Figma is an interesting and innovative vector graphics editor designed for web pages and whose use has been growing non-stop in recent years. Today, it is one of the most used platforms by UX/UI designers, communication agencies and companies around the world.
Today Figma is one of the most popular graphic design tools for web pages and application interfaces. Let’s analyze what Figma is and how it works, for all those who do not know the program or who have only heard about it.
What is Figma?
Figma is a graphic editing and interface design platform. In addition, it is an online and collaborative platform. With Figma you can do a little bit of everything at the graphic design level, from Design web pages and graphical interfaces of Applications, or create social media posts, to the possibility of being able to Create presentations. For this reason, it is one of the most valued tools by graphic design companies and studios.
One of the most innovative features of Figma is undoubtedly the fact that it is a Collaborative tool. All the different members of a team can work on the same file, and in real time. This means that graphic designers can start with the creation of a design, but that developers and copywriters are already involved in the project from the early stages of the project.
The result? Saves a lot of time: No more endless file exchanges. In addition Collaboration boosts creativity.
No installations or upgrades
The fact that Figma is online, is another feature that is very popular: No need to install or update programs or buy licenses. All team members can work from any operating system without worrying about, among other things, the fonts they have installed or changing computers.
All progress is saved in the cloud and in real time, avoiding various problems such as working on files that have become obsolete or wasting a lot of time exchanging very large files. Obviously, to use Figma You have to be practically always online and have a good and stable internet connection.
In Figma, multiple members of a team can collaborate on a project.
With this you should already have a more elaborate idea of what Figma is. Finally, we must say that Figma is a free program, at least in its basic version. The Free Package Starter It allows you to work with three files within a project and saves previous versions for 30 days. It should be stressed that Both students and teachers can request free access (at this link) also for the Professional version of Figma, which for all other users costs $12 per month.
In summary, Figma is:
- A graphic editing and prototyping program.
- A platform that is primarily used for the Digital Design, i.e. to design web pages and application interfaces.
- One platform online. You don’t have to download and install any software, but use it in your browser using an internet connection.
- A program collaborative. Different users with different roles can work on the same project at the same time.
- A platform in real time, as everything is automatically saved in the cloud.
- A program freein its basic version.
How does Figma work?
Do you already have a clearer idea of What is Figma and its possibilities? Before reviewing together How Figma Works , or, at least, its basic and most innovative elements, a clarification must be made about An important aspect: Figma is not only tremendously effective in the final design of a graphic product. Also, and above all, in all the previous phases.
Brainstorming, evaluating different graphic options, prototyping, and collecting and implementing feedback: Figma can be used very effectively in all these phases. For example, in Figma, a team of designers can collaboratively create the wireframe of a web page (i.e., the skeleton of a design without colors or styles), collect the first comments from the rest of the team members or vote on the best option. They can also prototype an application’s interface: that is, simulate navigation and interaction in a design in the early stages of the project.
Let’s explain now How Figma Basics Work. At the end of the article, we recommend some courses and resources to go a little deeper and become a Figma professional.
Create an account
To create an account, you just have to register for free at figma.com. Once you’ve signed up, you can create teams, projects, and files (files). You can also invite other team users to give them access to the projects you’re working on.
The workspace
The Figma workspace It’s huge (a square of up to 65,000 pixels) and inside you can add the different screens of the design you’re working on.
For Setting up the displays, use the Frames tool (Frames): you can choose from many preset sizes, such as the iPhone 14, the Apple Watch 41 mm, or a Facebook post. This way, for example, you can collect the different pages of a web page into a single file or show how the same page will be displayed on different devices.
Libraries and community
Another interesting tool of Figma are the Component Libraries. If you don’t want to spend time creating elements from scratch, you can speed up the creation of a design (or sketch) by using the most disparate graphic elements that are already available in libraries. In libraries you can find things like the most common icons or buttons.
Browse the Figma community (one of the most interesting and useful sections of the platform) to find these and other elements. In it you can find inspiration, brainstorming materials and so-called design systems, i.e. a set of rules, guidelines, and graphic elements that help give coherence to your graphic project.
Prototyping
In the Prototype by Figmayou can link different screens or graphic elements together by identifying nodes: for example, you can place a node in the “About” item of a menu and it will take the user to the corresponding page. Or you can also do it on the “Subscribe to the newsletter” button. If you launch the prototype, you can simulate the operation of a website or an application interface even in the early stages of the project. This way you can know what works and what needs to be improved.
Collecting feedback
Once you’ve shared the file with the rest of the team, you can receive and make comments through colored notes. These notes are used to vote, to report problems or to give advice through more structured comments. For example, you can present your team with three different design options and know, in real time, what your colleagues think.