Figma Classes & Bootcamps Canada

Figma is a cloud-based design tool that launched in 2016 and has since become a standard tool among professional designers and others who are part of the design process. Figma allows multiple users to work in the same document simultaneously, allowing for real-time collaboration. This also ensures that everyone involved in the design is viewing the latest version of the document at all times. Figma’s integrations with tools like Slack and Asana further its collaboration capabilities, helping teams work more effectively and efficiently. It also helps teams to maintain a consistent style across various assets.

What Can You Do with Figma?

Figma is used for a variety of projects, most of which center on design. User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Designers use Figma to create wireframes and interactive prototypes, as well as to mock up websites and mobile apps. Figma’s auto-layout tools help to ensure quality design across various devices and screen sizes. Its collaboration capabilities are among Figma’s most popular features and are especially useful to teams working remotely.

Figma is primarily used for digital designs; however, it can also be used for print products such as business cards and mailers. Marketers also use Figma to create social media templates, logos, and other branding assets. Because Figma allows for real-time collaboration, marketers and designers can work together to achieve the results they desire.

Educators and hobbyists also use Figma for personal and educational projects, as Figma allows for interactive elements.

Why Learn Figma?

Those who are seeking a career as a professional Designer or even a profession that involves design such as a marketing role, can benefit from learning Figma. Figma’s collaboration features have made it a standard tool among design teams. Learning Figma allows individuals and teams to work more efficiently throughout the design process. Employers value applicants who know how to use Figma from day one, so mastering this popular design tool can bolster your resume as well. Beyond professional uses, learning Figma empowers you to bring personal design projects to life.

What Will You Learn in a Figma Class?

A Figma class typically covers the basics of Figma use and may extend to teaching advanced techniques depending on the difficulty and duration of the course. If you enroll directly in an intermediate or advanced Figma course, you can expect to build upon your foundational knowledge. Most Figma classes cater to a broad audience of professionals; however, some classes, especially those working with a specific team or company, may tailor the curriculum to demonstrate how you and your team might best use Figma.

Foundational Figma courses cover essential skills such as navigating the Figma interface, creating text and shapes, using the layer and frame systems, and how to use pen tools and vector networks to create detailed designs. You may also learn how to manage and apply gradients, colors, and effects.

Advanced Figma classes may show you how to use auto-layout and constraints, make use of reusable design elements, create interactive prototypes, and more. Figma classes also teach you how to collaborate with others throughout the design process. Figma enables real-time collaboration through its co-editing tools, version history, and commenting features, as well as its integration with apps like Asana and Slack. Many Figma classes also cover design principles used by Graphic, UX, and Web Designers.

Industries

Technology

The technology sector accounts for a large percentage of Canadian workers and has a major impact on the country’s economy. According to a recent report from CompTIA, Canada’s tech industry includes nearly 55,000 businesses and accounts for more than 5% of Canada’s overall economy. Additionally, the median annual wage for technology workers is nearly 48% higher than that of all other occupations. These statistics illustrate the potential the technology sector holds for professionals seeking to apply their design skills to a thriving industry.

Toronto serves as Canada’s leading tech hub, but due to advancements in remote work as well as the presence of technology companies in other metropolitan areas, professionals across Canada can benefit from learning important professional skills, including the use of Figma. Professionals in Canada use Figma for UX and UI design needs. Technology companies in particular emphasize efficiency and improved team workflows, which Figma helps to facilitate with its collaboration tools. Figma is also used for creating interactive prototypes, issuing feedback, and testing ideas without the need to code.

Finance

In Canada’s finance industry, Figma is increasingly becoming an essential tool for collaboration and interface design. It's commonly used for designing and prototyping user interfaces for various digital products such as mobile banking apps, financial management tools, and online trading platforms. The real-time collaboration feature of Figma allows teams, including designers, product managers, and developers, to work together seamlessly, regardless of their location. This is particularly useful for the finance sector, where the accuracy and usability of digital interfaces are crucial for customer trust and satisfaction.

Figma is most frequently used in projects that involve the redesign of customer-facing applications, development of new financial products, and creation of dashboards for data visualization. These projects often require strict adherence to security and regulatory standards, which makes the collaborative nature of Figma beneficial as it ensures that all stakeholders can provide input and feedback throughout the design process. Additionally, Figma's extensive library of templates and components can be tailored to meet the specific needs of financial applications, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of projects in the finance industry in Canada.

While there are financial sector jobs available throughout the country, Toronto serves as the financial hub of Canada and in the last decade experienced the fifth-highest rate of financial sector employment growth globally. The city is home to offices for Canada’s “Big Five Banks, ” which are the Toronto-Dominion Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, and Royal Bank.

Marketing and Advertising

In Canada, Figma has become an essential tool in the marketing and advertising industry due to its collaborative and versatile design capabilities. Figma is widely used for creating and prototyping digital advertising campaigns, designing websites and mobile app interfaces, and developing branding materials such as logos and brand guidelines. Its real-time collaboration feature fosters a more integrated approach to project development, allowing teams flexibility and quick response.

