Figma is the essential tool for modern UI UX design in 2024 – whether it’s for simple banners, app design, or even fully responsive websites.
And it makes sense! Not only is it extremely easy to use, but it also offers powerful features and advanced functionality that allows us to create multiple product UI UX designs. So, what is Figma used for? Due to its intuitive design, Figma is the perfect design tool for both UI UX designers and professional designers at the beginning of their road, opening the door for many Figma careers in product design.
What makes Figma the perfect UI design software solution for most of us is that they created a platform where all UI UX designers can help each other grow through the Figma Community. Even more so, to help us with tips and tricks, Figma also provides multiple Figma tutorial files to help us understand how to use the platform better.
Figma has become the go-to design platform for all UI UX designers because it allows us to create and prototype all types of digital product interfaces and screens – mobile applications, websites, and dashboard platforms. Plus, Figma also helps us use our designs for demonstration, testing, and even development.
Compared to other design editing tools, Figma is a web-based application that can also be accessed through the Figma desktop app by completing the Figma download process. Even more so, because Figma is a cloud-based application, we can store our design files within the app, which can be accessed from anywhere in our account.
Figma is currently one of the most popular UI design software, mostly because of its advanced and flexible features. Figma Design is perfect for everyone – UI UX designers, developers, product managers, and so on – who is looking to design all types of digital designs. Using the Figma software, we can create mobile apps, fully responsive websites, our UI UX design portfolio, and even social media posts.
Here are the steps to create a Figma account to start your design journey:
- Access the Figma website or go through the Figma download process. It can be downloaded on laptops – Windows and macOS – and on mobile devices – Android and iOS.
- Click on the SignUp button in the top right corner.
- Enter your email address and password, or continue using your Google account.
- Verify your account using the email that Figma sent you.
- Go back to the app and start your Figma login process.
Once you have logged into your account, Figma will guide you through some onboarding questions to personalize your experience. P lus, it will also provide you with some examples of files and projects that you can create, along with their Figma tutorial to help you learn the basics.
How Long Will It Take to Learn Figma Design?
No matter if you’re a UI UX designer at the beginning of the road or an advanced designer who has previously worked with other UI design software tools, Figma is incredibly easy to learn. In fact, it might only take a couple of days to learn the basics of using the platform and weeks to start your Figma career.
Plus, the use of the Figma Community might increase your learning curve in ways you did not think possible.
What’s incredible about Figma (and it’s a lesson for all UI UX designers) is that although it has a LOT of powerful features, it still offers a minimalist look and feel. So, what is figma used for?
- Menu: Figma’s menu is represented by the Figma logo at the top-left of the screen page. One of the most useful Figma features is the “Quick Actions…” (Control/Command + /), where you can type what you want, and it will quickly navigate you to the desired tool or action.
- Toolbar: Move, Frames, Shapes, Pen/Pencil, Text Bar, Resources (where you can explore your UI components, Figma Plugins, and Widgets), and the Comment Tool.
- Action: When no element or frame is selected, Figma will show the name of your file. However, when it is selected, it will display additional options for design, such as Create Component, Use as Mask, and Mark as ready for dev.
- Collaboration and Share: On the right side of the screen, you will find the collaboration and sharing cuctions. Plus, you can also see who is looking at your file in real time. As a bonus, clicking on their avatar will take us exactly to what that person is looking at.
- Design and Prototype Panel: These are the property options that offer information regarding the selected element.
- Layers: The file is organized into pages, frames, groups, and individual objects.
- Design Canvas: The place where the magic happens – our design process!
One of the first lessons in a Figma tutorial and getting started with it is learning the keyboard shortcuts. Of course, this information will be remembered once we begin our Figma careers design process. But here are the main Figma shortcuts to help you speed up your workflow:
- Shortcuts Panel: Ctrl/Control + Shift + ?
- Auto-Layout selection: Shift + A
- Quick Actions: Ctrl/⌘ Command + /
- Move Tool: V
- Frame Tool: F
- Text Tool: T
- Add Comment: C
- Rulers: Shift + R
- Outlines: Shift + O
- Group Selection: Ctrl/⌘ Command + G
- Auto-Layout Selection: Shift + A
- Frame Selection: Ctrl + Alt + G / ⌥ Option + ⌘ Command + G /
Check out all the Figma Shortcuts here.
