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What is Figma?

Figma is a powerful user interface and user experience design application that allows users to collaborate effortlessly to design interactive, working prototypes of webpages, digital applications, and mobile interfaces. Figma is a browser-based application, meaning users can access it from any device and effortlessly build a web layout in real time with others. The application is designed to give users the tools they need to work as a team to design user interfaces for various devices and applications. Figma provides the necessary tools to add interactive elements to designs, mimicking how they will function once they’re coded and launched. This gives Designers greater control over the kinds of designs they can produce since their layouts will have the interactive capabilities vital to user interfaces. Teams of designers using Figma can be attentive to how the webpage looks and feels at all stages of the design process.

User interface design refers to the visual appearance of a webpage or other digital application. Each element of a digital application, whether a button, a drop-down menu, a slideshow, or a series of links connected to images, will need to be designed by a UI Designer who produces a layout of how it will work and function. User Experience Designers are attentive to how the webpage feels, with UX Designers being tasked with testing and iterating on the webpage’s accessibility and navigation tools. Tools like Figma assist both design goals by allowing users to design webpage layouts and produce working models of those webpages that need to be tested. These sample designs can then be easily shared because of how accessible Figma’s browser-based application is. They can also be tested rigorously before the design file is handed off to Developers.

While somewhat limited in its functionalities, Figma has a robust free tier of use for students looking to learn the program and begin collaborating on design projects. Professional and Enterprise versions of the software are available to organizations looking to expand on their Figma usage. These subscriptions vary in cost depending on the size of the team.

Why Learn Figma?

Figma is one of the primary tools used for UI/UX design. Due to the application's acquisition in 2022 by Adobe, it stands to become the industry standard tool for building user interface layouts. Since it’s built with collaboration in mind, Figma is an excellent skill to learn for users who hope to work as part of a team of Designers building webpages and other digital applications. These collaboration features, which include the recently released FigJam system, are perfectly set up to give teams of creative individuals the resources they need to design visually appealing, accessible user interfaces and optimize their workflow as they are designing them. The ability to work more efficiently and effectively is an important reason to learn a skill like Figma. Employers care that a webpage is well designed and provides the level of quality they expect. However, if a team can’t deliver the product on time, it doesn’t matter how good their product is. This is why learning how to work with collaboration tools like Figma is so important for anyone with professional web design aspirations.

Industry-Standard Collaboration Tool

One of the major appeals of Figma as a design application is that between the new FigJam systems and its browser-based functionalities, the application is unparalleled in its ability to enhance and facilitate collaborative design processes. Learning to use Figma almost necessarily means working with other Designers and Developers on UX/UI projects. Multiple users can access the same design file and work on it from any device that can access the internet, so collaborators are freer to work on a design at their own pace. Designers can also collaborate on the same document in real-time, allowing them to make, view, and comment upon changes as they are being made. The interface also includes various team-focused tools meant to make organizing teams and delegating tasks more efficient.

Build More Accessible Webpages

One of the main reasons to work with a UX/UI design tool is to test the application design before the development phase. The user experience side of a web design project must be accounted for, and a key part of that process is testing the application in a real-world context. It is impossible to intuit how a user will use a web application, so Figma allows users to create functional prototypes of their web applications to allow for user testing. This will let teams of designers understand whether or not their applications are as accessible and easy to navigate as they can possibly be, and it will give them a better understanding of the changes that need to be made to ensure that users have an easy time using the product.

Designers are increasingly cognizant of how users directly interact with webpages, and they are working harder to make applications more accessible to more people. With tools like Figma, teams of designers can create webpages that are more responsive to user behavior and consider how different people will interact with an interface. Figma also has tools designed to help designers account for how an application will be accessed on different devices so teams can keep in mind the use of mobile devices and touchscreen devices when building their applications.

Figma Careers

Figma is a vital tool for anyone wanting to further their web design career. Learning to use UX/UI design tools will greatly improve the workflow and efficiency of individuals and teams, making them better equipped to build webpages for their clients. Given that having a memorable and effective web presence is essential in the modern marketplace, web design skills are in high demand. Across most industries, companies and institutions will be employing or contracting Designers to help ensure that their web presence is professionally designed and communicates the messages they want to send. Learning Figma alone won’t be enough to ensure you get a job. Still, it is an important part of the toolkit of anyone hoping to design user interfaces professionally.

