Figma is a widely used interface design tool. Unlike some other design tools, Figma is browser-based, which means it can be used on both PC and Mac systems. With Figma, users can design and test a wide variety of different digital designs, including websites and apps, and they can collaborate on the same file in real-time. This tool has a large community of users, and there are many templates, plug-ins, and widgets available to users.
Figma was founded by Dylan Field and Evan Wallace in 2012. In 2015, they released a closed beta version, and then in 2016, Figma was released to the public. Field argues that Figma fundamentally changed the field of design because it made it so much easier for people to collaborate. He says, “Like physical spaces, digital spaces help us connect to one another. Unlike physical spaces, digital spaces have no walls: by default, they are non-hierarchical. Everyone is invited to brainstorm, build, and play together.”
Are There Prerequisites to Learning Figma?
Most beginner-level Figma classes don’t have prerequisites. However, depending on your goals, there are several other skills that may be beneficial. Figma is a design tool, so you’re likely to find the learning process easier if you have some understanding of basic design principles and user interface design. Figma is also a collaborative tool, and users often work with others, so you’re likely to benefit from teamwork and communication skills.
Is It Difficult to Learn Figma?
Figma has a relatively intuitive interface that most people find fairly easy to learn.
However, many users note that Figma is more difficult to learn if you don’t have a design background. In a recent LinkedIn article, the author explains, “Figma is primarily designed for designers, which means that non-designers may find the tool difficult to use. Non-designers may not have the same level of understanding of design principles or the terminology used by designers, which can create a barrier to collaboration and slow down the design process.” However, with time and practice, almost anyone can master Figma, whether they have a design background or not. One way to make the learning process easier is by enrolling in a paid Figma class. With a paid class, you’ll get guidance and feedback from an expert, which can speed up learning considerably.
What Will You Learn in a Figma Course?
What you’ll learn in a Figma course will vary depending on the course you pick. However, most classes focus on creating a variety of designs. You’ll learn to use Figma’s many tools to do so, including skills like working with vector graphics, colors, and text. Most classes also cover using Figma to create interactive prototypes of your designs. This allows you to test the designs and share them with other people. When you learn about Figma, you’re also likely to learn about usability and accessibility, which are important elements of interactive design. You’ll learn how to do things like optimize your design for different types of screen sizes.
Dallas Industries That Use Figma
The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area has a population of more than 8 million and is home to many different industries where Figma is used. The Dallas Chamber of Commerce explains that this area attracts a variety of businesses. It says, “The Dallas-Fort Worth region has been a magnet for corporate headquarters and major company operations, attracting 24 Fortune 500 company headquarters as of 2020 (CBRE and Charles Schwab will be added to the list for 2021) and 44 headquarters among the Fortune,000. A diverse group of household names such as ExxonMobil, Texas Instruments, AT&T, American Airlines, Kimberly-Clark, Toyota, and McKesson call the region home.”
Dallas's many industries include a significant tech presence. According to a recent report by CompTIA, Dallas is the third-best place for tech jobs in the United States. CompTIA says, “Opportunity is still the name of the game in Dallas. In 2021, the area advertised more than 156,000 IT jobs. That figure rivals larger metro areas like New York City and Washington, DC. But why Dallas? Lower operating costs and access to diverse talent–those factors add up to even more growth. The area is projected to grow by 10.5% over the next 5 years.”
Figma Jobs & Salaries in Dallas
Figma is utilized by people working in many different jobs related to interactive design. Many User Experience (UX) Designers use it. UX design is a job that involves creating tools to improve the user experience for websites, apps, and other digital products. The average salary for a Dallas UX Designer is $79,000 to $122,000, according to the Glassdoor website. Web Designers, who design and create websites, may also use Figma. They earn $64,000 to $104,000 on average in Dallas, according to Glassdoor. Digital Designers–who design a variety of different digital products, often utilize Figma, and so do Design Directors, who oversee a team of designers and need to facilitate collaboration within that team. According to Glassdoor, a Dallas Digital Designer earns about $68,000 to $104,000 yearly, and a Design Director earns $151,000 to $239,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS) is a federal agency that gathers labor market statistics and compiles several reports. It finds that over the next ten years, there is likely to be strong job growth in professions where Figma is used. According to statistics provided by the agency, while the average U.S. job growth rate is about 3 percent, between 2022 and 2032, the job growth rate for Web Developers and Digital Designers will be 16 percent. It finds that Web and Digital Interface Designers work in a variety of industries including computer systems design, retail trade, insurance, and finance, and advertising and public relations. In addition, it reports that 13 percent of them are self-employed. The BLS also provides a list of the metropolitan areas with the highest levels of employment for Web and Digital Interface Designers in the country, and Dallas is in seventh place on that list. The Dallas area employs about 2,200 people in this profession, with an annual median wage of almost $88,000. The national average for Web Developers and Digital Designers is about $80,000 per year.
