diff --git a/components/src/atoms/InputField/index.tsx b/components/src/atoms/InputField/index.tsx
index 8933ca5345c..14a4f520377 100644
--- a/components/src/atoms/InputField/index.tsx
+++ b/components/src/atoms/InputField/index.tsx
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ export interface InputFieldProps {
   leftIcon?: IconName
   showDeleteIcon?: boolean
   onDelete?: () => void
+  hasBackgroundError?: boolean
 }
 
 export const InputField = React.forwardRef<HTMLInputElement, InputFieldProps>(
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ export const InputField = React.forwardRef<HTMLInputElement, InputFieldProps>(
       tooltipText,
       tabIndex = 0,
       showDeleteIcon = false,
+      hasBackgroundError = false,
       ...inputProps
     } = props
     const hasError = props.error != null
@@ -103,11 +105,13 @@ export const InputField = React.forwardRef<HTMLInputElement, InputFieldProps>(
 
     const INPUT_FIELD = css`
       display: flex;
-      background-color: ${COLORS.white};
+      background-color: ${hasBackgroundError ? COLORS.red30 : COLORS.white};
       border-radius: ${BORDERS.borderRadius4};
       padding: ${SPACING.spacing8};
-      border: 1px ${BORDERS.styleSolid}
-        ${hasError ? COLORS.red50 : COLORS.grey50};
+      border: ${hasBackgroundError
+        ? 'none'
+        : `1px ${BORDERS.styleSolid}
+        ${hasError ? COLORS.red50 : COLORS.grey50}`};
       font-size: ${TYPOGRAPHY.fontSizeP};
       width: 100%;
       height: ${size === 'small' ? '2rem' : '2.75rem'};
@@ -321,10 +325,7 @@ export const InputField = React.forwardRef<HTMLInputElement, InputFieldProps>(
             </StyledText>
           ) : null}
           {hasError ? (
-            <StyledText
-              desktopStyle="bodyDefaultRegular"
-              css={ERROR_TEXT_STYLE}
-            >
+            <StyledText desktopStyle="captionRegular" css={ERROR_TEXT_STYLE}>
               {props.error}
             </StyledText>
           ) : null}
@@ -335,6 +336,7 @@ export const InputField = React.forwardRef<HTMLInputElement, InputFieldProps>(
 )
 
 const StyledInput = styled.input`
+  background-color: transparent;
   &::placeholder {
     color: ${COLORS.grey40};
   }
diff --git a/components/src/molecules/DropdownMenu/index.tsx b/components/src/molecules/DropdownMenu/index.tsx
index 30a02209121..af336737fa5 100644
--- a/components/src/molecules/DropdownMenu/index.tsx
+++ b/components/src/molecules/DropdownMenu/index.tsx
@@ -63,6 +63,10 @@ export interface DropdownMenuProps {
   tabIndex?: number
   /** optional error */
   error?: string | null
+  /** focus handler */
+  onFocus?: React.FocusEventHandler<HTMLButtonElement>
+  /** blur handler */
+  onBlur?: React.FocusEventHandler<HTMLButtonElement>
 }
 
