Responsive Design in Sketch: Group Resizing vs. Auto Layout Plugin

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We updated this article in April 2017 so that we could compare Sketch’s responsive design features with the critically-acclaimed Auto Layout plugin.

Responsive design in Sketch

Rejoice, fellow Sketch users! Sketch 39 finally delivered us the ability to create truly fluid layouts. Fluid layouts are layouts whose individual elements can auto-resize, float to one side, or remain fixed in place as the size of the viewport/browser changes ⏤ the basic concept of responsive design is derived from fluid design.

In Sketch, fluid design is known as Group Resizing, offering similar functionality to the Fluid Plugin for Sketch; the crucial difference is that Group Resizing is a native feature, and therefore offers a more streamlined user experience while offering pretty much the same functionality. Group Resizing is the clear winner here!

However, Sketch fans have been raving about this Auto Layout Plugin for Sketch. Auto Layout obviously doesn’t deliver the fluid design features natively, but it’s built to appear as such, and actually delivers a faster workflow than Group Resizing due to some of its additional features (such as the ability to toggle Artboard orientation, and the ability to quickly convert, say, an iPhone 7 Artboard to an iPhone 6 Artboard (this is useful for testing Universal Apps for responsiveness).

So, which is better, Group Resizing or the Auto Layout Plugin? Well, I use the native Group Resizing feature for mocking up smaller, more conceptual ideas, but the Auto Layout Plugin when I need to work on something bigger (a slightly less-native experience is a fair trade-off for the extra features that it brings).

Let’s take a quick crash course in designing responsive layouts in Sketch, as we learn about both Group Resizing and Auto Layout, as they are both awesome, and can both be installed at the same time!

Why Design Responsive Layouts?

Being able to test rough responsive layouts before you begin designing high-fidelity prototypes reduces the likelihood of encountering setbacks later on (setbacks as a result of not testing your concept on all screen sizes). In fact, taking a mobile-first approach to low-fidelity prototyping before you even begin accepting feedback, is probably the best (and safest) way of validating your ideas and delivering a responsive solution to a design.

Fluid design certainly doesn’t account for elements that you’d like to hide (or change, visually) when adapting the screen size of devices, but it does mean that Groups in Sketch have suddenly become far more useful. It’s not 100% responsive design, but it’s close enough.

Groups can now be resized without scaling all of the objects inside them, which is quite ideal for when you need to duplicate mobile Artboards and scale them up (because mobile-first!) to desktop Artboards. Your logo (for instance) would need to remain in the top-left corner, your menu would need to remain in the top-right corner, and your main body of content would float evenly in the center of the screen. Group Resizing and Auto Layout makes this happen.

Let’s take a look at Group Resizing first.

Step 1: Low-Fidelity Prototyping

Before adding colours, fonts and other visual aesthetics, it’s best to design a low-fidelity mockup of your concept first. Low-fidelity design can be blazingly quick; it doesn’t have to take up too much of your time (in fact, it will probably save you some time in long run, as you can afterwards move forward with the peace of mind that your concept works).

Press A for Artboard, then select the “Desktop HD” Artboard from the Inspector.

Design a logotype in the top-left corner of the Artboard using a vague combination of text and shapes, as you would do creating a simple wireframe. Repeat these steps with a top-right menu and a centred heading+text combination (nothing fancy, we’re only experimenting with an idea here). After that, Group all of the logotype layers together, then all of the menu layers, then all of the centred content layers, and then finally all of the Groups together into a single Group.

For quick reference:

  • Rectangle: R
  • Oval: 0
  • Text: T
  • Group: Command+G

Mocking up low-fidelity designs or wireframes

Step 2: Putting Resizing Rules in Place

Pin and Stretch

Now this is where we define the positioning of our canvas objects. Naturally, the logo needs to remain in the top-left corner, so choose “Pin to corner” from the “Resizing” select box in the Inspector, where the relevant corner is whichever corner the layer is closest too (you probably noticed that the first option was “Stretch” ⏤ this is the default behavior when resizing Groups, the behaviour that you’ve been familiar with all this time).

Repeat this step for the top-right corner menu.

Pinning elements to the corner of a Group

Resize Object

It took me a while to realise how “Resize object” works. It doesn’t scale the layer relatively, it scales the layer by the same amount that you’re scaling the Group that contains it.

This is…unconventional, but, fortunately, we won’t need it for this tutorial.

Float in Place

“Float in Place” does exactly what you think it does. It keeps layers aligned when resizing, however, it’s especially useful for centring layers either horizontally or vertically, so let’s do that with our centred content to keep it horizontally aligned.

Horizontally aligning content

In the next step, we’ll resize our Group to test it for responsiveness, and use that information to determine where the responsive breakpoints should be; these breakpoints determine which screen size a design needs to be adapted for a better user experience.

Duplicate your Artboard and start to resize the Group.

Step 3: Resizing Groups for Responsive Testing

After resizing the Group, there comes a moment when the design simply doesn’t make sense anymore. In this case, the logo and the menu start to overlap, and the centred content feels too large for such a small screen ⏤ this means that we’ve reached a breakpoint and we now need to adapt our layout.

Responsive breakpoint testing

Select the Artboard from the Layer List and click the “Resize to Fit” button in the Inspector, then scale up the Artboard to the next common screen size, which is Responsive Web Design → Tablet Portrait).

