framer tutorial: building a responsive site from scratch

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to build a fully responsive website using Framer, starting from scratch. This guide follows a structured approach developed by top Framer experts and focuses on recreating sections from the Framer landing page. You'll incorporate features like an animated gradient background, parallax scrolling effects, and advanced grid layouts.

Step 1: Structure Setup

• Create a new Framer project.
• Set up your site structure:
  • Utilize a mobile-first approach by beginning with the smallest screen size.
  • Define the main sections of your site: Hero, Social Proof, Advanced Grid, Navigation, and Layout Template.
• Organize your layers clearly to maintain a clean workflow.

Step 2: Building Sections - Hero

• Start by designing the Hero section:
  • Add a full-width background.
  • Use an animated gradient for visual appeal.
  • Include a catchy headline and a call-to-action button.
• Ensure that text and button sizes scale appropriately for different screen sizes.

Step 3: Building Sections - Social Proof

• Create a section to display testimonials or social proof:
  • Use a grid layout to organize testimonials.
  • Incorporate images or icons to enhance visual engagement.
  • Use hover effects to make it interactive.
• Test responsiveness by adjusting screen sizes and ensuring content remains well-aligned.

Step 4: Building Sections - Advanced Grid

• Implement an advanced grid layout for showcasing portfolio items or features:
  • Use the bento grid system for flexible item placement.
  • Ensure each grid item is responsive and maintains proportion across devices.
• Integrate animations to create smooth transitions when items are hovered over or clicked.

Step 5: Responsive Navigation

• Design a responsive navigation bar:
  • Use a hamburger menu for mobile views.
  • Include links to major sections of the site.
  • Ensure the navigation is accessible and easy to use on all devices.
• Test the navigation on various screen sizes to confirm it functions correctly.

Step 6: Layout Template

• Create a layout template that can be reused across different pages:
  • Define headers and footers.
  • Include a consistent grid structure for content placement.
• Make sure the template is flexible enough to accommodate different types of content.

Step 7: Intro Animations

• Add introductory animations to enhance user experience:
  • Use Framer's animation tools to create subtle animations as users scroll or navigate.
  • Focus on maintaining a balance so that animations do not distract from the content.

Step 8: Additional Resources

• Explore further learning materials:
  • Visit Framer University for tutorials and resources.
  • Consider remixing the tutorial project to experiment with your own designs.
• Follow Framer on social media for updates and community tips.

Conclusion

You have now built a fully responsive website using Framer, complete with various modern design elements. Remember to continually test your site on different devices and screen sizes. As a next step, consider adding more interactive features or exploring advanced animations to further enhance user engagement. Happy designing!