Figma

Figma is a cloud-based vector graphics editor and prototyping tool used for designing user interfaces and user experiences. It supports vector editing, raster images, and components, with a focus on real-time collaboration. Projects are stored in the cloud, enabling multiple designers to work simultaneously, leave comments, track changes, and revert to earlier versions.

Figma was founded in 2012 by Dylan Field and Evan Wallace and launched publicly in 2015. It gained rapid adoption among product and design teams due to its browser-based workflow, design systems capabilities, and cross-platform accessibility. In 2023, Adobe completed its acquisition of Figma, integrating it into its Creative Cloud portfolio while continuing to operate Figma as a product line under Adobe.

Key features include components and variants for building design systems, auto layout for responsive UI, and interactive prototyping with transitions and overlays. An Inspect panel surfaces CSS, iOS, and Android properties to aid handoffs. Figma supports plugins and a community where users share templates, components, and other assets. It can import Sketch files and export formats such as SVG, PNG, and PDF.

Figma emphasizes collaboration through real-time presence indicators, live cursors, and built-in version history. It is primarily browser-based, with desktop applications available for macOS and Windows, providing a consistent cross-platform experience regardless of local hardware.

Usage and impact: Figma is widely used by product designers, UX researchers, and frontend engineers for UI design, prototyping, and maintaining design systems. It competes with tools like Sketch and Adobe XD, with collaboration and accessibility as defining strengths.