 // TODO: (smb: 4/15/22) refactor this to use html select for accessibility
@@ -79,6 +83,8 @@ export function DropdownMenu(props: DropdownMenuProps): JSX.Element {
     tooltipText,
     tabIndex = 0,
     error,
+    onFocus,
+    onBlur,
   } = props
   const [targetProps, tooltipProps] = useHoverTooltip()
   const [showDropdownMenu, setShowDropdownMenu] = React.useState<boolean>(false)
@@ -222,6 +228,8 @@ export function DropdownMenu(props: DropdownMenuProps): JSX.Element {
             e.preventDefault()
             toggleSetShowDropdownMenu()
           }}
+          onFocus={onFocus}
+          onBlur={onBlur}
           css={DROPDOWN_STYLE}
           tabIndex={tabIndex}
         >
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/molecules/DropdownStepFormField/index.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/molecules/DropdownStepFormField/index.tsx
index a6777a5be00..6cd81c742c4 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/molecules/DropdownStepFormField/index.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/molecules/DropdownStepFormField/index.tsx
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ export function DropdownStepFormField(
     tooltipContent,
     addPadding = true,
     width = '17.5rem',
+    onFieldFocus,
+    onFieldBlur,
   } = props
   const { t } = useTranslation('tooltip')
   const availableOptionId = options.find(opt => opt.value === value)
@@ -35,6 +37,8 @@ export function DropdownStepFormField(
         dropdownType="neutral"
         filterOptions={options}
         title={title}
+        onBlur={onFieldBlur}
+        onFocus={onFieldFocus}
         currentOption={
           availableOptionId ?? { name: 'Choose option', value: '' }
         }
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/organisms/Alerts/FormAlerts.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/organisms/Alerts/FormAlerts.tsx
index 290295305af..d08e25e1ec6 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/organisms/Alerts/FormAlerts.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/organisms/Alerts/FormAlerts.tsx
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ function FormAlertsComponent(props: FormAlertsProps): JSX.Element | null {
             : undefined
         }
         width="100%"
+        iconMarginLeft={SPACING.spacing4}
       >
         <Flex flexDirection={DIRECTION_COLUMN} gridGap={SPACING.spacing4}>
           <StyledText desktopStyle="bodyDefaultSemiBold">
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/PipetteFields/WellSelectionField.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/PipetteFields/WellSelectionField.tsx
index 0775e14304e..57125f7b8a1 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/PipetteFields/WellSelectionField.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/PipetteFields/WellSelectionField.tsx
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ export type WellSelectionFieldProps = FieldProps & {
   nozzles: string | null
   pipetteId?: string | null
   labwareId?: string | null
+  hasFormError?: boolean
 }
 
 export const WellSelectionField = (
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ export const WellSelectionField = (
     disabled,
     errorToShow,
     tooltipContent,
+    hasFormError,
   } = props
   const { t, i18n } = useTranslation(['form', 'tooltip'])
   const dispatch = useDispatch()
@@ -90,7 +92,6 @@ export const WellSelectionField = (
       ? t(`step_edit_form.wellSelectionLabel.columns_${name}`)
       : t(`step_edit_form.wellSelectionLabel.wells_${name}`)
   const [targetProps, tooltipProps] = useHoverTooltip()
-
   return (
     <>
       <Flex flexDirection={DIRECTION_COLUMN} padding={SPACING.spacing16}>
@@ -116,6 +117,7 @@ export const WellSelectionField = (
           error={errorToShow}
           value={primaryWellCount}
           onClick={handleOpen}
+          hasBackgroundError={hasFormError}
         />
       </Flex>
       {createPortal(
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepFormToolbox.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepFormToolbox.tsx
index 9c60605163c..79287acc49f 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepFormToolbox.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepFormToolbox.tsx
@@ -36,10 +36,15 @@ import {
   TemperatureTools,
   ThermocyclerTools,
 } from './StepTools'
-import { getSaveStepSnackbarText } from './utils'
+import {
+  getSaveStepSnackbarText,
+  getVisibleFormErrors,
+  getVisibleFormWarnings,
+} from './utils'
 import type { StepFieldName } from '../../../../steplist/fieldLevel'
 import type { FormData, StepType } from '../../../../form-types'
 import type { FieldPropsByName, FocusHandlers, StepFormProps } from './types'
+import { getFormLevelErrorsForUnsavedForm } from '../../../../step-forms/selectors'
 
