Are you a designer who struggles with messy design software? A platform where it’s complicated to group your designs and collaborate with others. We’ve been there too. In the struggle to find the right tool, our creativity often slows down. However, this is where Figma comes in! Now, what is Figma? You’re probably wondering. Well, it’s a complete, creative solution to all your design problems!
It’s a game-changing tool that redefines the way user experience designers and developers work together. It has over 3 million monthly users. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a pro. Figma brings everyone together.
But what is Figma exactly? Let’s dive in and see why everyone is using it.
What is Figma?
Figma is a powerful cloud-based design tool. It runs on your web browser, eliminating the need to download software. Figma stands out because of its easy collaborative and drag-and-drop nature. Thanks to its cross-platform compatibility, Figma is accessible to almost everyone.
Figma simplifies the UI and UX designing process. User Experience designers can use Figma to quickly create prototypes, test them, and validate their ideas.
Why should you use Figma?
Figma provides a solution for several design-related problems. Especially when it comes to collaboration, Figma works great for remote teams. It’s a secure platform that ensures that your design’s data and info stay safe.
Companies like Netflix, Microsoft, and Spotify use Figma for designing and collaborating. In fact, the platform had an annual revenue of $600 in 2023. It even brings web design and web development teams together!
There must be a reason for all this, don’t you think? Use Figma yourself to find out!
What are the features of Figma?
Figma isn’t just ahead of its competitors for no reason. It stays ahead of tools like Adobe XD because of its unique features. From graphic designers to user experience designers, Figma proves to be very useful. What is Figma best feature? Let’s check out some of its features:
Wireframing
Figma allows you to create the initial design of apps and websites. They act as the blueprint for your prototype. Thanks to the software’s collaborative properties, you can create wireframes together. You can fully ideate and plan your project’s interface before prototyping. Whether it’s an app or web design, with Figma, everything’s possible.
Prototyping
One of Figma’s best features is rapid prototyping. Imagine being able to see a working design of your product without all the effort. Figma is a platform where you can create clickable, interactive, detailed prototypes without code. This can easily help you identify issues.
User Interface kits and templates
Figma delivers vast options for simple drag-and-drop UI elements. You can easily just choose from a readymade template and start editing. These elements are ready and free to use for everyone. These components include buttons, accordions, symbols, and more!
Collaboration
Ever wanted to work on a project with a partner, but you guys were too far? With Figma, this isn’t a problem anymore. Thanks to its cloud storage and accessibility, users can start prototyping on Figma right away! Collaborating for User Experience designers has never been easier!
User Testing
Figma lets you easily edit your prototype to a shareable one and share it in the form of a link. This allows you to upload your prototype on a user testing platform quickly. By doing so, you can validate your product’s idea.
Version control
Figma gives you complete control over your design’s versions. Sometimes, you just go too far. You need to come back to the versions before you made all those iterations. Figma lets you revert back to your previous versions.
For graphic designers, Figma is an amazing tool. It makes collaboration, planning, brainstorming, and iteration so much easier. It holds a 40% market share in the design industry. All because of the solutions it offers.
Using Figma: An Example
Now, let’s suppose you’re using Figma for a design project. By utilizing its features, you can achieve a lot. Figma opens the doorway to app and web development. This is so because Figma is the platform where you create the basic structure of your software. Let’s some examples:
For a music-listening app
Imagine you’re designing a music-listening app. You’d want it to be aesthetic and engaging. Now, let’s see how Figma can help you create the design:
- You can start by designing the login screen. The interface would include options for sign-up and login. Choose the button placements, colors, and sizing.
- Do the same while designing the main page. Here, you’ll visualize how the users will explore trending songs. They will search for music and play their favorite tracks on this page. Experiment and set your design for this page.
- You can do all this through drag-and-drop components. You can also make the elements clickable and interactive. This will involve the play/pause buttons and more.
You can work alone or with your team. What is Figma specialty? Designing on Figma is actually fun.
For an e-commerce website
Imagine you’re designing an e-commerce store in Figma. You’d want it to be easily navigable and diverse. Now let’s see how you’ll design it:
- Begin by creating the login screen. Here, you’ll include email/username and password options. You’ll also add a “Sign Up” option for new users.
- Now, you’ll design the homepage. Users will browse different categories with a search bar for easy navigation. Experiment and design the interface.
- You can design more page and enhance the user experience. Add a product listing page that features sorting and filtering options. Make individual product pages and a checkout page.
With Figma’s help, you can design an interactive checkout process. By prototyping your design, you can create the perfect design for your e-commerce store. What is Figma for web development? It can even be helpful to make web applications.
What are Figma’s benefits?
Figma has unique features. This also starts with the fact that Figma has a generous free plan. Additionally, it’s much cheaper than its competitors. Now, let’s learn about its benefits. This will help you see what makes Figma stand out other than its price.
Plugins and integrations
Figma delivers a whole ecosystem of useful plugins and tools. These platforms enhance the user experience even more. Additionally, you can integrate Figma with other design and testing platforms. This makes it so easy to create prototypes with the help of tools and test your idea all through one platform.
