What is Figma? A Complete Guide to UI/UX Design with Figma
If you’ve ever opened a design tool and felt like you needed a PhD just to move a square, Figma is the friend you didn’t know you needed.
But what is Figma? Figma is a web-based interface design tool used for creating everything from wireframes and mockups to fully interactive prototypes. But that’s just scratching the surface. Figma can be used by anyone in the creative process who needs to collaborate and turn ideas into polished, user-friendly designs.
This guide will cover everything you need to know: what is Figma, why it’s a go-to for UI/UX design, its coolest features, and how it stacks up against other tools like Adobe XD. Let’s get into it!
Table Of Content
Why is Figma So Popular?
Why Figma Matters for UI/UX Design
How to Use Figma?
Figma Features That Deserve a Standing Ovation
Figma vs Adobe XD: A Comparison
Which Tool is Better for You?
Real-World Use Cases of Figma
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Figma So Popular?
Well, for one, it’s Figma for UI/UX Design, through and through. Unlike many other design tools that make you juggle different versions of a file or feel like you’re working on an island by yourself, Figma brings everything together in real-time, right in your browser.
What makes Figma even more special is that it’s designed with both designers and developers in mind. With Figma, everyone involved in the product’s development process can understand, interact with, and iterate on the design. For example, project managers can view and comment on designs without needing specialized skills.
Why Figma Matters for UI/UX Design
Designing a website or app is not just about how it looks. It is about how it feels, how users interact with it, and whether they walk away frustrated or delighted.
UI stands for User Interface, and UX stands for User Experience. Together, they focus on making a product that is not only beautiful but also easy and pleasant to use.
If that is your goal, then Figma for UI/UX Design is exactly the tool you want by your side. Here are some Figma features that make it a game-changer:
1. Real-time Collaboration
One of the biggest challenges in any design project is working with other people. You send files back and forth, you lose track of who changed what, and suddenly your carefully organized design becomes a mess. Figma completely fixes this problem.
With Figma, your entire team can open the same file at the same time. Everyone can make updates and see changes as they happen. There is no need to ask, “Did you move this button?” or “Who deleted that text?” because it all happens in real time. This is one of the most powerful Figma features, especially for remote teams or fast-paced projects.
2. Cloud-Based Everything
If you have ever named a file something like “final_final_FINAL_v4,” then you know the struggle. Everything in Figma is cloud-based. This means your files live on the internet, not just on your computer. You can log in from any device, anywhere in the world, and pick up exactly where you left off.
This cloud system is one of the most helpful Figma features because it saves you from worrying about backups, USB drives, or email attachments. You never have to ask, “Did I save that file?” again.
3. Super Smooth Handoffs
Once your design is ready, you need developers to bring it to life. But this handoff is where things often go wrong. Designers create beautiful mockups, but developers are left guessing about sizes, fonts, colors, and interactions. That is a recipe for mistakes and delays.
Figma for UI/UX Design solves this by giving developers access to everything they need in one place. They can open your design, click on an element, and instantly see all the details—like spacing, color codes, and fonts. They can even download the exact images or icons you used. There is no need to send separate files or write long instructions. It is all there, ready to use.
4. Integrated Prototyping
Prototyping is essential in UI/UX design to visualize how a user will interact with a product. Figma makes it incredibly easy to turn static designs into clickable, interactive prototypes without the need for any additional tools.
You can create smooth transitions, animations, and links between different frames—all directly within Figma.
How to Use Figma?
If you’re asking, “How to use Figma?”, don’t worry. Whether you’re a beginner or just getting started with design tools, this guide will walk you through the basics of using Figma.
1. Create a Figma Account
Before you can start designing, you’ll need to create a Figma account. Since Figma is a web-based design tool, there’s no need for software installation or space-hogging downloads. All you need to do is:
- Visit the Figma website.
- Click on the Sign Up button to create a free account (you can also use your Google account to sign in).
- Once you’re logged in, you’ll be able to access Figma for UI/UX design right in your browser.
2. Start a New Project
Now that you’ve got your account set up, it’s time to begin your design journey. To start a new project:
- After logging into your account, look for the New File button on your dashboard and click it.
- This will open up a blank canvas where you can start sketching your wireframes, designing interfaces, or even building prototypes.
- A neat thing about Figma is that all your work is saved automatically as you go, so there’s no need to worry about losing progress.
3. Use the Design Tools
One of the reasons Figma for UI/UX design is so popular is because it’s incredibly user-friendly. It has a toolbar that gives you everything you need to create shapes, text, and vector elements. Here’s how to use it:
- On the left side of your screen, you’ll see the toolbar, which includes tools for selecting shapes, text, frames, and vector tools.