Web Designers and User Interface Designers deal mostly with the creative elements of a web design project. They are responsible for the visual appearance of a web design. They are tasked with ensuring that the application looks like their client wants it to appear and effectively communicates the desired intent. These professionals use Figma to build either entire web layouts or individual webpage elements such as a specific set of buttons or menus. These design positions are responsible for working closely with clients, managers, and other Designers and Developers to build a web interface as part of a collaborative project. They need to be comfortable working with large groups. In the US, UI Designers make about $94,000 a year, while Web Designers make about $66,000 annually.

User Experience Designers and User Experience Researchers ensure a user interface design feels good to use. Rather than accounting for what the clients intend from web design projects, UX Designers focus on how users are most likely to interact with a product. UX Design is a much more research and data-driven field than UI Design, meaning that UX Designers will spend more time working with market research departments or working with test users of interface designs than on the creative side of the design process. They are assisted by User Experience Researchers, who are less concerned with individual designs than they are with broad consumer behaviors. This is a highly research-driven profession, as UX Researchers seek to understand and account for general trends in user behaviors so that UX Designers can more easily and effectively optimize specific projects. In the US, UX Designers earn an average salary of $108,000, while UX Researchers make approximately $116,000 a year.

Learning Figma

In-Person Figma Classes

Anyone looking to enter a career in web design will want to learn how to use Figma in a professional training service. Many students find that in-person classes are an ideal way to learn a new skill, particularly one like Figma, which strongly emphasizes collaborative features. In an in-person course, students have the opportunity to work directly with an experienced instructor and a cohort of like-minded students with whom they can collaborate on design projects. On top of all this, students can take advantage of the training center’s computer labs and software, which can be a boon for students who cannot license a full copy of Figma or FigJam. The drawback to these classes is that students can only enroll in the courses that are local to their area, which can be somewhat limiting for students who don’t live in or around major metropolitan areas or lack reliable transportation.

Students looking for in-person Figma classes in their area should consult Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to find and compare their options. Many training centers only operate out of a few major cities such as Noble Desktop’s Manhattan campus or Seattle’s School of Visual Concepts. These individual schools are ideal places for students with the means and time to visit these cities regularly to learn Figma. For example, LearningFuse’s UI/UX Design Bootcamp provides 12 weeks of intermediate-level Figma instruction to those who live in or near Los Angeles. Participants in this program can opt to take the UI and UX modules independently or together. This hands-on program covers skills like working with Invision, Figma, and Adobe XD. A few service providers such as General Assembly, offer Figma courses in a large number of different American cities.

Live Online Figma Classes

Since in-person classes tend to be located in major cities, some students may find attending one of these training seminars difficult. Others living near training centers may be unable to attend in-person coursework for other reasons such as work and family obligations. For these students, live online Figma training represents a way to learn Figma from home without sacrificing the quality of instruction that they expect from an in-person training course. These courses are taught in real-time by live instructors with whom students can interact directly. This means that they can ask questions and receive feedback right away. As an added benefit, because Figma is totally browser-based, collaboration with other students is still fairly easy in an online course. This is also good career training, as students are likely to collaborate with other Designers asynchronously or from a distance when they are working on designs.

Noble Desktop offers various courses for students looking for live online Figma classes. Whether you want to start a new career in the field of web design or just learn how to use a new design application, Noble offers a course to fit your needs. In general, students can enroll in focused skills bootcamps, which are classes that teach a specific skill over a short time, or longer career-focused certificate courses that teach students many different complementary design skills and offer them focused professionalization training.

Noble’s Figma Bootcamp provides students with detailed instruction and hands-on experience working with Figma. In this class, students learn the basics of designing web layouts and how to utilize the specific features of Figma that make it such a commonly used program in the web design industry. This course teaches students the basics of UI design and UX design using Figma, providing them with hands-on training in designing layouts and converting them into testable prototypes. Participants also explore integrating complicated interactive designs into their layouts such as animation, sideshows, or scrollable areas, to create more vibrant and memorable designs. In this course, those enrolled work on projects to mirror real-life design assignments, providing them with vital hands-on training in Figma.

Noble offers several certificate-granting programs for students who want to build a career using Figma. The most immersive option is the UX & UI Design Certificate program, which offers a comprehensive education in the tools and techniques associated with UX and UI design careers. Participants learn how to work with Figma to create layouts, build case studies for user behavior research, conduct interviews and focus groups as part of wide-scale testing, and implement their research findings. Beyond this, students receive professionalization training through one-on-one mentorship, resume development seminars, and assistance with constructing a portfolio to take with them onto the job market.