 type StepFormMap = {
   [K in StepType]?: React.ComponentType<StepFormProps> | null
@@ -91,6 +96,9 @@ export function StepFormToolbox(props: StepFormToolboxProps): JSX.Element {
   const timelineWarningsForSelectedStep = useSelector(
     getTimelineWarningsForSelectedStep
   )
+  const formLevelErrorsForUnsavedForm = useSelector(
+    getFormLevelErrorsForUnsavedForm
+  )
   const timeline = useSelector(getRobotStateTimeline)
   const [toolboxStep, setToolboxStep] = useState<number>(
     // progress to step 2 if thermocycler form is populated
@@ -103,6 +111,16 @@ export function StepFormToolbox(props: StepFormToolboxProps): JSX.Element {
     showFormErrorsAndWarnings,
     setShowFormErrorsAndWarnings,
   ] = useState<boolean>(false)
+  const visibleFormWarnings = getVisibleFormWarnings({
+    focusedField,
+    dirtyFields: dirtyFields ?? [],
+    errors: formWarningsForSelectedStep,
+  })
+  const visibleFormErrors = getVisibleFormErrors({
+    focusedField,
+    dirtyFields: dirtyFields ?? [],
+    errors: formLevelErrorsForUnsavedForm,
+  })
   const [isRename, setIsRename] = useState<boolean>(false)
   const icon = stepIconsByType[formData.stepType]
 
@@ -126,7 +144,7 @@ export function StepFormToolbox(props: StepFormToolboxProps): JSX.Element {
     formData.stepType === 'mix' ||
     formData.stepType === 'thermocycler'
   const numWarnings =
-    formWarningsForSelectedStep.length + timelineWarningsForSelectedStep.length
+    visibleFormWarnings.length + timelineWarningsForSelectedStep.length
   const numErrors = timeline.errors?.length ?? 0
 
   const handleSaveClick = (): void => {
@@ -229,6 +247,7 @@ export function StepFormToolbox(props: StepFormToolboxProps): JSX.Element {
             propsForFields,
             focusHandlers,
             toolboxStep,
+            visibleFormErrors,
           }}
         />
       </Toolbox>
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/MixTools/index.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/MixTools/index.tsx
index b9781a92118..893a2b4d5f1 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/MixTools/index.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/MixTools/index.tsx
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ import {
 import type { StepFormProps } from '../../types'
 
 export function MixTools(props: StepFormProps): JSX.Element {
-  const { propsForFields, formData, toolboxStep } = props
+  const { propsForFields, formData, toolboxStep, visibleFormErrors } = props
   const pipettes = useSelector(getPipetteEntities)
   const enableReturnTip = useSelector(getEnableReturnTip)
   const labwares = useSelector(getLabwareEntities)
@@ -89,6 +89,11 @@ export function MixTools(props: StepFormProps): JSX.Element {
         labwareId={formData.labware}
         pipetteId={formData.pipette}
         nozzles={String(propsForFields.nozzles.value) ?? null}
+        hasFormError={
+          visibleFormErrors?.some(error =>
+            error.dependentFields.includes('labware')
+          ) ?? false
+        }
       />
       <Divider marginY="0" />
       <VolumeField {...propsForFields.volume} />
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/MoveLiquidTools/index.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/MoveLiquidTools/index.tsx
index f30e5338b60..551754dc75e 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/MoveLiquidTools/index.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/MoveLiquidTools/index.tsx
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ const makeAddFieldNamePrefix = (prefix: string) => (
 ): StepFieldName => `${prefix}_${fieldName}`
 
