How to Translate Figma Mockups to Code?
Tutorial for Creating Pixel-Perfect UI from Figma Mockups
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As a frontend developer, you might wonder why pixel-perfect design matters if you’re not a graphic or UX designer.
I used to think the same until I joined CreoWis two months ago, where I quickly learned how crucial it is to understand and implement pixel-perfect design.
Whether you’re working in a company or freelancing, you’ll always receive screen mockups created in tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
Your task is to translate these designs into code with exact precision. This process, known as pixel-perfect development, ensures that every element of the design is faithfully reproduced in the final product.
What Does “Pixel-Perfect” Mean for a Frontend Developer
For a frontend developer, achieving pixel-perfect design means converting mockups into code with precise attention to every detail. This includes matching:
Height & Width
Font Sizes
Alignment & Typography
Spacing between elements
When your code replicates these details exactly as specified in the design, you’ve achieved pixel-perfect development.
A Closer Look at Twitter’s Login Screen
Consider Twitter’s login screen as an example. Every element, from the spacing and alignment to the specific values for padding, margin, and font size is meticulously designed.
When a frontend developer at Twitter creates this screen, the goal is to ensure that the live version mirrors the original design exactly.
This means avoiding random values and instead, using the precise measurements provided in the mockup.
How to Translate a Mockup into Pixel-Perfect Code
Translating a mockup into pixel-perfect code is straightforward if you’re familiar with HTML, CSS, or frameworks like Tailwind CSS. Follow these steps:
Inspect the Mockup: Click on any element in the Figma mockup to view its properties in the right-hand panel. Directly apply these exact values in your code.
Measure Spacing: To accurately capture spacing between elements, either inspect the parent container for its child elements or hold down the “ALT” key while hovering over an element to see the exact spacing.
Implement Exact Values: If the mockup specifies a font size of, for example, 71.64px, your code should reflect that exact value. This meticulous attention to detail is what defines pixel-perfect coding.
How to Inspecting the Mockup in Figma
Once you have your Figma mockups, the next step is to translate the design into code by inspecting its elements. There are two main methods to do this:
1. Default Mode
In this mode, you manually inspect each element in Figma to extract the necessary properties.
Clicking on any element in Figma, the applied properties will appear in the right-hand panel.
To view spacing values (like margins and padding) between elements, press ALT and hover over the adjacent element. The spacing values will appear in red text.
2. Dev Mode
Figma’s Dev mode is a favorite among many developers because it automates much of the process by providing multiple helpful features, such as:
Displaying spacing between elements.
Generating CSS code automatically.
Offering an element playground for quick experimentation, etc.
To use Dev mode, you must request access from the designer. They can grant access if they have a Figma plan that includes this feature. Once enabled, you can view the related CSS properties directly in Figma, along with many more features.
Gathering Assets from the Mockups
Downloading images and icons from your Figma designs can be done in several ways:
Right-click on any asset (image or icon), select the option to copy as SVG or PNG, and paste it into your working directory.
Select the asset, and you’ll see a dedicated download button in the right-hand panel, which you can use to download the asset directly.
Figma Integration with VS Code
One of the great benefits for developers is the ability to work within VS Code without switching to the Figma desktop app.
Figma Extension for VS Code:
Download the Figma extension for VS Code.
Log in with your credentials.
We can click the “Open in VS Code” button within Figma to seamlessly transition to your code editor.
Note
Some mockups may not clearly display the spacing between elements. In such cases:
Inspect the parent element to determine the exact spacing.
If you continue to have issues finding the correct values, consult the UX designer for clarification.
Summary
Translating Figma mockups into pixel-perfect code is a vital skill for frontend developers.
By meticulously inspecting design properties, utilizing Figma’s Default and Dev Modes, and integrating seamlessly with tools like VS Code, you can ensure that your final product mirrors the original design perfectly.
This precision not only enhances the user experience but also streamlines collaboration between designers and developers.
We at CreoWis believe in sharing knowledge publicly to help the developer community grow. Let’s collaborate, ideate, and craft passion to deliver awe-inspiring product experiences to the world.
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This article is crafted by Ajay Yadav, a passionate developer at CreoWis. You can reach out to him on X/Twitter, LinkedIn, and follow his work on GitHub.