Collaboration
Simplifies the design process by allowing teams to collaborate even if they’re not in the same location - ideal for remote work
Figma Introduction
Introduction to Figma
Section titled “Introduction to Figma”Why Figma for UX Design?
Section titled “Why Figma for UX Design?”Figma is a cloud-based UI and UX design tool that has become widely adopted in the design community. While there are many applications and tools available for wireframing and design, Figma offers several key advantages for UX designers.
Key Advantages
Section titled “Key Advantages”Community
Widely used by the design community, so there are many plugins made available to help speed up the design process
All-in-One
Considered an all-in-one tool because designers can create wireframes, prototypes, and final designs in one place
Accessibility
Browser-based tool that doesn’t require expensive software installations or specific operating systems
Figma’s Collaborative Features
Section titled “Figma’s Collaborative Features”Figma’s collaborative capabilities make it particularly valuable for modern design teams:
Real-Time Collaboration
Section titled “Real-Time Collaboration”- Multiple team members can work in the same file simultaneously
- See other designers’ cursors and changes in real-time
- Leave comments and feedback directly on designs
- Version history tracks all changes and allows rollbacks
Remote Work Support
Section titled “Remote Work Support”- Teams across different time zones can collaborate effectively
- Workshop facilitation with distributed participants
- Easy sharing through web links rather than file attachments
- No need to email files back and forth
Understanding Figma’s New Interface
Section titled “Understanding Figma’s New Interface”Figma is currently rolling out UI3, their new user interface. Some users already have the new UI while others still use the previous version.
What to Expect
Section titled “What to Expect”- UI3 won’t change functionality - you’ll still be able to follow along with course activities
- Menus may look different from video demonstrations
- All features remain available - they may just be in different locations
- Transition is ongoing through the end of the year
Getting Help with UI Changes
Section titled “Getting Help with UI Changes”If you encounter interface differences, Figma provides a resource called “Navigating UI3: Figma’s New UI” that catalogs what changes have been made and where features have been moved.
Figma Account Setup
Section titled “Figma Account Setup”Getting Started
Section titled “Getting Started”- Visit Figma Signup page and create a free account
- Select “Design” when asked what kind of work you do
- Choose “For teaching or taking a class” for how you’ll use Figma
- Consider using Google account integration for easier access
Account Tiers
Section titled “Account Tiers”- Free Starter tier provides all tools needed for this certificate program
- Professional features available for students and educators
- Team collaboration features available at all levels
Transferable Skills
Section titled “Transferable Skills”While you’ll use Figma throughout this certificate program, the skills you learn are transferable to other UX design tools:
Core Skills That Transfer
Section titled “Core Skills That Transfer”- Design principles: Layout, hierarchy, user flow concepts
- Wireframing fundamentals: Structure, organization, information architecture
- Prototyping concepts: Interaction design, user testing, iteration
- Design process: Research to implementation workflow
Tool Flexibility
Section titled “Tool Flexibility”- UX design tools change frequently - new tools emerge regularly
- Core design skills remain constant across different software
- Once you know basics in one tool, learning new tools becomes much easier
- Figma skills apply to Sketch, Adobe XD, and other design software
What You’ll Learn
Section titled “What You’ll Learn”Throughout the upcoming lessons, you’ll learn how to:
Basic Figma Operations
Section titled “Basic Figma Operations”- Create and organize files and projects
- Use frames, shapes, and text tools
- Apply colors, layouts, and spacing
- Navigate the interface efficiently
Wireframing in Figma
Section titled “Wireframing in Figma”- Transition from paper to digital wireframes
- Use Figma’s shape and text tools for wireframing
- Organize and label wireframe screens
- Create clean, professional wireframes
Digital Prototyping
Section titled “Digital Prototyping”- Connect wireframes to create user flows
- Add interactions and transitions
- Test prototypes in presentation mode
- Share prototypes with stakeholders for feedback
Beyond This Course
Section titled “Beyond This Course”As you continue your UX design journey, Figma offers advanced features you can explore:
Advanced Features
Section titled “Advanced Features”- Components and design systems for consistent, scalable designs
- Advanced prototyping with complex interactions and animations
- Developer handoff tools for smoother design-to-code processes
- Plugin ecosystem for specialized design tasks
Continued Learning
Section titled “Continued Learning”- Figma provides extensive documentation and tutorials
- Design community creates educational content and resources
- Regular feature updates and improvements
- Integration with other design and development tools
The goal is to become proficient with fundamental design concepts and workflows that will serve you well regardless of which tools you use throughout your UX design career.