Learn More About Figma Classes in Baltimore
Figma is one of today’s most popular collaborative design and prototyping tools. A competitor with Adobe XD, Figma built its cloud-based service for collaboration. This means that UX Designers, UI Designers, Developers, and other key stakeholders can share everything from image assets to full-scale designs with each other.
Figma has a fascinating history. The company and software were originally launched in 2016, but Adobe nearly acquired it in 2022. The merger deal fell through due to antitrust concerns. While numerous organizations use Adobe Creative Cloud tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, many add Figma to that toolbox, and others use Adobe XD and Figma. Read on to learn more about this essential design and development app.
Figma Classes Near Me
Noble Desktop hosts multiple Figma courses live online via teleconferencing, including bootcamps and certificate programs. The 12-hour Figma Bootcamp gives beginners intensive project-based training from expert instructors. You’ll create designs, turn them into prototypes, and add animations to them in this engaging two-day seminar.
The Figma Masterclass adds six hours of advanced training to the Figma Bootcamp schedule. You'll learn to explore prototyping features, use conditionals or variable modes, and create design systems. The Figma Masterclass includes an additional hour of 1-on-1 bonus training.
Students can save by taking the Figma Bootcamp as part of Noble Desktop’s UI Design Certificate program. This immersive certificate comprises 120 hours of instructor-led training. The project-based curriculum covers essential user interface (UI) design concepts, tools, and techniques. Topics include Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Figma. Attendees also receive eight 1-on-1 mentoring sessions including portfolio reviews, career advice, or even polishing resumes or LinkedIn profiles.
Another respected course provider, General Assembly, offers Figma training for Baltimore-area residents. Their UX & UI Design Fundamentals in Figma course is a two-evening workshop that introduces students to the Figma interface and UX/UI design process (user experience, user interface). Applicants should have free Google, Zoom, and Figma accounts before attending the first class.
Lumenbrite hosts a three-day Figma Training Bootcamp for beginners. The instructor-led program is available online via Zoom and covers everything from the Figma workspace to wireframing, prototypes, and component variants. Check course listings for more details, including any prerequisite information.
American Graphics Institute offers Baltimore residents multiple options for design training. Their Figma Design System Course with Certificate covers design system concepts, variables, components, and other essentials. The class features hands-on training from experienced instructors and graduates receive a certificate of completion.
What Can You Do with Figma Training?
What you do with Figma depends on factors like your industry or sector, your current skill set, and whether you need to use the software for design, development, or some other task. Consider the following projects you can do with Figma training.
Design Websites or Applications
With Figma Design, users can collaborate, create prototypes, and streamline product development. When people mention Figma, they typically mean the Figma Design tool, not the entire Figma proprietary software package.
Development
The Dev Mode suite in Figma allows users to add structure to Figma tools. Dev Mode streamlines development pros' access to Figma design specifications. The Dev Mode integration helps design teams collaborate with product and development teams.
Figma AI
The newest version of Figma leverages AI to make a great platform even better. AI features give users multiple options, like searching with visuals, instantly removing backgrounds, and adding relevant components.
What Will I Learn in a Figma Class?
What you learn in a Figma class depends on your career goals and the program's focus. For example, some Figma courses emphasize UI/UX design, others development, and others both. If you plan to work in one of these fields, consider the following related tools and skills in each subject area.
Create Designs
Design creation is a top use for Figma pros. User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design for applications, websites, or even animations are all possible with Figma.
Make Prototypes
Creating working prototypes to show clients or developers is another essential feature of the Figma platform. Consider making high-fidelity interactive prototypes a typical subject for a Figma course.
Build Components
Design systems include multiple components, guidelines, and assets. A Figma class is a great training ground for building components to maintain consistency and efficiency in the design process.
Collaboration
Although you might not learn collaboration in a course, it is one of the most crucial design and development soft skills—especially for those using a collaborative platform like Figma. Additional soft skills applicable to these pros include critical thinking, communication, and time management.
What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Figma?
Gaining Figma proficiency requires a combination of comfort with using a computer and the creative skill set associated with building designs. Therefore, the most challenging parts of learning the platform vary from one individual to another. While many beginners have experience with tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, they may not feel it benefits them when learning Figma. Figma beginners with no design or development experience may find virtually any aspect of learning Figma challenging. Thankfully, most experienced Figma users report a relatively easy learning curve.
Can I Learn Figma in 3 Months?
As in other software platforms, the time it takes to become comfortable experimenting with Figma is much less than it takes to learn Figma at a professional level. New Figma users typically take a few hours to experiment with the software and watch YouTube videos before they begin formal training. Getting comfortable with Figma can take as little as 18 hours of class time, and many courses, like the Figma Masterclass from Noble Desktop, allow free retakes for up to one year at no extra charge. With this in mind, one can master Figma fundamentals in under 90 days.
How Much Does It Cost to Learn Figma?
Tuition for Figma training varies. Before choosing a class or program, consider current and future training needs. For example, a single Figma Bootcamp can run as low as $695. However, beginners can save by getting their Figma training within a broader curriculum like the following Noble Desktop programs:
Can I Learn Figma for Free Online?
It never hurts to look for free online resources like the Noble Desktop YouTube channel to learn about cloud-based platforms like Figma. However, Figma has many design, development, and AI features. Furthermore, gaining proficiency through self-teaching is quite challenging with collaborative programs like Figma. Consider a bootcamp or certificate program to get the best results in a reasonable timeframe.
Industries That Use Figma
According to the Baltimore County Government website, the top growing industries in the area include:
- Trade, Transportation & Utilities
- Professional & Business Services
- Government (Federal, State & Local)
- Healthcare Services
- Leisure & Hospitality
Construction, manufacturing, IT, education, and financial services are also vital Baltimore industries.
All these sectors need user-friendly websites. Many desire apps for their clients and customers. While other industries require Figma expertise, consider these among the most desirable in Baltimore for Figma pros.
Figma Job Titles and Salaries
Careers in Baltimore commonly associated with Figma include design, development, and research roles, including UX, UI, and product development. Salaries for positions requiring Figma proficiency vary by industry, seniority, education, and other relevant factors. Consider the following roles in Baltimore that demand intermediate to advanced Figma expertise.
Web Developer
Web Developers in Baltimore usually earn about $73,000 in annual base pay, a figure that does not factor in (401)k matches or other compensation. Some industries pay more than others on average, and job postings for Web Developers may show ranges as high as $102,000 to $119,000 in Baltimore.
Software Engineer
Baltimore Software Engineers can expect an average annual salary of around $95,000, not including additional compensation like bonuses or profit sharing. Although other titles can earn a higher average income, some of the highest-paying roles are senior software engineering positions.
UX Designer
UX Designers are among the highest-paid Figma pros in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson MSA, with an average annual salary of around $104,000. Nearby locations like Annapolis, Rockville, and Woodlawn may pay considerably more, with some averaging over $150,000 annually.
Figma Corporate Training
Would your team benefit from corporate and onsite Figma training? Noble Desktop hosts in-person and online training and can customize a program to meet your needs and preferences. Corporate and onsite Figma training is available live online by teleconferencing, or expert Noble Desktop instructors can conduct classes at your organization’s location.
If you want your employees to have more flexibility with how and when they get their Figma instruction, Noble Desktop also offers discounted vouchers for its open-enrollment group classes. Employers get a discount when purchasing vouchers in bulk. For more information about the different Figma training options Noble Desktop can provide for your team, contact them today at corporate@nobledesktop.com for a free consultation.