Figma : Full Review, Testing, and Presentation (2024)

What is Figma?

Figma is a graphic creation tool and in particular user interface (UI) or user experience (UX) launched in 2013 by Dylan Field and Evan Wallace.

These web applications are changing the way to create and improve the interfaces of websites and mobile apps without code.

This all-in-one cloud-based tool allows teams to design, prototype, and collaborate on design projects in real time.

Figma is particularly appreciated for the way it facilitates collaboration between designers and developers, as well as for its interactive interface prototyping capabilities.

Figma features

Figma offers a lot of things.

Discover a detailed analysis of the functionalities offered by Figma, a fast-growing collaborative design tool.

We explore its capabilities in terms of creation, collaboration, web design, and much more.

1. Real-Time Collaboration

Figma stands out for its robust functions that promote real-time collaboration between UI designers, UX designers and developers.

The ease of sharing and distributing a system design within a team is a major asset.

• Instant sharing : Share your web design and website interfaces with the team in one click, making it easy to communication and feedback.
• Collaborative work : Several members can work simultaneously on the same project, thus optimizing the workflow.

Real-time collaboration is an undeniable advantage of Figma, making the entire design process more fluid and interactive.

2. Availability and Accessibility

Figma wants to be accessible, available in web version and desktop version for Windows and macOS, allowing users unparalleled flexibility.

• Easy access : Access your projects on any browser or via the desktop application.
• Offline work : Work on your projects without internet connection with the desktop version, and synchronize once online.

This multi-platform availability makes Figma a flexible tool, adapted to the varied needs of designers and developers.

3. Apprenticeship and Training

Despite its functional richness, Figma remains accessible to beginners thanks to abundant educational resources, like YouTube tutorials.

• Practical training : Usabilis offers a comprehensive training to master Figma, covering the interface, component creation, notes, and more.
• Online resources : Numerous tutorials and articles are available to make it easier to learn the tool.

With the right resources, even a novice can quickly become proficient at Figma, opening the door to creating impressive designs.

4. Prototyping and Presentation

Figma excels in interactive prototyping and the presentation of models, simplifying the visualization and sharing of design concepts.

• Dynamic prototyping : Create interactive prototypes with clickable buttons and animations.
• Sharing Mockups : Present your models online via a simple sharing link, facilitating customer feedback and presentations.

Figma's prototyping and presentation capabilities are critical for a realistic experience and effective collaboration.

5. Design and Customization of Components

Figma offers a intuitive design with flexible components, facilitating customization and the creation of a unique design.

• Dynamic components : Modify and customize each property of your components for a unique style.
• Component Libraries : Create and manage component libraries, optimizing the organization of your work.

The flexibility of the components in Figma allows for smooth design creation and deep customization, making each project distinctive.

6. Web Apps and Cloud Storage

The web aspect of Figma and the cloud storage offer instant accessibility and availability of your projects, wherever you are.

• Total accessibility : Access your projects anywhere, with or without internet, a major advantage over competitors.
• Secure storage : Your files are stored in Cloud, ensuring their safety and immediate availability.

Figma takes advantage of cloud technology to provide a worry-free user experience, making working on projects more efficient and enjoyable.

7. Design and Shared Libraries

The creation and sharing of Design Systems and bookstores are Figma's assets to ensure Consistency of web design and collaboration.

• Sharing Resources : Create and share Figma bookstores or notes to standardize certain graphic elements.
• Automatic Update : The updated items are automatically applied in the various files, maintaining consistency.

The functionalities around Design Systems and shared libraries reinforce the collaboration and uniformity of web design within teams.

8. Realistic Animations and Prototyping

Figma allows you to create captivating animations for more realistic prototypes, thus enriching the user experience.

• Fluid Animations : Add creation and animation data between different screens for a smoother use.
• Realistic prototypes : Get accurate customer feedback thanks to immersive interactive prototypes.

Animations and realistic prototyping on Figma make it easy to demonstrate concepts and capture users' attention, contributing to more accurate and rewarding feedback.

