Figma's new AI tools: My honest thoughts after a day of testing

I was skeptical when Figma rolled out their AI features. But after spending a few hours trying them out I’m pleasantly surprised.

The good:

  • First Draft is incredibly quick. I made a basic guitar shop page in seconds.
  • Translation works well for languages like French and Japanese.
  • Background removal handles complex images better than expected.

The not-so-good:

  • AI-generated images look outdated. Guitars have extra strings and hands are… weird.
  • Auto-prototyping is inconsistent. Sometimes clever sometimes confusing.

My take: It won’t replace designers but it’s great for quick mockups. Time saved:

  • Rough landing page: 15 seconds (usually 30 minutes)
  • Page translation: 5 seconds (normally an hour)
  • Removing backgrounds: 2 seconds (beats hunting for old files)

What do you think? Any cool prompts for First Draft? I’m still learning the ropes!

I’ve gotta say, Figma’s AI tools have been a real eye-opener for me. Been using them for client work lately, and they’re a lifesaver when you’re on a tight deadline. The other day, I had to whip up a quick e-commerce concept for a pitch meeting. Used First Draft with a prompt like ‘modern outdoor gear store homepage with hero banner, featured products, and adventure blog section.’ Boom, basic layout done in seconds.

But here’s the thing - it’s not perfect. The AI-generated images are hit or miss. Had to swap out most of them because they looked off-brand. And don’t get me started on the text it generates. Always needs a human touch.

My two cents? Great for rapid ideation and getting the creative juices flowing. But it’s not gonna design a polished product for you. It’s more like a super-smart intern - helpful, but needs guidance. Anyone else finding clever ways to use these tools in their workflow?

I’ve been incorporating Figma’s AI tools into my workflow for the past few weeks, and I must say, they’ve streamlined certain aspects of my design process considerably. The time-saving potential is undeniable, especially for initial concept work and client presentations. However, I’ve found that the AI’s output often lacks the nuanced understanding of brand identity and user experience that comes from years of design expertise.

One area where I’ve seen significant improvement is in rapid prototyping for user testing. By using First Draft with specific prompts like ‘Create a mobile banking app interface with account overview, transaction history, and quick transfer options,’ I can generate a functional prototype in minutes rather than hours. This allows me to iterate quickly based on user feedback.

That said, the AI-generated designs often require substantial refinement. The visual hierarchy can be off, and the AI doesn’t always grasp the subtleties of color theory or typography. It’s a powerful starting point, but it’s crucial to maintain a critical eye and not rely on it entirely.

In my experience, these tools are best used as a complement to human creativity, not a replacement. They’re excellent for breaking through creative blocks or exploring multiple directions rapidly, but the final polish and strategic thinking still require a designer’s touch.

been playin with figma ai too. pretty neat for quick mockups but those images are janky lol. found using super specific prompts helps like ‘minimalist coffee shop menu with handdrawn icons’. still gotta tweak stuff myself tho. what kinda projects u using it for? any cool tricks?

As someone who’s been using Figma for years, I was initially wary of the AI features. However, after incorporating them into my workflow, I’ve found they’re a game-changer for certain tasks. The time savings are significant, especially for rapid prototyping and client presentations. That said, I’ve noticed the AI struggles with more nuanced design elements and brand consistency. It’s a powerful tool, but it still requires a designer’s eye to refine and polish the output. I’ve had success using specific, detailed prompts with First Draft, like ‘Create a minimalist tech startup homepage with a hero section, features grid, and testimonials.’ The key is to be precise and descriptive. Overall, I see these AI tools as enhancing our capabilities rather than replacing human creativity.

yo, i’ve been playing with figma’s ai stuff too. pretty cool for quick mockups, but man those ai images are janky af. i found using super specific prompts helps, like ‘sleek fitness app homepage with neon accents and workout tracker’. still gotta tweak stuff myself tho. what kinda projects you using it for?