At the recent Config 2024 conference, Figma, the popular design tool, unveiled a range of new features that are set to enhance the design workflows of its users.
The announcement included a major UI redesign, the introduction of new generative AI tools, and a new tool Figma Slides to improve generation functionality.
Figma's latest UI redesign aims to provide a fresh and modern look for its users. The redesign includes a new toolbar, rounded corners, and the addition of 200 new icons.
The objective of this redesign is to shift the focus from the UI itself to the users' work, making it more approachable for starters while remaining useful for experienced Figma users. This marks the company's third significant redesign since its closed beta launch, and it is currently being rolled out as part of a limited beta.
Introduction of New Generative AI Tools
One of the headline features announced by Figma is the introduction of new generative AI tools. These tools are designed to streamline the design process by quickly generating design drafts based on a single prompt.
Using a simple text prompt, designers can create UI mockups for mobile and web with different designs and arrangements. This AI-powered feature speeds up the initial design phase and allows designers to explore various design options quickly.
For example, Figma demonstrated how it could create an app design for a new restaurant in seconds. The AI-generated design included menu listings, a tab bar, and buttons for delivery partners like Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Visual Search Capabilities
Figma's AI features also include AI-enhanced asset search and auto-generated text capabilities. These enhancements aim to speed up small tasks and improve efficiency for users.
The visual search feature allows designers to quickly find the exact design they are looking for by using frames, images, or screenshots, which resembles popular visual recognition technologies, such as Google Lens or Pinterest Lens.
Additionally, instead of using generic placeholder text like Lorem ipsum, Figma now offers auto-generated text in designs. These features help save time and reduce manual effort for designers.
AI-Powered Prototyping and Automation Tasks
Figma's AI tools provide the ability to wire static mockups into working prototypes automatically. This feature eliminates the need for manual steps and enables designers to create interactive prototypes more efficiently.
Additionally, designers can automate tedious tasks using AI actions, such as adding realistic text, translating content, adjusting tone, creating images, and removing image backgrounds. These automation capabilities save time and increase productivity for designers.
Figma AI User Control and Data Usage
Figma places importance on user control and data privacy in its AI features. The company highlights that all generative AI functionalities rely on third-party, pre-built AI models and are not trained using private Figma files or customer data.
Administrators in Figma have the autonomy to control whether Figma can train its AI models on customer content. This includes file content created or uploaded by users, such as layer names and properties, text and images, comments, and annotations.
Figma allows administrators to customize these settings and ensures that customer content is not used for AI training without explicit permission. The company aims to provide transparency and control to its users regarding their data usage.
Figma Slides Launch
In addition to the AI-related announcements, Figma also introduced Figma Slides, a feature that enables designers to create and deliver interactive presentations.
Figma Slides aims to bridge the gap between design and presentation by allowing designers and their collaborators to craft engaging presentations. Users can leverage Figma designs and prototypes, customize templates, and use AI-assisted features to adjust writing tone, rewrite or shorten text, generate and edit images, and more. Figma Slides is now available in open beta.
Developer Mode Updates
Figma has also introduced updates to its developer mode. The "Ready for Dev" view offers improved design statuses and notifications, helping users stay informed about changes.
Code Connect, another feature in Figma's developer mode, allows developers to access component code from design systems or supported UI Kits.