What is Figma?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Figma is a user interface (UI) design<\/a> tool, primarily used for prototyping and collaboration. Figma is entirely web-based, which means that it works directly in your browser; you don\u2019t need to download or install any software to use it. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There are four main products under the Figma umbrella:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In this guide, we\u2019ll focus on Figma Design. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Figma is one of the most accessible, user-friendly design tools around\u2014making it highly popular among graphic designers<\/a>, marketers, UI designers, and UX designers of all experience levels. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Figma is commonly used to:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n That\u2019s Figma in a nutshell. Next, let\u2019s explore some of Figma\u2019s most interesting features and functions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Figma is not only incredibly user-friendly but also packed with an impressive array of handy functions and features. Here are some of the best Figma features that really set this tool apart. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When designing website and app prototypes, it\u2019s important to think about how your designs will look and perform across different devices and screen sizes. This requires responsive or adaptive design, and Figma\u2019s auto-layout feature simplifies the process of creating adaptive layouts. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Auto-layout is essentially a property you can add to frames and components within your designs, instructing them to automatically resize and reposition depending on the space available. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This feature was created to speed up some of the more repetitive design tasks\u2014say, adjusting the spacing around all the icons on a screen or increasing the height of a group of elements on the page. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n With Smart Selection, you don\u2019t need to tweak each element individually; you can select and manipulate multiple objects at the same time. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Smart Selection works automatically on any selection or group of three or more elements with uniform spacing. With your chosen items selected, you can adjust their spacing, position, and size all at once. This makes it much easier (and faster) to experiment with different possibilities within your designs. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The scale tool in Figma allows you to proportionally resize layers and objects. Once you\u2019ve activated the scale tool (by pressing the \u2018K\u2019 key on your keyboard or selecting the relevant icon in the toolbar), simply select the object(s) you want to resize and either click and drag to scale up or down or enter the exact dimensions you want to apply. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The scale tool preserves the aspect ratios of the selected elements, ensuring that the overall design remains consistent. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Throughout the design process<\/a>, you\u2019ll find that you need components that are largely similar to each other, with some slight differences or variations depending on the context or use case. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n With the variants feature in Figma, you can create different versions of a component (say, a button) within a single parent component. This is useful for managing different states, styles, or sizes of UI elements\u2014and helps you to organize and simplify your component library. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This is not a feature per se, but it is one of Figma\u2019s defining characteristics\u2014and one of the reasons it\u2019s so popular. Figma allows multiple users to work on the same design file simultaneously, facilitating seamless collaboration in real-time. For projects requiring additional security, accessing it through an enterprise browser<\/a> can provide features like identity management, session logging, and data protection. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Team members can see each other\u2019s cursors, make changes, and send messages via the cursor chat feature. This replicates the feeling of working together in the same room; ideal for remote and distributed teams. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A UI kit is a ready-made collection of components, styles, and layouts that you can use to quickly create mockups and prototypes. Figma comes with an extensive library of such UI kits<\/a> for different operating systems and use cases\u2014including kits for iOS and iPad, Android, and even Microsoft Teams and Instagram. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When using Figma, you\u2019re not limited to the tool\u2019s core features. It supports a wide range of plugins that enhance the functionality even further. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You\u2019ll find plugins for almost anything\u2014whether you want to speed up the process of creating wireframes, developing user flows, or adding placeholder content to your designs. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We can\u2019t talk about Figma\u2019s best features without mentioning the vast library of customizable templates. Whether you want support with a specific design task or want to facilitate team planning and collaboration, there\u2019s likely a Figma template for the job.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You\u2019ll find brainstorming templates, strategic planning templates, user interview and empathy map<\/a> templates, and many, many more\u2014all ready for you to customize and adapt to suit your needs. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It\u2019s no accident that Figma is one of the most popular design tools around. There are many benefits of using Figma\u2014from improved collaboration and a more efficient workflow to the abundance of features, templates, and community resources at your fingertips. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Here are just some of the many reasons designers love Figma: <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When Figma was first launched in 2016, it was often compared to Sketch. Sketch is a vector graphics editor that works on MacOS and, until Figma came along, it was considered by many as the go-to tool for designing and prototyping. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Now, both tools have been around for some time (Sketch was released in 2010), which begs the question: which is better?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As with most tool comparisons, it largely depends on your needs and preferences. If you work on a Mac and want a native Mac app, you might prefer Sketch over Figma. But, if you want to work collaboratively on any device, Figma would be your tool of choice. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In terms of design functionality, they\u2019re pretty much neck and neck\u2014although we\u2019d argue that Figma is more versatile. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Another key differentiator between Figma and Sketch is their pricing. Figma offers a free plan for individual users, and follows a subscription-based pricing model starting at $15 per editor per month. