Orbit

Inspired by the space age graphics and interfaces of old, Orbit is a Figma plugin that allows you to rotate objects around a point. It works across Figma Design and Figma Slides.

Problem

Photoshop and other design tools have similar methods of duplication, often called ‘repeat transforms’. There are also multiple Figma plugins out there to create Venn diagrams, rotate text around an arc, and create circular text, however rotated objects with reference to a point.

Solution

I wanted to make something fast, free, and fun in a way that promotes experimentation. Beyond that, I challenged myself to get a working build in from scratch in less than an hour.

It does exactly what it says on the tin: distributing copies of any object around a configurable arc. Users can control the count, distance from centre, origin angle, sweep, and rotation mode — which alone produces wildly different results depending on the selection.

The live preview was the most considered part of the UI: distribution and rotation are hard to visualise mentally, so showing the output in real time, framed in the space-age aesthetic, keeps experimentation fast and low-stakes. Making and using my own tool means I know exactly when to use it.

If you would like, you can check out Orbit in Figma.

Examples

To learn more about this project, please reach out.