Noble also offers several other certificate programs that cover Figma. Noble's Digital Design Certificate and UI Design Certificate programs emphasize Figma’s creative elements. Rather than focusing on testing and iterating layouts with UX design training, these courses teach students how to use other creative tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator, to create more vibrant and complex digital assets for their web layouts. In the Web Design Certificate program, students explore the basics of using HTML and CSS and JavaScript to program the webpages they design using Figma. Normally, Designers need to hand their designs off to Developers to code and program, but with some programming training, students can learn to launch their own web designs.

Some educators offer accelerated Figma fundamentals courses for students looking to master the basics of the application. For example, The School of Visual Concepts offers a Figma Fundamentals Workshop that provides students with a day’s worth of Figma instruction to give them a basic understanding of navigating the interface and begin designing web interfaces with the application. Participants learn how to use auto-layouts, libraries and other work efficiency tools, and they study how to take advantage of Figma plug-ins. Finally, they receive training in preparing a Figma design for export to Developers who will program the Figma file into a working web interface.

To learn more about the options in your area for in-person and live online Figma training courses, consider visiting Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool.

In addition to these courses, students may also wish to consider the live online Figma courses offered by NYIM Training and the live online Figma courses offered by NYC Career Centers. These training options provide students with alternative options for virtual Figma instruction.

On-Demand Figma Classes

If you’re interested in studying Figma in the virtual setting but aren’t able to commit to coursework that meets regularly, you may wish to explore on-demand classes. Studying Figma through on-demand content is the most flexible way to acquire this skill. All content is recorded by an educational provider at an earlier time and placed online. Unlike live coursework that requires meeting on a regular day and time to learn Figma, on-demand classes can be accessed at any time from any location. They also allow students to complete their studies at their own pace. This may involve devoting several hours over several weekends to learning Figma or spending a half-hour each night after work acquiring web design skills. Another benefit of self-paced content is that you aren’t relying on an instructor to set your learning pace. Instead, you can pause, rewind, or rewatch entire videos or lessons as often as you wish to help retain content. A variety of asynchronous Figma content is available online, ranging from short YouTube clips on the Figma interface to more involved bootcamps that take ten or more hours to complete and cover Figma alongside other web design skills and tools. One important consideration when opting for self-paced material is that no instructor is available, which means you will have to find answers to questions on your own. This is why some learners begin learning Figma through on-demand content but switch to a more structured educational format like live bootcamp study to fully acquire Figma’s advanced capabilities.

If you want to find an on-demand Figma class, several top educators around the globe offer coursework that focuses exclusively on Figma, as well as content that covers Figma along with other web development tools. Udemy’s UX/UI Design with Figma teaches participants how to work with Figma and other popular design tools to create web and mobile design. All learners can access more than four hours of on-demand video content and several downloadable resources. Udemy also has introductory-level Figma instruction available in

Figma 2024: The Absolute Beginner to Pro Class in Under 2 Hours. Those enrolled in this course receive basic instruction on core Figma tasks such as setting up accounts, creating wireframes, and using this software for user interface design. Coursera’s Get Started with Figma provides 1.5 hours of beginner-level content for those who wish to explore the basics of this software such as how to create an account, work with Figma’s main features, add pages to the frame, or share designs.

How Hard is It to Learn Figma?

If you’re interested in learning to create websites using Figma, you may not be sure how difficult it is to acquire the necessary training. Like other skills, the difficulty involved with learning Figma is largely subjective and depends on various factors. Some learners consider studying Figma to be similar to acquiring training in other design-related tools such as InDesign. Figma is even thought to be more user-friendly than InDesign. However, it takes practice to fully master this program.

Learning any graphic design tool poses challenges. Those with no prior background working with user design interfaces may not be familiar with the best practices for creating layouts. In particular, if you don’t have prior knowledge of why interfaces are designed in specific ways, it may be challenging to make informed decisions about your own Figma designs. This is why learning best UX design practices through in-person or online coursework can help those who are new to layout creation learn this more quickly than they would be able to do independently. Another aspect of learning Figma that some find difficult is navigating the substantial amount of Figma-related material and information that’s currently available. Figma’s large online community contributes to this app’s add-ons and templates. This can be a great resource for some learners interested in using these templates, but it may also be intimidating to new users to sort through this wealth of material and community-generated design content.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Figma?

The amount of time it will take you to learn Figma is also relative to the learner. It will largely depend on your background in design in general and your experience applying these skills to web design. If you come from a graphic design background and already have experience with Adobe XD, Illustrator, or other vector graphic tools, the learning process may be much faster and easier than if you lack this background. Illustrator provides Designers with a foundation in vector graphic design software, and XD helps students learn how to work with user interface design software. Similarly, if you have worked with community design, you may find it easier to pick Figma up since this app relies on user-created widgets, templates, and plug-ins. Those who have previously used community forums like Figma’s, and done so to modify their device, will likely find it easier to get started with Figma.

