How do you implement design tokens in Figma for developer handoff?

WHAT THIS TESTS: This question evaluates whether you can architect a token system that bridges design and engineering at scale. Interviewers want to see that you understand abstraction layers, naming contracts, and automation rather than just knowing how to create a color style in Figma.

A GOOD ANSWER COVERS: First, a three-tier token architecture. You should describe primitive tokens for raw values like base colors, spacing scales, and font sizes. Second, semantic tokens that map primitives to intent, such as surface-default or text-primary, so that themes and modes can be swapped without touching component files. Third, component tokens that alias semantic values for specific UI elements like button-background or input-border. Fourth, naming conventions that mirror the codebase, typically using category-concept-variant patterns like color-surface-default or spacing-md. Fifth, tool choice and sync strategy, such as using native Figma Variables with collection modes for light and dark themes, or using Tokens Studio to push and pull JSON from a Git repository so developers consume the exact same values. Sixth, documentation and governance, including a shared readme or Storybook reference that explains how to apply tokens and who owns updates.

COMMON WRONG ANSWERS: A red flag is describing a system where designers manually copy hex codes or static styles without aliasing. Another mistake is conflating primitives with semantics, which breaks theme switching. Saying you would use plugins without explaining how the sync pipeline works or how naming maps to code is also weak. Avoid suggesting that developers should manually transcribe Figma values.

LIKELY FOLLOW-UPS: The interviewer might ask how you would handle multi-brand theming or mode switching such as light, dark, and high contrast. They may probe how you manage token deprecation without breaking production, or how you resolve conflicts when a designer overrides a variable locally. You might also be asked to compare native Figma Variables against Tokens Studio for enterprise scale.

ONE CONCRETE EXAMPLE: Imagine redesigning a checkout flow. You would create a primitive collection with color-base-blue-500 and spacing-4. A semantic collection would alias those to surface-primary and gap-md. The button component then uses button-background mapped to surface-primary. You publish the variable modes for light and dark. Using Tokens Studio, you sync the JSON to a GitHub repo where Style Dictionary transforms it into CSS custom properties. When the design team updates color-base-blue-500 to a new brand blue, the change propagates through semantics and components into production code automatically.