Aliasing in Figma variables is a powerful feature that allows tokens to reference or adopt the value of other tokens. This dynamic capability ensures that changes to a source token automatically propagate to all tokens that reference it. By leveraging aliasing, you can manage and scale your design system with enhanced flexibility, consistency, and efficiency.
What is Aliasing?
Aliasing is the practice of assigning meaningful names to design elements, such as colors, typography, and spacing, while referencing their underlying values. Instead of directly using raw values like "#333333," you create an alias, such as "dark-gray," to represent this color. This abstraction enhances readability and maintainability, especially in larger design systems.
How Aliasing Works in Figma Variables
- Create a Global Collection: Define core variables, such as brand colors, fonts, and spacing.
- Define an Alias Collection: Assign meaningful names that reference the global variables, like "button-primary-color" referencing "primary-color."
- Apply Aliases in Components: Use these aliases in your components to ensure consistency and easy updates across your designs.
Benefits of Using Aliasing
1. Improved Maintainability
Aliasing eliminates the need for manual updates by ensuring that changes to a core value automatically update all related tokens. This streamlined workflow saves time and reduces errors.
2. Increased Readability
Aliases provide descriptive names, such as "success-green" or "heading-font-size," making your design system intuitive and easier to understand.
3. Enhanced Collaboration
Clear naming conventions improve communication between designers and developers. For example, a variable named "error-red" clearly indicates its purpose without requiring constant reference to documentation.
4. Scalability
As your design system grows, aliasing helps maintain a well-structured and consistent framework, simplifying future updates and expansions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Aliasing in Figma
Step 1: Start with Primitive Tokens
Primitive tokens are the raw, unchanging values forming the foundation of your design system. These include colors, font families, and spacing units.
Example - Global Collection:
- primary-color: #007bff
- secondary-color: #6c757d
- font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif
- spacing-4: 16px
Step 2: Build Semantic Tokens
Semantic tokens add meaning by referencing primitive tokens. They bridge the gap between raw values and their functional roles.
Example - Alias Collection:
- button-primary-color: primary-color
- button-secondary-color: secondary-color
- heading-font: font-family
- card-padding: spacing-4
These aliases clarify the intended purpose of each token within the system.
Step 3: Add Component-Specific Tokens
Component tokens are tailored to individual components, like buttons or headers. They can reference either primitive or semantic tokens.
Examples:
- button-large-padding: var(spacing-4)
- header-title-color: var(primary-color)
Component tokens ensure consistent styling within specific UI elements.
Step 4: Leverage Dynamic Relationships
Aliasing enables dynamic relationships between tokens. Updates to a source token automatically cascade to all referencing tokens, maintaining consistency across the system.
Example:
- Primitive Token: color-pink-400: #F55DAF
- Semantic Token: button-bg: var(color-pink-400)
- Component Token: header-bg: var(button-bg)
If color-pink-400 changes to #E91E63, both button-bg and header-bg will automatically update.
Structuring Your Tokens
Token organization should align with your system’s complexity. Here are common approaches:
1. Semantic Tokens Only
Define functional roles, such as "primary-button" or "secondary-text," using semantic tokens.
2. Component Tokens Only
Focus on tokens specific to individual components, such as buttons, cards, or modals.
3. Combination of Both
- Start with primitive tokens as the foundation.
- Layer semantic tokens for general meaning.
- Use component tokens for specific components.
Hierarchical Structure Example:
- Primitive → Semantic → Component
Alternatively, organize tokens at the same level, depending on your design needs.
Why Aliasing Matters
- Dynamic Updates: Automatically propagate changes to related tokens.
- Consistency: Maintain uniform styling across your design system.
- Scalability: Simplify the management of large-scale systems.
For instance, updating a brand color in the primitive token layer ensures all referencing components reflect the change instantly.
Conclusion
Aliasing in Figma is a transformative tool for design system management. By starting with primitive tokens and layering semantic or component-specific tokens, you can build a robust, maintainable, and scalable system. Whether you’re managing a small or complex design system, adopting aliasing will streamline your workflow and future-proof your designs.
Embrace aliasing in Figma today to elevate your design process and ensure consistency across every project.