On average, those interested in learning this app’s basics can do so with just a few days of intensive practice. Since this program has an accessible, user-friendly interface, you can experiment with Figma on your own to get a general feel of its features and functions. The robust online Figma community offers a range of free resources, posted by professional Developers and Designers, that can make the learning process even easier. However, acquiring more advanced Figma skills may take several weeks of focused study such as that provided in a certificate program.

What Skills Can You Learn Alongside Figma?

If you’re interested in exploring how Figma can be used for web design, you may also wish to study other skills and tools that can be used to create engaging websites. The following tools are just a few options you can study alongside Figma to make you a well-rounded Web Designer.

User Experience Design

Web Designers focus a lot on how a webpage will appear to users. However, they must also have the skills to ensure that various audiences can easily access and use the interactive elements they add to their webpage. This focus on user behavior when on a webpage is called user experience (UX) design. UX design is an essential skill set for Web Designers who want to make sure the webpages they’re designing are user-friendly and seamless to navigate. Studying UX design can give you the tools needed to focus on creating iterative webpage design. It often involves conducting behavioral research like user testing to see how webpage visitors engage with the user interface or web app and if there is any disconnect in the experience they are having versus the one Web Designers anticipate them having. Web Designers who strive to create webpages that are universally accessible and easy to use will benefit from acquiring UX design skills.

HTML and CSS and JavaScript

HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is a coding language that applies tags to a text block to communicate with your browser about how content should be displayed. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) lets the browser know the color, font, style, and size to apply to text. It also ensures the text will be uniformly displayed, regardless of the device or browser on which it appears. Knowledge of HTML and CSS provides a core set of skills for those who work with modern web design and is essential for those who create websites. However, HTML and CSS are limited in their applications for user interactivity, which is why Web Designers often also opt to study JavaScript. This language can provide additional functionality for webpages. It allows users to add interactive elements like buttons, images, menus, and other features to their webpages. Learning to code with one or all of these languages can help you be a more well-rounded Web Designer.

Illustrator & Photoshop

Web design often involves creating digital assets to populate the page. Although some CMS services offer templates to create interactive assets like menus and buttons, Web Designers sometimes are tasked with making these assets on their own to create more involved webpages. Knowledge of Adobe CC design tools like Illustrator and Photoshop are core tools that can assist with creating these assets. They help users make pixel and vector graphic images that can then be repurposed by Designers and used as interactive digital objects on their websites.

How Does Learning Figma Differ from Comparable Skills?

Those in the web design field rely on a range of programs and tools to create websites. This is why there isn’t currently one dominant program for web design. Instead, most Web Designers use a range of skills and tools such as Figma, Sketch, XD, and others. Those working with Figma may have several advantages over other web design platforms. Since this browser-based platform was created for collaborative projects, it provides a way for Designers to interact directly with one another and to do so with much less hassle than they could with Adobe CC programs such as XD. Figma’s trial version is also a good option for those who want to become accustomed to the program without committing to purchase since it is a more expansive trial than competitors offer. Another reason why Figma may be preferable to other similar web design programs is that it offers a robust online community who have created a substantial archive of materials that can assist with projects of all sizes and types.

Figma Vs. Adobe XD

Figma and Adobe XD are two of the most popular tools available for Web Designers and UX Designers. When deciding which is best for your design needs, it’s important to explore what each of these programs offers in terms of helping create responsive web design and how they differ.

Both Figma and XD can use these tools to collaborate with team members on a range of vector-based preview or design projects. When working with Figma, project owners are able to provide team members with varying permission levels of access when they invite them into a project. This feature provides a level of control so the project owner can determine which users can actively edit content and which can only view or share their opinions. XD’s Coediting feature performs a similar function; it provides a way for users to make project edits in real time.

Since both XD and Figma are vector-based, updating or scaling either program is relatively easy. Additionally, vector-based design enables UI Designers to execute changes from mobile devices and do so either using XD or Figma. Additionally, these programs are both compatible with Windows and Mac systems. Figma provides users with a plugin library that can be easily accessed. Similarly, XD’s Plugin Manager allows users to find and add plugins without opening a separate program. In terms of support, XD and Figma provide users with extensive operating system support for both Macs and Windows. Each of these tools also allows users to see previews on desktops and mobile browsers, which is useful for those who need to test user interfaces or share projects with external stakeholders like clients.

