Alice Packard outlines a series of creative and practical applications for design variables in Figma beyond the conventional dark/light theme toggling. Published on her personal blog, the post explores how Figma variables can streamline design work across states, conditions, accessibility needs, and responsive contexts. The first example—validation styling—is used to illustrate how designers can dynamically switch error states in forms, even within limited mode configurations.
Packard emphasizes the flexibility of variables for managing changes in UI without bloating component sets or relying on manual overrides. By rethinking modes beyond theme switching, designers can create systems that accommodate interaction states (like hover or error), content types, or device responsiveness. The article serves as a quick yet insightful guide for Figma power users looking to push the utility of variables further within their design systems.