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sketch is available with a yearly license purchase costing $120, or via a monthly subscription costing $10 per editor per month. For solo users, Sketch may work out slightly cheaper than Figma. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n No\u2014you do not need coding skills to use Figma. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Figma was built first and foremost for designers, and it contains all the features and functions you need to create wireframes, prototypes, and scalable design assets. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In fact, one of the reasons Figma is so popular is due to its intuitive, user-friendly interface. Besides fundamental design knowledge, you don\u2019t need any specialist skills like coding to make the most of Figma. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Figma is available via a subscription-based model, with four different price tiers: <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There\u2019s no doubt about it: Figma is a robust and versatile design tool that\u2019s well worth learning. So where to begin? Here\u2019s a quick guide to start you off. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n First and foremost, you\u2019ll need to create a Figma account. You can do this via the Figma homepage\u2014just click \u201cGet started for free\u201d and then follow the steps to create your account. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Once you\u2019re logged in, spend some time exploring the Figma interface. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The main sections within the interface are the toolbar, your blank canvas, the layers panel, and the assets panel. Explore each of these sections in turn to familiarise yourself with where different features live and what\u2019s possible within the platform. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Once you\u2019re ready to start designing, we recommend heading over to Figma Learn<\/a>\u2014Figma\u2019s official collection of guides and resources. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You can take a virtual tour of the Figma interface, work your way through starter projects<\/a> for some hands-on practice (learn how to design a button, for example, or create an illustration), and explore Figma\u2019s core features. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n These resources give you great insight into how Figma works in practice, allowing you to learn the interface and build out your skills step by step. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you\u2019re learning Figma because you want to work in a specific design field, consider taking a professional course. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Perhaps you\u2019re looking at how to become a UX designer<\/a> or how to land your first job as a UI designer<\/a>, and Figma came up as one of the top skills you\u2019d need to learn. A dedicated UX or UI design course will teach you how to use Figma within the context of the end-to-end design process, ensuring you\u2019re ready to use Figma on the job. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Besides learning important tools like Figma, there are many additional reasons to pursue a UI\/UX design course<\/a>\u2014including instruction from industry experts, a structured, industry-relevant curriculum, opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, and a chance to develop your UI\/UX design portfolio. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Not sure which course to choose? We\u2019ve rounded up the best UI\/UX design courses in this guide<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We hope you\u2019ve enjoyed learning all about Figma and its top features and functions. Whether you\u2019re an aspiring UX\/UI professional or a design hobbyist, you\u2019ll find that Figma is a valuable addition to your toolkit\u2014especially if you\u2019re working collaboratively with others.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you\u2019d like to learn more about the most important design tools<\/a>, continue with these guides:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n We hope this guide to understanding Figma has been helpful. Figma\u2019s features, uses, and benefits are key to enhancing your design workflow. For inspiration, We highly recommend that you check out this UI UX project on the E-commerce website landing page<\/a> for a small-scale business by AND learner Veda Parapurath for inspiration. In case you need further assistance, here are some of our resources you can consider:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Note: All information and\/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.<\/em><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Launched in 2016, it\u2019s hard to believe that Figma has been around for less than a decade. With its user-friendly interface, powerful design and prototyping features, and collaborative capabilities, Figma has fast become a design industry staple. But how exactly does Figma work? And what are the tool\u2019s most exciting features and functions? Keep reading. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":13588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[31],"class_list":["post-13465","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-graphic-design","tag-emily-stevens"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\r\n
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<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat is Figma used for?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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<\/figure><\/a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe best Figma features and functions to know about<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Auto-layout feature<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Smart Selection<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nScale tool<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Variants\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Real-time collaboration<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
UI kits<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Plugins\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Templates\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Mobile](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/2-28.webp\" "\\"Mobile")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat are the benefits of using Figma?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFigma vs. Sketch\u2014which is better?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Does Figma require coding?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
How much does Figma cost?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHow to get started with Figma<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Create your Figma account<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Explore the Figma interface<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Follow Figma guides and tutorials\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Take a course\u00a0<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Figma](\"https:\/\/www.andacademy.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/5-9.webp\" "\\"Figma")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDiscover more design tools<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Next Steps<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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