Designing Responsive Websites in Webflow: Figma Design Widths & Fluid Typography

Webflow is a powerful design tool that allows users to create visually stunning and responsive websites without needing to write a single line of code. In this tutorial, we'll explore how to effectively design a website in Webflow using Figma as a reference for different design widths and transitioning between them for responsiveness.

To start, we'll consider the design in Figma, where we have a 1920-pixel-wide version and a 1440-pixel version. We're going to determine which design width works best in Webflow and how to effectively manage the transition between these design widths for a seamless user experience.

Design Widths in Figma

In Figma, the design at 1920 pixels wide and 1440 pixels wide serves as our starting point. We'll need to ensure that our designs are visually appealing and function well across various screen sizes in Webflow.

When designing in Figma, we can select specific elements, such as headings, and adjust their sizes according to the different design widths. For example, the heading in the smaller 1440-pixel design might be set to 66 pixels, while the heading in the larger 1920-pixel design is set to 88 pixels.

When previewing these design widths to fit the screen, we might not notice much visual difference between the two, as they maintain the same proportions. However, it's important to be mindful of how these design elements will translate into Webflow and adapt to different screen sizes.

Copying Designs from Figma to Webflow

Now, let's use the Figma to Webflow plugin to seamlessly copy over our design from Figma to Webflow. This plugin streamlines the process of bringing our designs into the Webflow platform, ensuring that the visual integrity of our designs is preserved throughout the transition.

After copying the 1920-pixel design and pasting it into Webflow, we need to consider how it appears on different screen sizes. It's important to note that most users will not view the design at the original 1920-pixel size. For instance, on a 15-inch MacBook with a 1660 screen size, the design might not display as intended. As we approach the tablet breakpoint, which starts at 991 pixels in Webflow, we'll notice elements overflowing and the need for adjustments.

Considering Responsive Designs in Webflow

As we continue our design process in Webflow, we need to be mindful of how our design will adapt as the screen size changes. For example, at the tablet breakpoint (991 pixels), the navigation might need to collapse into a hamburger menu, and images might stack underneath text.

Referring back to our 1920-pixel design in Figma, we observe that we run out of space in the navigation around the 1200-pixel mark. This is due to the larger font size and spacing in that version. However, when we reference the 1440-pixel design from Figma, we notice that there is adequate space in the navigation all the way into the 920-pixel mark, well below the tablet breakpoint in Webflow.

Utilizing the 1440 Design Width

Given these considerations, we decide to use the 1440 design width as our primary reference when bringing our design into Webflow. By copying over the 1440 design using the Figma to Webflow plugin, we ensure that our design adapts well within the Webflow platform.

Upon pasting the 1440 design into Webflow and previewing it, we find that everything looks great without the need for elements to wrap yet. Users with a screen size of 1440 or above will see the original design as intended, while the design only needs to wrap when the screen size goes below 1440 pixels.

Incorporating Fluid Typography in Webflow

To ensure a seamless experience across various screen sizes, we can incorporate fluid typography in Webflow. By using disproportionate scaling, all font sizes will retain their original size at the design width of 1440 pixels, shrink slightly when the screen size goes below 1440 pixels, and grow slightly when the screen size exceeds 1440 pixels. This approach helps fill up some of the extra space on larger screen sizes while respecting the user's font size preference.

For users with larger font sizes set, it's important to ensure that elements are set to wrap, allowing links to stack under each other if needed. By accommodating different user preferences and screen sizes, we can maintain a polished and cohesive design in Webflow.

Conclusion

In conclusion, designing in Webflow involves thoughtful consideration of design widths, responsiveness, and fluid typography. By referencing and adapting designs from Figma, utilizing plugins like Figma to Webflow for seamless transitions, and leveraging responsive design principles, we can create visually appealing and functional websites in Webflow. Remember to design with the user experience in mind, ensuring that the website looks and performs optimally across a variety of devices and screen sizes. If you're interested in learning more about fluid typography in Webflow, be sure to check out tutorials on advanced techniques such as the Wizardry technique for further exploration.