working

If someone tells you the link isn’t working, first make sure you’ve set the sharing permissions correctly. Double-check that Anyone with the link is selected if you want anyone to be able to view it. Also, make sure you’ve copied the correct link from the share dialog.

Prototype Not Displaying Correctly

If the prototype isn’t displaying correctly, check the device settings in the Prototype tab. Make sure you’ve selected the correct device type and model for your design. Also, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, as this can sometimes interfere with Figma’s rendering.

Comments Not Showing Up

If comments aren’t showing up, make sure you’ve enabled the comments option in the share dialog. Also, check that the person viewing the prototype has permission to view comments. If they’re logged in to Figma with a different account, they might not have the necessary permissions.

Slow Loading Times

If your prototype is loading slowly, it could be due to large image files or complex interactions. Try optimizing your images to reduce their file size and simplifying your interactions to improve performance. Also, make sure you have a stable internet connection.

Best Practices for Sharing Prototypes

To ensure a smooth and effective sharing experience, here are some best practices to keep in mind.

• Provide Context: When sharing your prototype, always provide some context to the people who will be viewing it. Explain the purpose of the design, the key features you want them to focus on, and the type of feedback you’re looking for.
• Use Clear Naming Conventions: Use clear and descriptive names for your frames and layers. This makes it easier for others to understand the structure of your design and navigate the prototype.
• Test Your Prototype: Before sharing your prototype, always test it yourself to make sure everything is working as expected. Check that all the interactions are functioning correctly and that there are no broken links or missing images.
• Gather Feedback Iteratively: Don’t wait until the end of the design process to gather feedback. Share your prototype early and often to get continuous input and make incremental improvements.
• Be Open to Feedback: Remember that feedback is a gift. Be open to hearing what others have to say about your design, even if it’s not what you expected. Use their feedback to make your design even better.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Sharing your Figma prototype is a breeze once you know the steps. Whether you’re gathering feedback, collaborating with your team, or presenting to clients, sharing your prototype is crucial for a successful design process. With the tips and tricks I’ve shared, you’ll be a Figma sharing pro in no time! Now go out there and share your amazing designs with the world. Happy designing, guys!