- To add shapes, just click on the shape tool (like Rectangle, Ellipse, etc.), then click and drag on the canvas.
- You can also use the Text tool to add any text to your design. Just click on the canvas and start typing.
Each element you create can be easily customized using the sidebar on the right. You can adjust things like color, stroke, and shadows, all within seconds.
4. Create Components and Styles
As you continue working, you’ll probably want to reuse elements like buttons, icons, or logos. Figma has a great feature called Components that allows you to do just that:
- Select the element (button, icon, etc.) you want to reuse.
- Right-click and choose Create Component. Now, this item is a reusable component that can be accessed from the Assets panel on the left side.
- You can use Variants within Components to make different states for buttons (like normal, hover, and active).
5. Collaborate with Team Members
One of the most powerful features of Figma is the ability to collaborate in real time with team members.
- To collaborate, click the Share button at the top-right corner of the screen.
- From here, you can invite others to your project by entering their email addresses or sending a link to your file.
- Team members can either edit, comment, or view your design in real time.
6. Create Prototypes
Once you’ve got your designs laid out, you’ll probably want to turn them into interactive prototypes. Figma makes this process incredibly easy:
- Click on the Prototype tab in the top right corner of your workspace.
- You can start linking different frames together by clicking and dragging from one frame to another.
- Add interactions by setting triggers, such as on click or on hover, and define the actions that follow, like transitions or animations.
Figma Features That Deserve a Standing Ovation
Figma is stacked with features that make other platforms feel clunky in comparison. If you haven’t already fallen in love with Figma, these features are bound to change your mind:
1. Components & Variants
Ever wish you could create a button once and update it everywhere in your design? Well, Figma makes that a reality with Components & Variants. Create your design elements, like buttons or icons, once and then reuse them throughout your project.
2. Auto Layout
If you’ve ever tried to manually adjust the layout of elements in a design tool, you know the pain of dealing with misaligned objects and endless tweaking. Figma’s Auto Layout keeps everything in line for you. Auto Layout lets you create responsive designs that automatically adjust as content changes.
3. Design Systems
With Design Systems, you can centralize all your design elements, including fonts, colors, and styles, into a single location. This makes it easy to maintain consistency across all your designs, and your OCD will thank you for it.
4. The Plugin Store: A Candy Shop for Designers
Designers love customization. And Figma’s Plugin Store is a candy shop for anyone who wants to enhance their workflow. From automation tools to asset libraries, there’s a plugin for just about anything you can think of.
5. Version History
Figma’s Version History feature lets you roll back to previous versions of your project, so you can undo mistakes like nothing ever happened.
Figma vs Adobe XD: A Comparison
Figma and Adobe XD are two of the most popular platforms used by designers around the world. But choosing between them can be confusing, especially if you are just starting. Let us walk through this together and figure out which one makes more sense for you.
At a glance, both tools help you do similar things. They allow you to design what a website or app should look like and even show how it will behave when someone clicks around. But when we dive deeper into Figma vs Adobe XD, we start to see how different their approaches are.
1. Collaboration
Figma:
- Real-time collaboration is Figma’s superpower. Multiple team members can work on the same project at the same time, similar to how Google Docs works. This makes it ideal for remote teams or when you need instant feedback and edits.
- Version control is automatic, meaning everyone’s changes are saved and tracked in real time.
Adobe XD:
- While Adobe XD supports collaboration, it isn’t quite as smooth as Figma’s real-time, simultaneous editing.
- Collaboration features are mainly centered around sharing links for feedback rather than editing live in the same file.
- Cloud documents make it easier for teams to share and collaborate, but it’s not as seamless as Figma’s approach.
When looking at Figma vs Adobe XD from the angle of convenience, Figma wins for being accessible anytime, anywhere, without setup or downloads.
2. Platform and Access
Figma:
- Figma is web-based, meaning all you need is a browser to access it. No software installation required, and you can work from any computer, even on different operating systems.
- Since it’s cloud-based, your work is automatically saved to the cloud, which is a huge plus for those on the go.
Adobe XD:
- Adobe XD is primarily desktop-based, which means you’ll need to download and install the software on your machine. It works on both Windows and Mac.
- You can save files to the cloud, but the main experience is tied to your computer, meaning offline work is also possible.
3. Pricing and Plans
Figma:
- Figma offers a free plan, which gives you access to most of the core features, making it a great choice if you’re just starting out or working solo. The paid plans unlock more advanced features like unlimited projects and team collaboration tools.