XD differs from Figma in some important ways. The primary difference is that Figma is a browser-based system, whereas XD is installed directly onto the user’s computing device. XD offers more options for file compatibility, whereas Figma relies on plugins for tasks like embedding video content. Adobe XD is not able to open Figma files unless they are converted using a third-party tool. Similarly, in order for Figma to open XD files, they must also be converted using a third-party tool or copied and pasted as an SVG file.

In terms of ease of use, those who are familiar with Adobe CC may find it easier to acquire XD skills. Additionally, XD’s user interface is often considered more intuitive than Figma’s for those who are new to the software. Figma has an open layout with its main tools and features displayed in the open, whereas XD groups many of its features and tools together. This is why some Designers find it easier to initially orient to using XD versus Figma.

Figma also provides users with significantly more native features and tools than are available on XD. However, this can make Figma’s interface feel a bit crowded to some users.

Both Figma and XD users have access to hundreds of free UI kits and templates. Figma offers more than 300 templates such as product development roadmaps and wireframe kids. Additionally, it also offers third-party templates. XD includes a range of templates from industry giants like Apple Design and Google Material Design. Those working with XD can also access third-party templates on the internet. Regarding speed, since Figma relies on internet connectivity to perform, those with slow wifi may have a slower design process. Even though XD functions partially offline, users must be connected to the internet to access this program’s full functionality. When working with XD, syncing projects to the cloud can be slow, and delays can occur with editing tasks. In terms of pricing, both Figma and XD offer both free and paid versions. However, XD’s free plan is more limited than that which is available from XD. Most Designers who work with either Figma or XD will eventually need to upgrade to a paid version to get the most out of these programs.

What to Study After Learning Figma

If you’ve already learned to work with Figma and want to take your professional web design skills even further, there are several related fields you can explore to make yourself a more well-rounded Designer and more competitive job candidate.

Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization, also known as SEO, is a widely used tool in copywriting and digital marketing to increase the visibility of websites for search engines like Google or Bing. Those who have a background working with SEO are able to improve website visibility, which makes them more likely for people to interact with them. SEO has applications for improving the sale of products and services, as well as ensuring specific audiences receive pointed information. There are two primary goals of SEO: to reach out to new website visitors so they may consider buying a product or providing information to the visitor about a specific topic so they will be more likely to come back to the site sometime in the future. To improve SEO, professionals like Content Writers, Web Developers, and Web Designers write content that can be searched on Google. This involves carefully constructing prose so that important words and phrases are woven in and that these words seamlessly flow as part of the text. Any SEO content that’s forced may be off-putting to a reader or take them out of the experience of reading the content.

Motion Graphics Design

If you are a creative individual who loves to design webpages, you may wish to explore ways to make them more elaborate. However, doing so may require skills beyond Figma training. This is where learning motion graphics can come in handy. The field of motion graphics combines textual elements with animation. It is a skill set that helps Designers create digitally animated designs with applications for all types of digital media. Some computer-generated animations are quite basic such as 2D animated title sequences that show up as digital art is loaded. Other animations are very complex and contain intricate 3D designs. Working with motion graphics design is a great way to take your web design skills to the next level and wow audiences with stunning webpages.

Advanced Programming

It’s common for Web Designers to have a background working with HTML and CSS to create webpages. However, learning additional coding languages can be extremely useful for those interested in expanding their skill set beyond web design into other related fields. Python, for example, is an in-demand language with a range of applications in data science and machine learning. Additionally, exploring structured query language (SQL) can train you to communicate directly with databases, which has applications for search engine efficiency and internet data storage. Because of how popular languages like SQL and Python are, the more knowledge you have of them, the more competitive you may be as a job applicant.

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Figma Masterclass Learn The Skills Guarantee™

Learn More About Figma Courses

What is Figma?

Why Learn Figma?

Industry-Standard Collaboration Tool

Build More Accessible Webpages

Figma Careers

Learning Figma

In-Person Figma Classes

Live Online Figma Classes

On-Demand Figma Classes

How Hard is It to Learn Figma?

How Long Does It Take to Learn Figma?

What Skills Can You Learn Alongside Figma?

User Experience Design

HTML and CSS and JavaScript

Illustrator & Photoshop

How Does Learning Figma Differ from Comparable Skills?

Figma Vs. Adobe XD

What to Study After Learning Figma

Search Engine Optimization

Motion Graphics Design

Advanced Programming

Top Bootcamp Programs That Include Figma

Figma Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Figma Training Map & Top Locations

5 Courses Available Live Online

3 Courses Available in NYC

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