Adaptive Layout with Stacks and Constraints in Framer
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Create responsive designs easily using stacks and constraints in Framer. Perfect for adaptive layouts for web and mobile projects
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Master No-Code Web Design with Framer
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Complete Beginner-Friendly Framer Course
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Stacks
In Framer, a stack is a powerful layout tool that allows designers to automatically arrange and space out components in a container. You can think of it as a box that holds other UI elements. The elements inside a stack are automatically arranged in a horizontal or vertical line. This makes it easy to maintain consistent spacing and alignment, crucial for a clean and organized interface. When you add or remove elements, the stack adjusts accordingly, maintaining the layout without manual adjustment.
- Direction: Stacks can be set to arrange elements in either a horizontal or vertical line.
- Distribute: Stacks automatically distribute the elements evenly within the container, creating consistent spacing between components.
- Align: Stacks provide alignment options such as top, center, and bottom alignment, ensuring elements are positioned correctly within the container.
- Wrap: Stacks can wrap elements onto multiple lines if there is not enough space in the container, allowing for flexible layouts.
- Gap: Stacks allow designers to adjust the gap between elements, controlling the spacing between components.
- Padding: Stacks can have padding applied, which adds space around the edges of the container, enhancing the appearance and organization of the interface.
Adding a Stack
- Select the Eyebrow button, Title, Text and Button and press Option + Cmd + Enter to put them in a Stack.
- Set the Height to Fit Content and Gap to 20.
- Set the Stack's width to 510 and height Fit.
Overflow Visible
By default, elements outside the bounds of a Frame will be hidden. This is similar to Masking in Figma. You can change by going to the Overflow option and set to Visible.
- If you're using Drop Shadows or Glows, it's best to set the Overflow to Visible.
Fixed, Fit and Fill
Making your layout adaptive starts with fine-tuning the small elements. By using a combination of Fixed, Fit, and Fill options within your stacks, you can create adaptive layouts that adjust to different screen sizes and content lengths. This allows your interface to look great on various devices and accommodate different amounts of content without sacrificing design consistency and organization.
- Fit Content: Buttons can grow based on the text.
- Fill: Titles and texts should fill the available space of the container.
- Fixed: Containers can have a Fixed size in Desktop mode and a Fill size in Mobile.
Constraints
Constraints in Framer are rules or limitations that can be applied to elements in order to control their size, position, and behavior within a layout. With constraints, designers can ensure that elements maintain their proportions and alignment when the screen size or device orientation changes. Constraints can be set on the x-axis, y-axis, width, height, and even on the aspect ratio of an element. This helps in creating responsive and adaptable designs that work well on different devices and screen sizes.
Adding Constraints
- Select the Stack and set to Top 140. Make sure it's centered horizontally.
- Set the Browse App to Top 532, Center.
- Set the Progress Ring to Top 460, Left 30.
- Set the Main Card to Top 490, Right 80.
- Set the Score to Top 800, Right 30.
- Create Gradient and copy the Fill from Background. Resize to 1000x1000.
- Set the Gradient to Top 14, Center.
- Set the Lines to Top 20, Center.
Constraints Within Stack
Items inside a stack will automatically distribute. However, you can also change the Position to Absolute, it will float using Constraints.
- Select the Logo within the Testimonial inside Browse App.
Constraints Within Frame
If you want items to follow the same bounds, it's best to Frame them together. In the case of the Browse App, we want the Progress View, Score and Main Card to reference it.
- Select Browse App and Frame (Cmd + Enter).
- Rename Frame to UI.
- Set the UI to Overflow Visible.
- Move the Progress View, Main Card and Score to UI. Do it from the Layers List to keep the same constraints. Notice that only the values change.
Left and Right Constraints
You can make your element adapt to the size of the canvas if you set the Contraints to Left and Right.
- Select the UI and set the Left and Right values to 112.
Navigation Menu and Fixed Position
Most navigation menus float at the top regardless of the scroll. To do this, you can set the Position to Fixed instead of Absolute.