Figma's most frequent applications in marketing and advertising include the creation of interactive prototypes to test ad concepts or webpage layouts, the creation of branding assets like logos, business cards, and mailers, and the creation of digital templates for social media and more. Additionally, it's used for crafting high-fidelity mockups for presentations and pitches to clients, as well as for developing comprehensive design systems that ensure brand consistency across various digital platforms. The tool's cloud-based nature allows for easy sharing and access to designs, making it an ideal choice for agencies and marketing departments aiming to maintain agility and cohesiveness in their creative work.

Education

Education professionals in Canada are increasingly using Figma as a collaborative tool that enhances both learning and teaching experiences in design, technology, and related fields. Its user-friendly interface and extensive features make it suitable for a wide range of educational projects, from graphic design assignments and UX/UI design courses to team projects that require collaborative work. Students and educators utilize Figma for creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs as part of coursework, capstone projects, or even extracurricular activities like design clubs. The platform's real-time collaboration feature is particularly beneficial in educational settings, as it allows students to work together in groups remotely.

Figma also serves as a valuable tool for educators in creating interactive instructional materials and engaging presentations. Teachers can design custom templates, educational infographics, and interactive diagrams that enhance the visual learning experience.

Jobs

In Canada, Figma’s position as a leading tool for digital design has resulted in various job titles related to its use across industries, particularly in technology, marketing, and design sectors. Some of the common job titles that use Figma include UX/UI Designer, Product Designer, Graphic Designer, Visual Designer, and Interaction Designer. These roles often require proficiency in Figma as a key skill for creating user interfaces, prototyping, and collaborating on design projects. Additionally, roles like System Design Manager or Design Operations Specialist may also involve extensive use of Figma, particularly in larger organizations or teams focused on maintaining design consistency and efficiency across multiple projects and platforms.

The salary range for Figma-related jobs in Canada can vary widely based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific industry. However, the general salary range for a UX/UI Designer in Canada is $50,000 CAD to $73,000 CAD, according to Glassdoor.

Graphic Designers and Visual Designers utilizing Figma might see a slightly lower range, with an average annual salary of around $50,000 CAD, reflecting the broader spectrum of graphic design roles and the varying demands of these positions. It's useful to note that the salary for a Graphic Designer varies depending on industry and location, with metropolitan area positions often paying higher salaries to offset a higher cost of living in the area.

For more senior positions, salaries are often higher due to the skills and experience required of the job. A Systems Design Manager oversees the development and implementation of complex systems, leading a team of technical professionals and aligning system architecture with organizational goals. They manage project lifecycles, ensure compliance with standards, and foster innovation, requiring a blend of technical expertise, strategic planning, and leadership skills. System Design Managers in Canada typically make between $81,000 CAD and $126,000 CAD per year, according to Glassdoor.

Best Figma Classes in Canada

Students in Canada looking for in-person Figma classes may be interested in the Figma Training Course from The Knowledge Academy. This class helps students who are new to Figma quickly grasp essential skills and advance their use of this popular design tool. Students learn how to use Figma’s collaboration tools, create interactive prototypes and responsive designs, and enhance their designs using best practices and techniques.

Students across Canada may also enroll in live online courses from schools around the world. Live online classes are led by expert instructors in real-time, simulating traditional in-person learning with the added convenience of remote enrollment. Teachers answer questions as they come up, guide students through hands-on assignments, and offer personalized instruction.

Noble Desktop, a top coding and design school in New York City, offers live online enrollment in its Figma Bootcamp. This class is geared toward students who are new to Figma, helping them quickly advance. The class teaches you how to create responsive websites and apps, and to use image assets, grids, collaboration tools, and more.

If you’re ready to go beyond the basics of Figma, Noble Desktop’s Figma Advanced course uses hands-on learning to teach advanced Figma skills. Students add advanced functionality to prototypes, use variables in design systems, and more.

Students wanting to quickly advance their Figma skills can take both the Figma Bootcamp and Figma Advanced course at a discounted rate by enrolling in Noble’s Figma Masterclass, which includes both courses bundled together. Enrollment includes one complimentary retake and free setup assistance.

If you wish to focus on Figma for web design, City Lit’s UI Design for Websites Using Figma class covers UI design principles, branding best practices, and hands-on Figma training. Students learn how to create web designs in Figma that are both responsive and engaging. Other topics covered include how to design wireframes, prototypes, and how to use typography and layout, as well as other key design elements.

For those who want to continuously improve their Figma knowledge, Figma periodically offers free courses like the Introduction to Design Systems course. This class is accessed on demand, so you can take it when you choose and at your own pace. The class teaches students how to define, build, and manage their own design systems. You can also explore other on-demand classes to further your Figma skills.

What to Learn Alongside Figma?

UX Design Principles

The core tenets of UX design focus on crafting products that resonate deeply and usefully with end-users, incorporating an in-depth grasp of their preferences, skills, and constraints to shape solutions that are not just practical and user-friendly, but also enjoyable and inclusive. Understanding UX design principles helps to elevate the designs you create using Figma and impacts the design process as well. Figma allows for UX methodologies like mapping user journeys, creating wireframes, building prototypes, and conducting user feedback sessions all in one environment. The synergy between Figma's functionality and UX design fundamentals enables designers to effectively convert user data and feedback into concrete designs, foster better team collaboration, and refine the review process.