Figma prices

Figma has a diversified pricing structure adapted to different user profiles, from freelancers to large companies.

Basic package

• Gratuit
• 3 Figma and FigJam files, unlimited collaborators, plugins, templates, mobile application.

Figma Professional

• $12 or $15 USD/Publisher/month
• Unlimited files and version history, shared and private projects, team libraries, advanced prototyping.

Figma Organization

• $45/publisher/month (billed annually)
• Libraries accessible to the whole company, centralized management, private plugins, single authentication.

Business

• $75/publisher/month (billed annually)
• Dedicated workspaces, advanced design systems, guest access control, integration and account support.

Dev Mode

• Free until 2023, then $25 to $35/seat/month
• Easy transition from the design phase to the development phase, billed separately from 2024.

Figma offers a variety of pricing options, allowing easy entry for beginners and advanced features for professionals.

Alternatives to Figma

1. Axure RP: Proven Solution for Advanced Prototyping

Axure RP is recognized for its ability to facilitate the webdesign of rich Internet applications, by allowing a faithful simulation of user interface behaviors. It's a solid choice for professionals looking to map complex interactions prior to development.

Features

• Interactive prototyping with a range of events, actions, and data
• Predefined widget and template libraries.
• Automatic generation of functional specifications.
• Real-time collaboration with version control.
• Export to HTML files for live demonstrations.

Pricing

• Standard: $29 per user per month.
• Pro: $49 per user per month.

Axure RP stands out for its advanced prototyping capabilities. However, the learning curve can be steep for new users, and the cost can add up for larger teams.

2. Sketch: Preferred Option for Mac Users

Since its launch in 2010, Sketch has become a preferred interface design tool for macOS users. It offers a robust platform for creating stylish designs with an active community that shares useful resources.

Features

• Intuitive vector tools for creating designs quickly.
• Symbol libraries for the reuse of design elements.
• Plug-ins to extend the functionality of creative data
• Collaboration with tools like Zeplin and Avocode.

Pricing

• Personal license: $99 (one-time purchase)

Sketch is a robust solution with a large community, although limited to macOS users.

Plug-ins can extend functionality & creative data but real-time collaboration may require additional tools.

3. Adobe XD: Adobe Interface Design Experience

Adobe XD, part of the Adobe suite, offers an integrated experience for interface design and prototyping. Its cross-platform compatibility and integration with other Adobe tools make it appealing to designers already invested in the Adobe ecosystem.

Features

• Design and prototyping tools in a single application.
• Integrations with Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Voice prototyping and micro-interactions.
• Interactive prototype sharing and feedback in real time.

Pricing

• Individual: €9.99 per month.
• Team: €22.99 per user per month.

Adobe XD is a complete solution, especially for those who are already familiar with Adobe. However, features like voice prototyping may require additional learning.

The three tools have distinct advantages depending on the specific needs of designers. Axure stands out for advanced prototyping, Sketch for community and resources, and Adobe XD for integrating with other Adobe tools. The decision will depend on your work environment and personal preferences.

Our Take

To conclude, it is appropriate to take an objective look at Figma. This tool has carved a significant niche in the interface design ecosystem, thanks to its real-time collaborative functionality and robust prototyping capabilities.

However, like any tool, it has strengths and weaknesses. Figma stands out in environments where collaboration between designers and developers is crucial.

Its ease of access via a web browser is an undeniable plus. However, some designers may find limitations in specific features compared to other tools like Adobe XD or Sketch.

For those looking to dive deep into the world of UI Design, mastering Figma can indeed be a major asset. It is therefore wise to consider adequate training to fully exploit the potential of Figma.

Whether you are new to the field or a professional looking to broaden your horizons, structured training can help you navigate the intricacies of Figma, and apply it effectively in your interface design projects.

Thanks for reading this article.

Do not hesitate to try the Figma subsidiary called FigJam, a whiteboard application that complements its flagship website.