Any questions about my experience in Figma's AI and redesign beta testing?

Hey everyone! I’ve been testing Figma’s new AI features and redesigned interface for the last couple of months. I’m using a throwaway account to stay anonymous. But I’m happy to share my thoughts!

I work in UX at a big company. We’ve been trying out the new stuff since April. We gave feedback to Figma through Slack.

Here’s the scoop:

  • The AI? Not that great. It’s kind of gimmicky and didn’t help my workflow at all.
  • The new interface? Ugh. It’s frustrating. They tried to make it simpler but ended up making basic tasks harder.
  • We complained a lot about the floating panels. They blend in with frames and it’s confusing.
  • Figma removed some features we used a lot. They added them back after we complained.
  • It feels like they’re trying to appeal to non-designers. But it’s worse for those of us with complex design systems.

What do you want to know about my experience? I’m happy to answer questions!

Thanks for sharing your insights on Figma’s beta testing! Your experience echoes some concerns I’ve heard from other designers. I’ve been using Figma for years, and while I’m excited about the potential of AI, I’m cautious about how it might affect traditional workflows.

The issue with the floating panels is a real drawback; a streamlined workspace is crucial for effective design, especially when dealing with intricate projects. Although reintroducing some of the earlier features is a step in the right direction, the overall interface change seems to complicate rather than simplify the process.

Have you seen any further improvements since your initial feedback?

I appreciate your candid feedback on Figma’s beta testing. It’s concerning to hear that the AI features haven’t enhanced productivity as hoped. The interface changes sound particularly troublesome, especially for those working with complex design systems. Have you noticed any impact on collaboration or version control with these new updates? As someone who relies heavily on Figma for team projects, I’m curious how these changes might affect our workflow efficiency. Also, did Figma provide any timeline for addressing the issues you’ve raised, particularly regarding the floating panels and removed features?