Being creative and designing the concepts locked in your mind should be something everyone can do. That’s the future that the company behind Figma wants.
Figma’s vector-based tools combined with working in the cloud rival even industry heavy-hitters like Adobe. The application is all the more appealing when you consider the unlimited free access you can get.
Check out this list of the Best UI Design Software
About Figma
Figma is a tool primarily used by designers to create beautiful but functional user interfaces and tailored user experiences. The main selling point of Figma is that all the work is done on the cloud.
This means you don’t need to sync local files to the cloud and collaborative work can be done from anywhere with internet access. Even so, there are dedicated apps for Windows and Mac desktops as well as mobile versions for Android and Apple devices.
Most people compare Figma to Adobe’s program, Adobe XD. Some differences make Figma stand out against the competition though, and Figma skills are highly desirable. The advanced features are incredibly powerful but approachable and easy to learn.
If you don’t want to pay for the rather expensive Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, Figma presents itself as a premium alternative. This is probably why Adobe announced its desire to acquire Figma, Inc. and its products back in 2022.
| Features | Description |
| System Requirements | Figma’s desktop app runs on both Windows and Mac devices. For Windows, you need Windows 8 or newer running in a 64-bit environment. Macs need macOS 11 or newer. You can also run Figma in one of the more popular web browsers. Figma is compatible with Chrome 72+, Firefox 78+, and Microsoft Edge 79+. |
| Date Released | Figma’s first public release was on September 27th, 2016. |
| Last Update | The latest update for Figma was released on June 21st, 2023. |
| Rating | Figma has a 4.7 out of 5 rating on G2. |
| Uses | Figma is a tool used primarily for creating high-quality user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX). It has many features for collaborating in teams, brainstorming, and wireframing new approaches. |
| Cost | There are four tiers of subscriptions users can pay to get various benefits. The Free tier is free, Figma Professional is $12/editor/month, Figma Organization is $45/editor/month, and Enterprise is $75/editor/month. |
Figma 2023: The Absolute Beginner to Pro Class
- How Many Videos: 47 lessons
- How Long: 1 hour and 58 minutes
- Level: All Levels
Whether you’re an aspiring UI/UX designer or already established, this course on Skillshare is appropriate for all Figma skill levels.
The lessons here not only teach you the basics of how Figma’s toolset works but also walk you through a proper workflow for designing a tracking app.
By the end, you’ll understand what it takes to brainstorm a new project, how to create an effective wireframe of any webpage or app, and the final steps in development and handoff.
Figma Tutorials: The Ultimate Crash Course
- How Many Videos: 37 lessons
- How Long: 8 hours
- Level: All Levels
Mizko shares everything you need to know about Figma for free through this crash course on YouTube. Some of the videos in the playlist date back a few years but the information is still relevant to thinking like a professional UI designer.
Mizko uploads and adds new videos to the playlist pretty consistently, especially when feature updates are pushed out to the public.
Streamline your workflow: The efficient UI/UX design process in Figma
- How Many Videos: 9 lessons
- How Long: 36 minutes
- Level: Intermediate
If you’ve already dabbled in Figma and feel ready to take on the next challenge, this course teaches you the formula for an efficient workflow. You’ll learn how to save time and recreate designs without the tedious repetitive work.
Once you know how to increase your productivity, scaling up and down designs to meet client needs is a breeze. You don’t need to dedicate a huge amount of time to watching videos and pouring over resources either.
Build your first plugin course by Figma on YouTube
- How Many Videos: 6 lessons
- How Long: 1 hour and 15 minutes
- Level: Intermediate
Who better to learn about Figma than from the creators of Figma? Plugins are essential pieces of software that enhance the creative experience.
From automating simple tasks to performing complex but niche functions, plugins introduce a quality of life you won’t be able to go without.
This is a pretty technical series of videos so make sure you already have some Figma experience under your belt before attempting to follow along with the information here.
The Complete Figma Design System Course 2023 (Advanced)
- How Many Videos: 27 lessons
- How Long: 2 hours and 42 minutes
- Level: Intermediate to Advanced
By practicing in real-life situations and designs, you learn the advanced features that Figma has to offer. If you’re thinking to yourself that this may be too advanced for you, the website also offers a beginner’s course.
The course isn’t limited to English speakers either - there are Spanish and Chinese subtitles so you get the same great material in whichever of the three languages you’re most comfortable with.
Learn Figma: User Interface Design Essentials - UI/UX Design
- How Many Videos: 136 lessons
- How Long: 10 hours and 9 minutes
- Level: Beginner
Sometimes you just need a refresher on the essentials of a particular application. That’s exactly what this course aims to help you with.
The information is comprehensive, so you don’t have to worry about the instructor accidentally skipping steps that leave you confused and frustrated.
Designing with Figma: Landing Page for Mobile App
- How Many Videos: 16 lessons
- How Long: 3 hours and 48 minutes
- Level: Beginner
If you’re looking to become a freelance UI designer, this course is an excellent choice for learning about web design. Right out of the gate, you get a brief from a fictional client that simulates a real-life project.
The instructor takes you on a journey to learn how to handle the wireframes you make during the process as well as tips and tricks to save you time.
Motion Design with Figma: Animations, Motion Graphics, UX/UI
- How Many Videos: 147 lessons
- How Long: 13 hours and 48 minutes
- Level: All Levels
Motion graphics and animations can be the perfect accent to a webpage that elevates the user experience to the next level.
In this course, you learn the principles of motion graphics and how to use them sparingly so you don’t overwhelm users.
Figma UI UX Design Essentials
- How Many Videos: 111 lessons
- How Long: 11 hours and 33 minutes
- Level: Beginner
Starting from the beginning can be daunting but this course explains everything simply without being condescending.
On top of the usual typography and icon design most lessons cover, this course discusses client expectations and how to communicate with those who require your services.
Build Wireframes and Low-Fidelity Prototypes
- How Many Videos: 37 lessons
- How Long: 23 hours
- Level: Beginner
If you want to work on specific parts of designing a mobile app, then this lesson may be for you. It comes directly from Google and covers how to make storyboards, build prototypes, wireframes, and low-fidelity prototypes.
Best Figma Tutorials FAQS
Is Figma Beginner-Friendly?
Most people find that it only takes a few days to get the hang of it, especially if you watch tutorials or take classes online. There are advanced features that take a little longer to learn, but they aren’t necessary to use Figma.
Should I Use Figma or Adobe XD?
Many consider XD to be slightly better. However, Adobe recently bought Figma, and many people speculate that they are planning on phasing out XD and replacing it with Figma. If this is the case, it may be better to use software that will stick around longer.
How Much Does Figma Cost?
There are four price brackets for Figma. The first is the free version. As the name suggests, this program is free and offers basic features. Then there’s the Professional bracket, which costs $12 a month, the Organization, which costs $45 a month, and Enterprise, which costs $75 a month.
Check out this tutorial on how to Crop Images in Figma.