- Copy and Paste the Navigation Menu and set the Top, Left and Right to 0.
- Set the Distribution to Center.
- Fix the Logo by using Copy as SVG in Figma and Paste in Framer.
Resize Canvas
At any point, you can always resize your Canvas to set how it adapts to the screen. Also, it's good practice to work with a wider and taller Desktop canvas to cover the full range of a big screen.
- Select Desktop and set the Width to 1200 and Height to 1440.
Resize Preview
While previewing your design, you can quickly resize the viewpoint horizontally and vertically.
- Press on the Play button in the top right.
- Resize the viewpoint to test your layout.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Framer's Adaptive Layout feature, combined with Stacks and Constraints, offers a powerful and efficient way for designers to create responsive and adaptable designs. By utilizing Stacks for automatic layout adjustments and Constraints for precise control over element positioning and behavior, designers can ensure a consistent user experience across different devices and screen sizes. This feature simplifies the design process, allowing for easy customization and fine-tuning of layouts to accommodate varying content lengths and screen sizes. Overall, Framer's Adaptive Layout with Stacks and Constraints is a valuable tool for creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces that work seamlessly across all devices.
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Assets
Videos
1
Complete Beginner-Friendly Framer Course
4-hour free course to create beautiful, modern interfaces. Dark mode and glass designs, from Figma to Framer, using stack and grid layouts
7:09
2
Create Your First Layout in Framer
Master the basics of layout creation in Framer with this comprehensive step-by-step guide for beginners. Start building your designs today!
13:47
3
Generate Layout with AI in Framer
Create stunning websites with ease using Framer's AI-powered layout generator
7:26
4
Basic Layout and Interactive Elements
Learn how to create a user-friendly layout with interactive elements to enhance the user experience and engagement on your website or app
15:28
5
Text and Vector Animations
Transform your content with captivating text and vector animations
18:14
6
UI Design from Figma to Framer
Mastering the art of transitioning your UI design projects seamlessly from Figma to Framer with expert tips and techniques
13:16
7
Adaptive Layout with Stacks and Constraints in Framer
Create responsive designs easily using stacks and constraints in Framer. Perfect for adaptive layouts for web and mobile projects
12:03
8
Responsive Layout with Breakpoints and Min Max
Create a user-friendly website with responsive design, incorporating breakpoints and min-max values to ensure optimal display on all devices
13:55
9
Button Components, Variables and Variants
Explore different button components, variables, and variants to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your projects
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Mastering Framer Effects: Create interactive sites with Appear, Hover, Press, Loop, Drag Effects
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Learn how to create dynamic Framer sites with advanced features for interactive designs
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Enhance User Navigation with Sticky Elements and Scroll Variants in Framer
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Copy Components, Custom Cursors and 3D Embeds
Learn how to incorporate Framer's interactive elements into your designs
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14
Grid and Bento Layout
Enhancing Your Designs with Grid and Bento Layouts in Framer
11:26
15
Icon Animation, Menu and Overlay
Web Design User Experience with Icon Animation, Menus, and Overlays in Framer
11:00
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Code Components with Basic CSS
Create Basic Code Components with CSS in Framer
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Property Controls in Framer
Mastering Property Controls for Interactive Framer Components
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Code Overrides in Framer
Enhancing Your Framer Elements with Code Overrides
13:23
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CMS Collection Page and Detail
Integrating Figma Designs with Framer and CMS
14:22
20
Search and Navigation
Enhancing User Experience: Search, Navigation, and Footer Integration
14:25
Meet the instructor
We all try to be consistent with our way of teaching step-by-step, providing source files and prioritizing design in our courses.
Meng To
I design, code and write
Meng To is the author of Design+Code. Meng started off his career as a self-taught designer from Montreal and eventually traveled around the world for 2 years as his US VISA was denied. During his travels, he wrote a book which now has 35,000 readers.
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