Getting started with Figma

Want to try your hand at user interface design? You absolutely must get to know Figma, a new software that has become indispensable in many design teams. However, it is not just a prototyping software, but a tool that can help on many occasions.

Figma is a powerful digital design platform that simplifies the creation of interactive prototypes, high-quality vector illustrations and much more. Designed for team collaboration, it allows real-time work on projects of any size, from a simple logo to the most complex user interface. Its flexibility, and the ability to access it from any device, make it an indispensable tool for designers and developers.

If it is your first time opening Figma, this is what you will find in front of you.

• Menu bar: located at the bottom centre, it includes all the basic functions, such as shape and drawing tools;
• Layers: located on the left-hand side of the screen, they allow you to see all the elements in the work area listed. They can also be renamed and organised from here;
• Canvas: this is the central space in which projects are developed;
• Inspector: essential for changing the specifications of each selected element, e.g. size, colour or position.

Ready to bring your ideas to life? Start now by creating a new board and let your creativity guide you! Remember to assign a clear name to each element you add, so you can easily find it again at any time. And if you are a beginner, don’t worry, Figma offers a wide range of free wireframe kits to help you get familiar with the platform.

Here are some tips if you have just started using Figma.

# Practice makes perfect
Don’t be discouraged if the first few times you don’t get the results you expect. You will see that with time you will be able to master all the features this software has to offer. Practice every day and improve your skills!

# Share your work
Figma is built for collaboration: share your workspace with friends and colleagues and start working together. Its responsive feedback and collaboration features make it easy.

# Learn from the experts
Don’t get discouraged if you want to do something but don’t know how! Remember that YouTube is full of videos made by experts, often accompanied by preset templates. Explore the huge library the web has to offer and learn step by step.

# Be inspired
Do you ever find yourself not even knowing where to start a project because you lack inspiration? Don’t forget that there are plenty of sites to get inspiration from, such as Dribble, BeHance and Pinterest. There are also many preset templates within the community that can help you overcome your creative blocks.

# You are not alone
Figma provides users with a community, where you can ask and answer questions, share projects and discover new features. If you feel like a beginner, remember that you are not alone, there are many other people in the same situation as you.