Sketch: Is it better to make as symbol one element or group of elements as one symbol?

Question

I am in situation where I would like to understand how to correctly organize design project symbols/symbol page to reuse them in design file later by different person.

For example, I am making a web design in Sketch and currently I am in Home page where are different sections like what we do, out works, our members etc. As an example I would like to mention members. There is a picture of member, heading text, body text and social profile icons. As a symbol I can create the picture and later use the override option to change it, I can create all these social icons as one symbol to reuse them later during the design process, OR I can select all this information (picture, texts and icons) and make it as symbol.

Can I choose between these methods and are they both correct for end user that will work with this file?

In addition to my question I would like to understand what counts as one UI element in Sketch design file. For example, it is one icon as one element or group of icons also can be as one element?

Answer 1

First, I think this is a good question and it shows that it is a bit tricky to understand the nesting of symbols, to create a good workflow for an fast and intuitive workflow as a designer.

Second, let me give you a brief introduction to nesting symbols. For example. You create one image for an avatar. Create a circle, place the image, make it a mask and your restult is a rounded profile image. Select the group and click "Create Symbol". Your Symbol is done.

After this you do the same steps with your icons. "UI element" is a very big word and can mean almost everything (buttons, listitem, tooltip, etc.) When you created symbols out of your icons we go to the next step.

Now you create your "user-card" element with the avatar symbol, the icons and some text. Select everything and click "Create Symbol". Boom, you created your first "nesting symbols"-symbol. This leads us to the very interesting part of "nested overrides". Lets say you copy your "user-card" the times and want to change the avatar, icons and text. If you select an element sketch-app is showing you the list of possible "Overrides" in the right sidebar.

Added this screenshot:

Read list for more information!

• Nested Symbols; Harness the power of Symbols, by nesting them.
• Sketch symbol best practices
• Unleashing The Full Potential Of Symbols In Sketch

Never stop learning Have fun! Sketch is the perfect tool for this workflow.

Answer 2

I would say One symbol of all elements. that way you have everything in one area combined into one thing. As apposed to multiple things of Multiple elements.