The LSX Design System is built with a wide variety of reusable components that streamline your design process and ensure consistency across projects. Each component can be customised using variant switching and properties, giving you flexibility while maintaining design integrity. Follow the steps below to effectively use components in your Figma file.

For in-depth information on how to use Figma components, visit their learning centre.

1. Accessing Components #

• Browse Components: You can access components by navigating to their respective pages (such as Buttons, Forms, Cards, etc.) in the Assets panel on the left-hand side.
• Search for Components: Use the search bar in the Assets panel to quickly find specific components.
• Drag & Drop: Once located, drag the component into your design canvas to begin working with it.

2. Customising Components with Properties

• Boolean Properties: Many components come with boolean-controlled properties (e.g., “Right Icon”, “Left Icon”, “Has Text”). These properties allow you to toggle certain elements within the component on or off.
  • Example: In a button component, you can toggle the Right Icon or Left Icon on or off depending on the design requirements.
• Text Properties: For components that display text (such as buttons, cards, or headings), the text property allows you to update the content quickly. Simply select the component and modify the text in the Text property field in the right-hand panel.

3. Switching Between Variants

• Variant Options: Components often come with multiple variants (e.g., Default, Hover, Active, Disabled states for buttons).
  • To switch between variants, select the component on the canvas and use the dropdown in the right-hand panel under Variants. From here, you can choose the state or style that fits your design needs.
  • Example: For buttons, you can switch between Primary, Secondary, CTA, and other button types or states (such as Hover or Active) depending on how you want the button to appear.

4. Adjusting Layout and Sizing

• Auto Layout: Many components are built with Auto Layout, which allows them to resize and adjust spacing automatically based on content. This ensures that the component maintains its design integrity regardless of text length or image size.
  • You can adjust padding, margins, and spacing directly in the Auto Layout settings in the right-hand panel.
• Resizing Components: Some components, like cards or grids, can be resized by dragging the corners. The system will automatically adapt the layout to maintain the correct proportions and spacing.

5. Maintaining Consistency Across Components

• Linked Variables: Components are tied to variables for colours, typography, and spacing. When these variables are updated, all linked components reflect the changes automatically, ensuring global consistency throughout your design.
  • Example: If the primary colour variable is updated, any button or text element using that colour will be updated globally across all components.
• Style Guide Integration: Components are pre-built to follow the styles defined in the Style Guide, so any changes made to the main styles (like colours, fonts, or grid systems) will be reflected in all instances of the component. This ensures that your design remains cohesive and aligned with the overarching style.

6. Detaching Components (If Necessary)

• Detaching Instances: If you need to make structural changes to a component, you can detach the instance from the main component. However, be aware that this will prevent you from switching between variants in the future.
  • To detach an instance, right-click on the component and select Detach Instance. This allows you to make custom adjustments while maintaining most of the component’s base properties.

7. Working with Nested Components

• Nested Components: Some components may contain other smaller components (for example, a card component may contain a button or image placeholder). These are referred to as nested components.
  • You can independently edit these nested elements by selecting them within the main component and making adjustments such as changing the image or modifying the text.

8. Testing Components in Prototypes

• Once your components are in place, you can use Figma’s prototyping features to test interactions. For example, you can link button states (such as Default to Hover) or create navigation flows between pages.
  • Components that have interactive states (like buttons with Hover or Active states) can be connected in your prototype to simulate real user interactions.

9. Updating Components

• As your project evolves, you may need to update components. If changes are made to the master component, they will be automatically reflected across all instances in your project.
  • You can also update components by re-syncing with the latest version of the design system file, ensuring you’re always working with the most up-to-date elements.

10. Useful Tips for Component Management

• Label Your Layers: When working with complex components, label your layers clearly to keep track of nested elements.
• Use Figma’s Version Control: If you’re making significant changes to components, consider using Figma’s version history to track edits and revert to earlier versions if necessary.
• Leverage Constraints: Components often include constraints (e.g., left, right, centre alignment) to help them adapt responsively to different screen sizes. Ensure you adjust these constraints as needed for flexible layouts.