Key Points
- A major UI overhaul has been introduced by Figma.
- Quick project creation using new generative AI tools.
- Announced built-in slideshow functionality.
- New features released in limited beta-test.
During its Config conference, Figma announced a significant update that includes an extensive redesign and the addition of powerful AI tools to improve project creation and presentation capabilities.
A Fresh Look for a New Decade
Don’t name your layers. Let Figma AI do that AND
→ Make your first draft with Make Design
→ Find the exact visual you’re looking for (or something similar) with Visual/Asset Search
→ Turn your designs into a working prototype with Make Prototype#Config2024 pic.twitter.com/OyvXZcQbyr— Figma (@figma) June 26, 2024
In order to make it more user-friendly for beginners as well as experienced designers this is Figma’s third major UI revamp since its launch. The app’s user interface has been refreshed with a new toolbar, rounded corners, and 200 new icons among other changes so that they don’t distract from users’ projects themselves. While the new design is currently only available on a limited beta basis, there is a waitlist for those who would like to try it out.
Empowering Creativity with AI
One highlight of this update is the integration of generative AI tools which allow people to create designs quickly just by typing prompts. For example during one demonstration restaurant app could be created by Figma’s chief product officer Yuhki Yamashita in seconds where there were menu listings and delivery options too.
Prototypes can also be generated by these AI tools which connect design pages together or suggest contents thereby reducing the complexity involved in designing things while making them more accessible too said Yamashita who further added that these tools are helpful not only for less experienced but also advanced designers.
Enhanced Workflow & Presentations
Besides the redesigned UI and artificial intelligence features being implemented into their system figma will also introduce Figma slides which is similar to Google Slides where you can make presentations within Figma itself this means that you can share your work live while editing it or even adding interactive elements like polls or alignment scales.
With Figma slides, one can directly present app prototypes from the deck thus eliminating the need for complex screen recordings that can be cumbersome.
Beta and Future Plans
Figma new supafast AI Design tool ✨ pic.twitter.com/nyqWsgIeKs
— Zander Whitehurst (@zander_supafast) June 26, 2024
The new AI tools as well as Figma slides are now available in limited beta starting on Wednesday during this phase they will be free but there might be some usage limits imposed or future price guidance given by Figma. This beta is expected to run until the end of the year.
In addition to that they have outlined their approach towards training AI models saying that third-party models power these generative features and are not taught using private figma files or customer data.
However, users will get an option whether they want them trained on their content starting August 15th where Starter and Professional plans default opt-in settings can be used while Organization and Enterprise plans should have opt-out settings.
Moving Forward
Following regulatory scrutiny which led to a $20 billion acquisition attempt being dropped by Adobe who had paid a $1 billion breakup fee to Figma, this latest update demonstrates the continued commitment from Figma towards enhancing the user experience through innovation around design workflow-powered largely using artificial intelligence.