Adapting the layout to fit tablet screens

You can then take this one step further and test on a mobile device, or alternatively, you can reverse these steps for a mobile-first approach (recommended). As you can see, the design needs restructuring on a mobile device to offer a better user experience, hence the conversion of the menu to a nav icon.

However, since Group Resizing has kept the layout aligned for us, all that’s left to do is wireframe the navigation icon and change the font-size of the centred elements. So easy!

Animation: Adaptive Sketch app
Adapting the layout to fit mobile screens

Group Resizing vs. Auto Layout Plugin

So how does Auto Layout differ from Group Resizing? First of all, Auto Layout resides in a cute little box in the Inspector, which is what makes Auto Layout feel like a native feature. Secondly, if you select the “Pin” dropdown, you’ll see all of the features that you’re already familiar with from using Group Resizing. From here you can pin an element to a corner, align an element vertically, or specify the width of an element in percentages. Pretty standard stuff, not much different from Group Resizing so far.

Pin settings in Auto Layout

Orientation and Artboard Size

Let’s take a look at where Auto Layout really shines. Click the device orientation icon to rapidly toggle between “Portrait” and “Landscape” mode ⏤ while Group Resizing does let us create fluid designs, as does Auto Layout, Auto Layout lets us switch orientation with a simple click.

Here, I’ve duplicated the Artboard so that you can see the two orientations side-by-side.

Next, lets convert our Artboard from iPhone 7 to iPhone 7+ and iPhone SE. Again, I’ve duplicated the Artboard so that you can see the comparison side-by-side.

Previewing in multiple devices

Generating an Overview of All Screen Sizes

In reality, you would work with the same Artboard throughout, converting the same Artboard back-and-forth as you test your fluid settings in different device sizes. That being said, should you need to see your design in all device sizes at once (maybe you’d like to export the Artboards to demonstrate to your team how the design would look on all screen sizes), simply select the “Generate Overview” option.

Creating responsive overviews in Auto Layout

Conclusion

I used the Group Resizing feature only for a short while before I understood how useful it was for creating and testing fluid layouts, and I still use it to this day for rapidly visualising a responsive concept. For more in-depth mockups that need to be tested in a variety of devices, Auto Layout can help you switch up your Artboard sizes (and orientations) for rapid testing in mere seconds. Plus, when combined with the Slinky Sketch Plugin, you can also create (and export) responsive emails as HTML!

Frequently Asked Questions on Responsive Design in Sketch

How does Sketch’s responsive design differ from other design tools?

Sketch’s responsive design is unique because it offers a feature called Smart Layout. This feature allows designers to create responsive components that adjust automatically when the content changes. Unlike other design tools, Sketch’s Smart Layout provides a more intuitive and efficient way to design responsive interfaces. It eliminates the need for manual adjustments, saving designers valuable time and effort.

What is the Auto Layout feature in Sketch?

Auto Layout is a powerful feature in Sketch that allows designers to create flexible layouts that can adapt to different screen sizes and content changes. With Auto Layout, you can set fixed or flexible widths, heights, and distances between elements, making your designs more responsive and adaptable. It’s a game-changer for designers who frequently work on projects that need to be responsive.

How does the Canvas in Sketch work?

The Canvas in Sketch is the workspace where you create your designs. It’s an infinite space that allows you to freely move and arrange your artboards and layers. The Canvas also has a Ruler feature that helps you measure and align your elements accurately. Additionally, you can zoom in and out and navigate around the Canvas using simple keyboard shortcuts.

What is the purpose of the Sketch App Sources?

Sketch App Sources is a community-driven platform where Sketch users can share and download free Sketch resources. It includes UI kits, icons, wireframes, and more. It’s a great place to find inspiration, learn from other designers, and speed up your design process.

How can I get started with Sketch?

To get started with Sketch, you can download the app from the Sketch website. They offer a free trial for new users. Once you’ve installed the app, you can start exploring its features and tools. Sketch also provides comprehensive documentation and tutorials on their website to help you learn how to use the app effectively.

How does Sketch handle responsive design?

Sketch handles responsive design through its Smart Layout and Auto Layout features. These features allow you to create designs that can adapt to different screen sizes and content changes. You can set constraints and rules for your elements, making your designs more flexible and responsive.

Can I use Sketch for web design?

Yes, Sketch is a powerful tool for web design. It offers a range of features and tools that can help you create responsive, pixel-perfect web designs. You can also export your designs in various formats, making it easy to hand off your designs to developers.

What are the system requirements for Sketch?

Sketch is a Mac-only app. It requires macOS High Sierra (10.13.4) or later. It’s also recommended to have at least 4GB of RAM for smooth performance.

Can I collaborate with my team in Sketch?

Yes, Sketch offers a feature called Sketch Cloud that allows you to share, collaborate, and gather feedback on your designs with your team. You can upload your Sketch files to the cloud and invite others to view and comment on your designs.

Is there a community for Sketch users?

Yes, there’s a vibrant community of Sketch users. You can join the Sketch community to share your work, get feedback, learn from others, and stay updated with the latest Sketch news and updates. There are also numerous online forums, groups, and resources where you can connect with other Sketch users.

Daniel SchwarzDaniel Schwarz
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Previously, design blog editor at Toptal and SitePoint. Now Daniel advocates for better UX design alongside industry leaders such as Adobe, InVision, Marvel, Wix, Net Magazine, LogRocket, CSS-Tricks, and more.

adaptive designAlexWfluid design
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