Figma fiasco.
Get the inside scoop on Figma’s latest features — are they really worth the hype?
Disclaimer: The recent updates to Figma have left many of us in the design community scratching our heads. With new AI features and a revamped user interface, it’s clear that Figma is trying to shake things up. But are these changes for the better, or have they created more problems than they’ve solved?
I’ve been reading through Reddit comments and concerns about Figma’s recent updates, and I decided to compile them into a post at Setproduct Design Blog. I hope it’s somewhat helpful and entertaining.
To be honest, I was just curious to see what would happen if I put all your rants together in one place. And, well, the result is… interesting. I also generated some images to go along with the post, but let’s just say they’re… creative. Read original post 👉 https://www.setproduct.com/blog/dark-side-of-figmas-updates
What Went Wrong in Figma
As I sat through the latest Config, I couldn’t help but feel a bitter taste in my mouth. It seemed like Figma’s priorities had shifted from creating the best product for designers to increasing profit.
I asked myself three questions:
What happened to the Figma we loved?
Why are they prioritizing features that make money over user experience?
And what does this mean for the future of design?
The Adobe deal collapsing seemed to be the turning point.
Figma’s focus on making trendy AI content generation features to increase its user base is a pivot from its original ethos.
I’m not against AI features, but 90% of their efforts seem to be spent on something that’s “cool” but not necessarily useful. The auto layer renaming feature was a highlight, but it’s not enough to make up for the lack of attention to user needs.
New UI, But Why?
The new interface is a mess.
By trying to “declutter,” Figma has made it more difficult to complete simple tasks. Crucial functions are hidden, and it takes 2–3 clicks to do what used to take one.
The new UI seems to be designed for non-designers, not the power users who have been loyal to Figma. It’s like they’re trying to appeal to a broader audience at the expense of those who have complex design systems.
I’m not alone in my frustration.
Many users have complained about the floating white panels and toolbar, which blend in with frames and make it harder to work. Figma didn’t realize that designers use these features frequently.
The redesign hasn’t improved anything and has actually made the experience worse.
Do We Really Need AI?
Figma’s AI features are gimmicky and useless in their current state.
Even the test group didn’t care about them.
It’s clear that Figma is trying to appeal to non-designers and make it easier for them to create designs without hiring actual designers.
But what about the designers who have spent years honing their craft?
Do we really need AI to do our jobs?
Figma’s AI seem to be a way to automate repetitive tasks, but instead, they’re being used to generate trendy content. It’s like Figma is trying to become Canva, but without the ease of use and simplicity that makes Canva appealing.
The AI features are not only unnecessary but also a distraction from the real issues that designers face.
One user pointed out that the AI functionality didn’t speed up their workflow at all. In fact, it made it more complicated.
Another user noted that the AI features are not even useful for creating simple flows, which is something that any decent designer can already do. So, why is Figma wasting its time and resources on something that’s not even useful?
Four Biggest Pain Points
The new UI and AI features are just the tip of the iceberg. There are four major pain points that designers are facing with Figma:
- The floating panels: They’re a waste of space and make it harder to use the ruler and guides. Unless you collapse the panel, it’s a constant annoyance.
- The floating toolbar: It blends in with frames and is a pain to use. Many designers have asked for the option to move it to the top or bottom, but Figma hasn’t listened.
- Non-contextual toolbar: Figma moved all the useful functions to the right panel and collapsed them behind a “More Actions” menu. It’s like they’re trying to hide the features that designers use the most.
- Nested instances are collapsed by default: This is the most frustrating one for me. I have to manually open every accordion for every instance I need to adjust. It’s a huge time-waster and a major annoyance.
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Conclusion
The Figma fiasco is a classic case of tech-capitalism gone wrong.
Figma is prioritizing profits over user experience, and it’s clear that they’re no longer interested in creating the best product for designers.
The new UI and AI features are just a distraction from the real issues.
So, what’s the alternative?
Penpot is one option, but it still has its own set of problems.
Sketch is another option, but it’s not perfect either. Maybe it’s time for a new player to enter the market and shake things up.
As one user noted, “I don’t really care what Figma does. It’s their prerogative. As soon as a better software comes along, I’m gone.”
Originally posted at Setproduct Blog 👇https://www.setproduct.com/blog/dark-side-of-figmas-updates
