5 Practical Tips for Using Brushes in Figma for UI/UX Design
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 6 min read

Contents

  1. Use brushes to create custom shapes
  2. How to use brushes for detailed texturing
  3. Why brushes are useful for creating repetitive patterns
  4. Tips for using brushes in Figma for quick sketching
  5. How to use brushes to create custom icons for UI design

Designing in Figma takes a bit of finesse and creativity, especially when it comes to using brushes for UI/UX design. But don't fret, we've got you covered. This blog will walk you through five practical tips on how to use brush in Figma for UI/UX design to help you bring your design ideas to life. Whether you're looking to create custom shapes, add detailed texturing, or even design your very own icons, the versatility of brushes within Figma can make it all possible.

Use brushes to create custom shapes

Brushes in Figma are like magic wands—they can turn your simple designs into custom-shaped wonders. Let's explore how to use brush in Figma for UI/UX design to create custom shapes.

Understanding the Basics

Before we dive into creating custom shapes, it's important to understand how brushes work in Figma. Brushes are digital tools that mimic the effects of real-life painting and drawing tools. When you choose a brush, you can adjust its size, opacity, and blending mode to fit your design needs.

Creating Custom Shapes

Now, let's get to the fun part—creating custom shapes. Here's a simple step-by-step guide:

  1. First, select the brush tool from the toolbar.
  2. Next, adjust the size and opacity of your brush according to your design needs. Remember, the larger the brush size, the broader the stroke.
  3. Once you're satisfied with your settings, you can start drawing on the canvas. Don't worry about making it perfect, you can always undo or erase.
  4. Finally, for more complex shapes, you can combine multiple brush strokes by using the union operation under the boolean operations menu.

And voila! You've just created a custom shape using brushes in Figma.

Making the Most of Your Custom Shapes

Creating custom shapes is just the beginning. You can take your designs to the next level by adding colors, gradients, or even textures to your shapes. Remember, good design is all about experimentation, so don't be afraid to try new things and see how they work out.

In sum, knowing how to use brush in Figma for UI/UX design to create custom shapes can give you more control over your designs and allow you to express your creativity in ways that pre-made shapes simply can't. So go ahead, grab a brush and start creating!

How to use brushes for detailed texturing

Adding texture to your designs can give them a whole new dimension. But how do you achieve this with brushes in Figma? Let's find out.

Choosing the Right Brush for Texturing

When it comes to texturing, not all brushes are created equal. Some brushes have harder edges, while others have softer ones. For texturing, a brush with a softer edge often works best as it creates a more natural, seamless look.

Adding Texture to Your Design

Ready to add some texture to your design? Here's how you can do it:

  1. Choose a brush with a soft edge from the brush palette.
  2. Adjust the opacity of the brush to a lower setting. This allows the texture to subtly blend with your design.
  3. Start brushing over the area you want to texture. You can build up the texture by layering brush strokes.
  4. Experiment with different brushes and opacities to achieve the desired effect.

And there you have it - a more dynamic and interesting design thanks to the added texture!

Experimenting with Different Textures

Brushes in Figma offer a world of texturing possibilities. From simulating the look of fabric or metal to creating the illusion of depth, the sky's the limit. Don't be afraid to try different brushes and see what effects they can bring to your designs. Who knows, you might just stumble upon a new favorite texturing technique!

In conclusion, using brushes for detailed texturing in Figma can help bring your designs to life. It's all about experimenting and finding what works best for your design vision. So go ahead, roll up your sleeves, and start texturing!

Why brushes are useful for creating repetitive patterns

Repetitive patterns can add a whole new level of sophistication to your designs. But how does using brushes in Figma make this process easier? Let's explore this further.

Creating Consistency

Consistency is key when it comes to creating patterns. Brushes in Figma can help you maintain this consistency. How so? Well, once you create a pattern with a brush, you can easily replicate it across your design. This ensures that every element of your pattern matches perfectly.

Making Adjustments

Want to tweak your pattern a bit? No problem. With brushes in Figma, you can easily adjust the size, shape, and color of your pattern. This makes it a breeze to update your pattern without having to start from scratch.

Speeding Up the Design Process

Time is of the essence when you're working on a design project. Using brushes to create patterns can drastically cut down your design time. Instead of manually drawing each element of your pattern, you can quickly replicate it with a brush. This way, you can spend more time refining your design and less time drawing it.

In conclusion, brushes in Figma are a powerful tool for creating repetitive patterns. They allow you to create consistent, adjustable patterns in a fraction of the time it would take manually. So next time you're working on a design with a repetitive pattern, give brushes in Figma a try. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve!

Tips for using brushes in Figma for quick sketching

Sketching ideas quickly is a key part of the UI/UX design process. Figma brushes can be a great ally in this phase. But how exactly can you use them effectively for quick sketching? Let's dive in and find out.

Choosing the Right Brush

When sketching in Figma, it's important to choose the right brush. Brushes with a pencil-like texture can mimic the feeling of sketching on paper, making the transition from paper to digital smoother. Remember, the goal here is to capture ideas quickly, so choose a brush that feels natural to you.

Using Brush Size and Opacity

Brush size and opacity are two variables that you can play with when sketching. A larger brush size can be useful for creating bold, sweeping lines, while a smaller brush size can help add intricate details. Similarly, adjusting the opacity of your brush can be useful when layering sketches or indicating areas of emphasis.

Shortcut Mastery

Shortcuts can be a real lifesaver when you're sketching. They can help you switch between different brushes, adjust brush size, and change opacity levels quickly. Familiarize yourself with the shortcuts in Figma to speed up your sketching process.

Quick sketching in Figma is all about capturing your ideas efficiently. By choosing the right brush, playing with size and opacity, and mastering shortcuts, you can truly harness the power of brushes in Figma for quick sketching. So, next time you're brainstorming ideas for a UI/UX design, remember these tips, and let your creativity flow!

How to use brushes to create custom icons for UI design

Creating custom icons for your UI design can differentiate your design and make it truly unique. Brushes in Figma can be an excellent tool for this task, allowing you to bring a personal touch to your design. So, how can you use brushes in Figma to create custom icons? Let's find out.

Sketching the Icon

First things first, let's sketch the icon. You can use the brush tool to sketch the basic shape of your icon. Remember to keep it simple. Icons are small and need to be understood at a glance. So, stick to simple shapes and clear lines.

Fine-Tuning with Vector Tools

Once you've sketched your icon, it's time to fine-tune it. Brushes in Figma can be a bit rough around the edges. That's where Figma's vector tools come in. Use these tools to smooth out your lines and perfect your shapes.

Adding Texture with Brushes

Brushes can also be used to add texture to your icons. This can give your icons a hand-drawn feel, making them feel more personalized and unique. Try using different brushes to see what textures you can create.

Creating custom icons with brushes in Figma can be a fun and rewarding process. By sketching, fine-tuning, and adding texture, you can create unique icons that truly stand out. So next time you're designing a UI, why not give it a shot? With practice, you'll be creating stunning custom icons in no time!

If you enjoyed learning about practical tips for using brushes in Figma for UI/UX design, you'll definitely want to check out the workshop 'Basics of Figma for Absolute Beginners' by Ansh Mehra. This workshop is perfect for those who are just starting out with Figma and want to build a strong foundation in UI/UX design. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and become a more proficient designer!