The recent influx of designers to Figma’s platform is a real testament to its usability and collaborative focus. Designers have many options available that are becoming more cloud based but Figma’s approach is fundamentally different. Most cloud based services allow you to save in the cloud but Figma goes one step further allowing designers to edit in the cloud in real time using innovative web browser technology.
Collaboration that is Live
When multiple users edit a design project, they usually are modifying a temp file that creates issues. Not with Figma, as the revisions are interactive like in google docs, and there’s no need to have a bunch of temp files with different draft names. Also users can comment directly in each team member’s files instead of sending messages back n forth through email or wherever. The productivity is focused on the team efficiency, and not only the individual. This is what fundamentally makes Figma different.
Browser First
Figma engineers tout themselves as a browser first tool instead of a cloud first tool and it is a strategy that is taking off. They’ve used new browser technologies that allow users to edit in an app on their desktop and not just saving something in a cloud. This is a very big distinction as designers can work natively through the internet and not save things in a cloud. Even though Figma uses a cloud, it’s approach is web browser first and now we know why.
Not Just for Designers
The traction Figma is receiving in the design space is all about live collaboration but the enterprise space is realizing that getting non - designers in on the process is extremely valuable. With Figma - a web link can be sent to a non - design team member and they can also submit their comments and give feedback. This was previously unheard of and we are seeing, that again, the web browser approach is paying off big time.
The Figma Plugin Community
In a beta stage, Figma is allowing 3rd party plugins so designers can remain in their workflow and have total control over the process within one platform. An example is the new background removal tool that allows designers to remove the background instantly in their designs and change it up on the fly. The plugin community is expanding and we would bet that Figma explores this further in the near future.
Figma is a hot company with alot of momentum and it’s browser technology is lifting it away from its competitors such as Sketch. The future looks bright for Figma and the unified design process that is live, collaborative, and focused on the team first is creating waves in the design community.