Best Figma Classes & Schools in Dallas
If you’re looking to take a Figma class in the Dallas area, BrainStation runs a UI Design Course. This course has eight sessions and costs $3,250. It covers Figma and many other design tools. Students learn basic UI principles, including creating sketches and translating them into wireframes with Figma. They also learn about color palettes, accessibility, and other elements of visual design. In addition, instructors cover responsive design. They also teach students about team development and help them prepare designs for other teams. Finally, students learn about design portfolios.
Another Dallas option is the Animation and Design Training Figma Course, offered by the Knowledge Academy. This course is designed for beginners and covers a wide range of Figma skills, including color, layout, text, grids, components, styles, and variants. Students also learn to build prototypes in Figma and learn about development mode and preparing for handoff. In addition, instructors cover Figma for vs. Code, and inspecting designs. Tuition for this class is $1,595.
Dallas College offers a UX/UI Design Certificate. To earn the certificate, students complete 30 credit hours. The program is designed to be completed in two semesters. In the first semester, students take Basic Graphic Design or Design Communication, Digital Imaging, Principles of User Experience Design, User Interface Design, and Introduction to UX Tools. Second semester classes are Computer Illustration, Typographic Design, Responsive Design, Introduction to App Design, and Portfolio Design for UX/UI Design or Cooperative Education for UX/UI Design. The class is intended to prepare students to enter the design industry. Dallas College has numerous campuses in Dallas County and serves more than 100,000 students. Tuition is $79 per credit hour for Dallas County residents. Out-of-county residents pay $135 per credit hour.
Best Live Online Figma Classes & Schools
You can also learn Figma by enrolling in a live online class. For instance, Noble Desktop–a New York City-based school–runs several different Figma classes in a live online format. The Figma Bootcamp is a popular one, and includes 12 hours of instruction. Tuition for this class is $695. Students learn to create designs and turn them into interactive prototypes. They also learn to optimize their designs for a variety of screen sizes, open navigation overlays, make specific areas scrollable, and add animations to their designs. This class also covers sharing designs with clients.
Another option is Noble Desktop’s Figma Masterclass, a combination of bootcamp and advanced class, which takes 81 hours to complete. Tuition for this course is $995. It covers responsive design and turning designs into clickable prototypes. Students also learn advanced features like using variable modules and conditionals, and creating design systems. This course includes a detailed workbook and a certificate of completion. Students can also do a free retake within one year if they want to brush up on their Figma skills.
Digital design school, Lumenbrite, also runs live online classes, including the Figma Training: Bootcamp. This bootcamp meets three times and costs $1,295. It covers prototyping mockups for apps and websites using Figma. Students learn design, wireframing, and interaction creation. The goal of the class is to help students create a user experience that is engaging and easily understood by stakeholders and developers.
Established in 2006, the Digital Workshop Center runs a variety of tech classes, including Introduction to UX Design. Tuition for this course is $5,499, and there are 16 sessions. Instruction is hands-on and project-based. Upon completion of the class, students will have an understanding of both UI and UX design, and will be able to create designs and prototypes, and test them. They will learn to use several design tools, including Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch. Basic design knowledge is helpful. Before taking the class, students will need to install Adobe Photoshop, Adobe XD, and Adobe Bridge.
Thinkful is an online educational platform that was founded in 2021. It runs a UX/UI Design Bootcamp that takes six months to complete. Tuition is $12,350, or students may also choose to make monthly payments of $2,600. This course covers many UX and UI design skills such as wireframe prototyping, information architecture, user research, interactive design, and user empathy. Students also receive career support, including resume writing support and unlimited interview practice. In addition, they are matched with a personal mentor who has real-world industry experience.
General Assembly is a tech, data, design, and business school that was founded in 2011. It runs a UX Design Bootcamp, which has been created for students who want to work in UX design. Tuition is $16,450, and the course takes 12 weeks to finish. Students learn many different UX design skills, including wireframing, prototyping, user research, usability testing, visual design, and user interface design. Students also complete a capstone project, where they team up with classmates on UX research and design for a product, app, or website. In addition, they get career support services like resume review.
Corporate and On-site Figma Training
Corporate and on-site Figma training is offered by Noble Desktop, allowing companies to easily train their employees in Figma. Instructors can come to your offices, or they can train employees live online via Zoom or another teleconferencing platform. Scheduling options are flexible, and course content can be customized to meet your unique needs. Alternatively, you can train your employees by purchasing vouchers for Noble’s regular group classes. With this option, employees can choose their own schedule. There is a discount with the purchase of multiple vouchers. All classes come with comprehensive support materials, including handouts and access to training videos. You can find out more about corporate training programs, or schedule a complimentary consultation, by emailing Noble Desktop.