- There’s also a team plan if you need advanced project management and admin controls.
Adobe XD:
- Adobe XD has a free plan, but it’s limited to a single document and basic sharing options. You get access to essential features but with some restrictions.
- To unlock full features and collaboration tools, you’ll need to pay for an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription.
- If you’re already paying for Adobe apps, XD comes as part of your subscription, which is a bonus for users already in the Adobe ecosystem.
4. Design and Prototyping Features
Figma:
- Figma allows you to create interactive prototypes and link various screens, though its animation features are relatively simple.
- With features like Components and Variants, you can create reusable design elements like buttons and icons, and update them across all your screens simultaneously. It’s a great time-saver.
Adobe XD:
- Adobe XD is known for its advanced prototyping capabilities. You can create rich animations and complex transitions between artboards.
- It also supports voice interaction and auto-animate for more sophisticated prototypes, making it a better option for high-fidelity, interactive designs.
- Repeat Grid allows you to quickly replicate design elements like lists, grids, and tables, speeding up the design process.
5. Plugins and Integrations
Figma:
- Figma has a robust plugin ecosystem with a huge variety of third-party integrations. You can find plugins for everything from design systems and stock images to animations and accessibility tools.
- It’s also very open, meaning developers can create custom plugins to suit their specific needs.
Adobe XD:
- Adobe XD also has a decent selection of plugins, but its library isn’t as extensive as Figma’s.
- However, integration with other Adobe tools like Photoshop and Illustrator is a huge benefit for users who are already in the Adobe ecosystem. You can easily import assets from those programs directly into XD.
6. Ease of Use
Figma:
- Figma is known for its user-friendly interface. The learning curve is shallow, and the intuitive tools make it easy to start designing right away, especially for beginners or teams working on collaborative projects.
- Its interface is clean, and everything feels well-organized, so you don’t get overwhelmed by complex settings or options.
Adobe XD:
- Adobe XD offers a clean interface as well, and it’s a solid choice for those familiar with other Adobe products. If you’re already comfortable with Illustrator or Photoshop, you’ll likely pick up XD quickly.
- While not overly complicated, some users find it a bit more challenging for beginners due to its focus on high-end features like animations and transitions.
Which Tool is Better for You?
- Go with Figma if:
- You need real-time collaboration with your team, especially if you’re working remotely.
- You want a cloud-based solution that you can access from anywhere with just a browser.
- You’re on a tight budget—the free version offers more than enough for most solo designers and small teams.
- You’re looking for an easy-to-use interface that’s intuitive for beginners.
- Go with Adobe XD if:
- You are already invested in the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem and need seamless integration with Photoshop, Illustrator, and other Adobe tools.
- You want advanced animation and high-fidelity prototyping features for interactive designs.
- You don’t mind paying for a Creative Cloud subscription and need a more powerful design tool with professional-grade prototyping.
Real-World Use Cases of Figma
Let’s take a look at how different teams and industries are making the most out of Figma:
1. Web and App Design: Airbnb
Airbnb’s design team relies on Figma to create and update its web and mobile app designs. Since Figma is cloud-based and allows for real-time collaboration, the team can work together seamlessly, even if they are spread across different countries. This means designers can quickly update a button or change the layout of a screen, and everyone gets the updates immediately.
2. Prototyping: Uber
At Uber, the design team uses Figma to create interactive prototypes. These prototypes allow them to test how the app’s user experience will feel, without writing any code. By linking screens and adding transitions, Uber can simulate how the app will function in real life. This helps them spot any issues before developers start building the app. It’s a great way to save time and catch potential problems early on.
3. Design Systems: Spotify
Spotify’s design team uses Figma to manage and update their UI/UX design system. A design system includes all the elements like buttons, icons, fonts, and colors that need to stay consistent across the platform. By centralizing everything in Figma, Spotify ensures their app and website have the same look and feel across all devices. This system makes it easier to scale design work and maintain consistency.
4. Real-Time Collaboration: Google
Google’s Material Design team uses Figma for real-time collaboration on UI guidelines and assets. This is key when you have a large team working across different time zones. Figma’s real-time collaboration lets them update and refine designs simultaneously, making sure everyone’s on the same page.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to take your design skills to the next level, it’s time to dive deeper into advanced Figma techniques, workflows, and UI/UX design best practices.
Whether you want to enhance your prototyping skills or sharpen your ability to collaborate in teams, exploring hands-on courses can provide the practical knowledge that transforms your approach.
For a deeper dive into mastering what is Figma and more, check out some of the resources we offer that are designed to get you industry-ready with the skills that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
