A designer’s guide to flexbox and grid layout

UI design tools like Figma are increasingly bridging the gap between design and development by translating design elements into code, with features such as auto layout having a significant impact by generating CSS flexbox code for responsive web development. While grid layout is another option for creating structured designs, it is less supported in current UI tools, though platforms like Penpot and the Anima plugin for Figma offer solutions for generating grid layout code. Flexbox is particularly advantageous for creating dynamic and manageable layouts, especially for responsive designs, by understanding element relationships and respecting boundaries. Despite the complexity of managing multiple design frames, auto layout simplifies the process by offering fluid and adaptable design options that can be easily translated into code, enhancing the workflow between designers and developers. As design tools evolve, the integration of flexbox and grid layouts into design-to-code processes is becoming more accessible, allowing for more efficient creation of dynamic and responsive web designs.