 export function MoveLiquidTools(props: StepFormProps): JSX.Element {
-  const { toolboxStep, propsForFields, formData } = props
+  const { toolboxStep, propsForFields, formData, visibleFormErrors } = props
   const { t, i18n } = useTranslation(['protocol_steps', 'form'])
   const { path } = formData
   const [tab, setTab] = useState<'aspirate' | 'dispense'>('aspirate')
@@ -126,6 +126,11 @@ export function MoveLiquidTools(props: StepFormProps): JSX.Element {
         labwareId={String(propsForFields.aspirate_labware.value)}
         pipetteId={formData.pipette}
         nozzles={String(propsForFields.nozzles.value) ?? null}
+        hasFormError={
+          visibleFormErrors?.some(error =>
+            error.dependentFields.includes('aspirate_labware')
+          ) ?? false
+        }
       />
       <Divider marginY="0" />
       <LabwareField {...propsForFields.dispense_labware} />
@@ -136,6 +141,11 @@ export function MoveLiquidTools(props: StepFormProps): JSX.Element {
           labwareId={String(propsForFields.dispense_labware.value)}
           pipetteId={formData.pipette}
           nozzles={String(propsForFields.nozzles.value) ?? null}
+          hasFormError={
+            visibleFormErrors?.some(error =>
+              error.dependentFields.includes('dispense_wells')
+            ) ?? false
+          }
         />
       )}
       <Divider marginY="0" />
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/__tests__/MagnetTools.test.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/__tests__/MagnetTools.test.tsx
index 5a901290c37..c6cb5f13383 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/__tests__/MagnetTools.test.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/__tests__/MagnetTools.test.tsx
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ describe('MagnetTools', () => {
         dirtyFields: [],
         focusedField: null,
       },
+      visibleFormErrors: [],
       toolboxStep: 1,
       propsForFields: {
         magnetAction: {
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/__tests__/TemperatureTools.test.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/__tests__/TemperatureTools.test.tsx
index 34b0b0bd501..8edd87af457 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/__tests__/TemperatureTools.test.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/StepTools/__tests__/TemperatureTools.test.tsx
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ describe('TemperatureTools', () => {
         dirtyFields: [],
         focusedField: null,
       },
+      visibleFormErrors: [],
       toolboxStep: 1,
       propsForFields: {
         moduleId: {
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/index.tsx b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/index.tsx
index 0b7049bd546..ad668a98852 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/index.tsx
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/index.tsx
@@ -79,9 +79,12 @@ function StepFormManager(props: StepFormManagerProps): JSX.Element | null {
     if (fieldName === focusedField) {
       setFocusedField(null)
     }
-    if (!dirtyFields.includes(fieldName)) {
-      setDirtyFields([...dirtyFields, fieldName])
-    }
+    setDirtyFields(prevDirtyFields => {
+      if (!prevDirtyFields.includes(fieldName)) {
+        return [...prevDirtyFields, fieldName]
+      }
+      return prevDirtyFields
+    })
   }
   const stepId = formData?.id
   const handleDelete = (): void => {
@@ -144,7 +147,6 @@ function StepFormManager(props: StepFormManagerProps): JSX.Element | null {
   ) {
     handleSave = confirmAddPauseUntilHeaterShakerTempStep
   }
-
   return (
     <>
       {/* TODO: update these modals to match new modal design */}
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/types.ts b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/types.ts
index 9d9762594af..c7b063c4731 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/types.ts
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/pages/Designer/ProtocolSteps/StepForm/types.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import type { FormData, StepFieldName } from '../../../../form-types'
+import type { StepFormErrors } from '../../../../steplist'
 export interface FocusHandlers {
   focusedField: StepFieldName | null
   dirtyFields: StepFieldName[]
@@ -24,4 +25,5 @@ export interface StepFormProps {
   focusHandlers: FocusHandlers
   propsForFields: FieldPropsByName
   toolboxStep: number
+  visibleFormErrors: StepFormErrors
 }
diff --git a/protocol-designer/src/steplist/formLevel/errors.ts b/protocol-designer/src/steplist/formLevel/errors.ts
index e5203cdc84e..9bf495b3134 100644
--- a/protocol-designer/src/steplist/formLevel/errors.ts
+++ b/protocol-designer/src/steplist/formLevel/errors.ts
@@ -50,15 +50,15 @@ export interface FormError {
   dependentFields: StepFieldName[]
 }
 const INCOMPATIBLE_ASPIRATE_LABWARE: FormError = {
-  title: 'Selected aspirate labware is incompatible with selected pipette',
+  title: 'Selected aspirate labware is incompatible with pipette',
   dependentFields: ['aspirate_labware', 'pipette'],
 }
 const INCOMPATIBLE_DISPENSE_LABWARE: FormError = {
-  title: 'Selected dispense labware is incompatible with selected pipette',
+  title: 'Selected dispense labware is incompatible with pipette',
   dependentFields: ['dispense_labware', 'pipette'],
 }
 const INCOMPATIBLE_LABWARE: FormError = {
-  title: 'Selected labware is incompatible with selected pipette',
+  title: 'Selected labware is incompatible with pipette',
   dependentFields: ['labware', 'pipette'],
 }
 const PAUSE_TYPE_REQUIRED: FormError = {