Origami Studio for Designers: Meta's Free Prototyping Tool

Origami Studio is Meta’s free prototyping tool for creating advanced, interactive prototypes. It uses a patch-based visual programming system where you connect nodes to build interactions. Originally an internal tool at Facebook, Meta released it publicly for any designer to use. Origami handles complex interactions, animations, and device sensor input that simpler tools can’t match.

Key Specs

How Designers Use Origami Studio

Origami is for prototypes that need more than click-through flows.

For Complex Mobile Interactions

Build gesture-driven interfaces: swipe to delete, pull to refresh, drag to reorder. Origami’s interaction patches handle multi-touch, velocity-based animations, and physics. Prototype the nuanced feel of mobile interactions before development.

For VR and AR Experiences

Meta’s XR teams use Origami to prototype Meta Quest and AR glasses experiences. Test spatial interactions, 3D UI elements, and gaze-based inputs. If you’re designing for VR/AR, Origami is one of few tools that supports 3D prototyping.

For Conditional Logic and State

Create prototypes with branching logic: show different screens based on user input, remember selections across screens, validate forms. Origami’s logic patches (Switch, Or, And) and state patches let you build app-like behavior.

For Testing on Real Devices

Use Origami Live (free iOS app) to run prototypes on your iPhone or iPad. Test touch interactions, see how animations feel on real hardware, and get accurate performance feedback. The prototype runs locally, so it’s fast.

Origami Studio vs. Alternatives

Choose Origami if: You want a free, powerful tool and don’t mind the learning curve. Great for Meta product work, VR/AR, and complex interactions.

Choose ProtoPie if: You want similar power with an easier interface and Windows support. Better documentation and community.

Choose Principle if: You need quick animation prototypes without complex logic. Simpler, faster to learn.

Choose Figma if: Your prototyping needs are basic (click, transition, scroll). No need to learn another tool.

Getting Started with Origami Studio

Plan a few hours to understand the basics.

Step 1: Learn the patch editor

Open Origami and familiarize yourself with the canvas (your design) and the patch editor (your logic). Everything in Origami is connected through patches. Press Enter to search for patches. Start with simple interactions: Tap patch connected to an animation.

Step 2: Import designs from Figma or Sketch

Copy layers from Figma or import a Sketch file (File > Import). Your layers appear on the canvas. Position and resize them. Each layer can receive interactions through the patch editor.

Step 3: Build a tap interaction

Select a layer, add a Tap patch (Insert > Interaction > Tap), connect it to a Switch patch (toggles between on/off), connect the Switch output to a Layer’s opacity or position. Now tapping toggles the layer. This pattern (trigger > logic > animation) is how all Origami interactions work.

Origami Studio in Your Design Workflow

Origami fits when you need more than Figma prototyping can offer.

• Before Origami: Design screens in Figma or Sketch
• During prototyping: Build complex interactions in Origami, test on device with Origami Live
• After Origami: Record videos or GIFs for developer handoff, share Origami files with team

Common tool pairings:

• Origami + Figma for design in Figma, advanced prototyping in Origami
• Origami Live + iPhone for real-device testing
• Origami + Lottie for exporting animations to code (with workarounds)
• Origami + Meta Quest for VR prototype testing

Common Problems (and How to Fix Them)

“The patch editor is overwhelming”

Start with tutorials at origami.design. Build the example projects step by step. Focus on one concept at a time: first learn layers, then basic interactions, then logic patches. Don’t try to master everything at once.

“My prototype is laggy”

Complex patch networks can slow down. Simplify by reducing layer count, using Groups instead of individual layers where possible, and avoiding unnecessary patches. Test on device early to catch performance issues.

“I can’t figure out how to do X”

Check the official documentation and community forums. Origami has fewer tutorials than Figma or Sketch because the user base is smaller. Meta’s design YouTube channel has some helpful videos. The learning curve is real.

“Windows support?”

Not available. If you need Windows, use ProtoPie. It has similar capabilities with a different (arguably easier) interaction model.

“How do I hand off to developers?”

Record videos or GIFs of interactions. Export timing curves and values from the patch editor as specs. Origami doesn’t generate code, but the prototype serves as an interactive specification. Developers can run the prototype on their Macs to feel the interactions.