Prototyping and Interactive Design

Prototyping and interactive design are centered on developing mock-ups of digital solutions to evaluate and enhance the user interface and interactions before the start of the build phase. This process entails the creation of dynamic prototypes that mimic the product's functionality, providing an avenue for designers to test and confirm their ideas, navigational flows, and interactive elements. Mastering these principles allows you to craft immersive user experiences within Figma. Figma offers interactive elements and auto-animate options, enabling the assembly of detailed prototypes that mirror the end product, eliminating the need for coding in the design phase. Integrating these prototyping and interactive design techniques with Figma's capabilities can greatly elevate the design's usability and impact, making for a more captivating and user-friendly experience. Such a strategy not only makes the design and development journey more efficient, but also enhances dialogue and cooperation among designers, stakeholders, and end-users throughout the evaluation and refinement stages.

Collaboration and Project Management Tools

Mastering collaboration and project management tools allows for the effective and timely completion of projects. Collaboration and project management tools support direct communication, task allocation, deadline implementation, and allow for the monitoring of team progress. Figma integrates project management and collaboration tools such as Asana and Slack, and offers its own collaboration tools. This allows Figma to boost the efficiency of the design workflow. Linking Figma with project management applications promotes a unified working atmosphere where design modifications are promptly mirrored in the project management schedule, leading to a more aligned and transparent method of managing projects.

Figma Certificates and Certification

Figma certifications are formal recognitions offered to individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding and proficiency in using Figma. These certifications validate a user's skills in various aspects of Figma, from basic navigation and UI design to more advanced topics like prototyping and collaboration, making them valuable assets for professionals looking to showcase their expertise in the design industry.

What is the Difference Between Certificates and Certifications?

Earning a Figma certificate or certification reflects varying degrees of acknowledgment among design professionals. A Figma certificate is generally earned after finishing a course or workshop, marking that the participant has completed the training. Essentially, it serves as evidence of attendance and course completion. Obtaining a Figma certification involves more than just course completion; it necessitates passing a detailed test or evaluation. This type of certification is a formal validation of an individual's mastery of Figma at a professional standard, usually demanding a more thorough grasp of the software, including its advanced features, industry best practices, and the integration of design concepts within Figma.

Why Become Certified in Figma?

Earning Figma certification is a strategic move for individuals aiming to begin or advance their careers in the realms of design, technology, and related areas. Holding a Figma certification provides solid proof of one's abilities and understanding of this essential platform. Earning this credential can help your resume to stand out in a competitive job market by confirming your expertise and understanding of design and design tools.

For students who are just beginning a career in design, the process of earning Figma certification provides training that elevates design skills in addition to teaching them the ins and outs of this essential tool. Certification signals to prospective employers that the candidate is proficient in cutting-edge design tools and techniques, indicating a dedication to acquiring skills pertinent to the industry. In positions that require teamwork and efficiency, like UI/UX design, product creation, and digital marketing, the collaborative and adaptable features of Figma, supported by an official certification, ensure that individuals are prepared to contribute meaningfully to team efforts and turn innovative concepts into reality.

Will I Need to Be Certified in Figma to Find a Job?

While it's not strictly necessary to be certified in Figma to find a job, having a Figma certification can certainly help. It demonstrates your proficiency with the tool and commitment to your professional development, which can make you stand out to potential employers, especially in roles where design and collaboration are key. However, your portfolio, experience, and ability to showcase your design skills often carry more weight in hiring decisions. Pursuing Figma certification can actually bolster your portfolio and experience by providing hands-on assignments which can be used in your professional portfolio. Therefore, many students use Figma certificate programs to simultaneously learn Figma, improve their portfolios, and earn a certificate or certification through a structured learning path.

Certificate Classes in Canada

Canadian students looking for an in-person Figma certificate class may consider BrainStation’s UX Design Course. Figma serves as a point of focus in three out of four units in this course, emphasizing the tool’s importance for aspiring UX Designers. Students not only learn how to use Figma, but come to understand and develop the crucial skills and abilities needed to craft exceptional user experiences. Key skills emphasized by this course include design thinking, user research, information architecture, interaction design, interactive prototyping, wireframing, visual design, interface design, and more. As part of the class, students will compile a professional portfolio which serves as tangible evidence of the skills and knowledge gained.

If you have already gained a solid foundation in Figma and wish to further your skills, the Advanced Figma course from Figma Academy is intended to make you the go-to Figma expert on your team or within your organization. This class covers advanced skills and counts among its alumni companies like Google, Shopify, Salesforce, and Stripe.

For those aiming to break into the fields of UX, UI, or web design, the UX & UI Design Certificate program at Noble Desktop not only provides comprehensive training in Figma, but also equips students with the essential skills needed for these careers. The curriculum encompasses the basics of UX and UI design, techniques for user research and testing, and the principles of crafting user-friendly webpages and applications. Towards the end of the program, participants actively apply what they've learned by using Figma to finalize their projects, effectively demonstrating their capabilities and readying them to make a strong impression on potential employers with their portfolios.

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