What is Figma most popular tool? Figma’s most popular tool is FigJam. It’s a tool that focuses more on wireframing. It doesn’t go into the details as much as Figma. This tool can help you brainstorm, ideate, and plan the structure easily.
Developer-friendly
Figma is a design platform. But what is Figma secret to uniqueness? The secret is in Figma’s friendliness towards developers. By using Figma, developers can see specs for dimensions, spacing, fonts, and more.
Additionally, it simplifies code generation and asset exports. When you’re designing for Android or iOS, you can copy code directly from Figma. Developers also don’t need to guess animations or interactions because Figma allows you to visualize this without code.
Excellent for collecting feedback
Using Figma, you can very easily gather feedback from stakeholders, developers, and others on your team. What is Figma best part? The collaboration! You don’t even need to export files or anything. Team members can leave live feedback.
You don’t have to create separate files or export things. Figma makes it possible to share designs and prototypes through a simple link. Just copy and paste the link and send it to clients or stakeholders for quick reviews.
Scalable for everyone
Figma keeps businesses in mind. What is Figma aim? It aims to see these businesses grow. This is why Figma offers scalable plans and designing options. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner designer or an enterprise-level team. Figma is for everyone.
Naturally, the scalability begins with being cloud-based. This is followed by Figma’s support for beginner and complex-level designs. Integrating Figma with other platforms and using tools further enhances Figma’s capabilities.
Libraries for UI components
Figma is beneficial for managing design systems. They’re a collection of design assets like components, elements, styles, icons, buttons, and more. These libraries have a rich ecosystem of assets to visualize and design your project.
These components resize themselves and adjust according to screen sizes. When these components get updates, designers have options to accept or reject them. Additionally, designers can create their own custom UI component libraries too.
Now you know what is Figma benefits. Who wouldn’t want to use a tool that delivers so many pros? Additionally, because of its cloud nature, Figma provides strong security, too.
How to get started with Figma?
You probably want to try Figma by now. We get it. Using Figma for design purposes has helped us a lot, too. Let us show you how to get started with this all-in-one design platform:
1. Understand the Pricing plans:
Figma offers four pricing plans. You can choose the one that suits you best. Each plan has its own benefits and limitations. Choose the best one for yourself:
- The Free plan: It’s entirely free and gives you access to start designing using the editor. You can create interactive prototypes and access a 30-day history.
- The Professional plan: Costs only $15 a month. It allows for better collaboration and advanced prototyping. Gives access to more UI components. Allows advanced inspection for Developers.
- The Organization plan: costs only $45 a month. Options for unlimited projects. Designers can create, manage, and keep designs consistent. You get better customer support and security, too. Plugins for developers.
- The Enterprise plan: Costs $75 a month. Best for large enterprises that need top-tier security. You get complete access to version control and automating workflows.
2. Set Up Your First Project in Figma
- Create an account: You can download the Figma mobile app or open it on a browser. Now, follow the steps to create your account.
- Explore the Interface: After you log in, try to understand Figma’s interface. You’ll know right away why it’s user-friendly. So, don’t worry about getting the hang of it as a beginner.
3. Start wireframing and designing
- Add shapes, text, and images: Now that you understand how the platform works, start working on your new project. Make a wireframe for your design by adding some components.
- Work with colors and typography: Explore the color themes and text placements. Experiment with what looks good and what doesn’t.
At this point, you can start exploring the tools that can enhance your workflow even more.
4. Prototyping and Interactivity
- Make clickable prototypes: Start working on prototyping once your wireframe is ready. Creating a prototype on Figma is easy and possible with a few clicks.
- Add transitions and animations: Check out the options you’ll have to visualize your project in action. Have fun!
5. Collaboration and Teamwork
- Collaboration with others: Collaborate with other designers on your team easily. Collect feedback, improve, and iterate!
- Sharing Files with team members: This is very simple. You just have to add the email addresses of the people you want to add to your project.
6. Exporting and Developer Handoff
- Exporting Designs: You can export the designs you create on Figma as PNG, SVG, and PDF.
- Figma’s code generation features: Easily hand your designs off to developers. Figma auto-generates code to translate designs into code.
Now you know what is Figma way of getting started. We hope you’ll enjoy working on this platform. No more messy designs or clutter. Just design and get innovative. Figma will let you focus on creativity and productivity more than anything.
Wrapping it up
Now, you know what is Figma. It’s a powerful tool that goes beyond design. It’s a platform that bridges the gap between developers and designers. In recent updates, Figma has also introduced AI in FigJam to facilitate designing. At Linkitsoft, we utilize tools like Figma and more to create the perfect designs for our clients.
Our UI and User Experience designers have all the skills you’d want in a team. They work together and get creative. We understand and represent a brand through our visuals. Get in touch with us and allow us to collaborate with you. With your ideas and our expertise, we can create great designs.
We’ll be there every step of the way. From designing to development and the final launch, we can help you release a great product.
Have fun designing with Figma!
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