I’m new to the world of UI/UX design and have come across different perspectives on the tools that are essential for the job. Some designers I’ve spoken with use a combination of Adobe XD along with Photoshop and Illustrator to enhance their projects. Meanwhile, others prefer tools like InVision or even older ones such as Sketch.
I’m curious to know if it’s possible to rely solely on Figma as a beginner designer. Will I encounter challenges that require me to learn other software, like the Adobe suite? My goal is to manage my learning effectively and avoid spreading myself too thin across various applications when they’re not absolutely necessary.
What have you found regarding the necessity of design tools in actual projects?
Figma covers about 90% of what you need as a UI/UX designer. I’ve used it exclusively for two years and rarely need anything else. The collaboration features are unmatched - developers can inspect your designs directly. You might occasionally need other tools though. Photoshop or Illustrator help with complex image editing or custom illustrations. Some clients have specific workflows that require different tools. My advice? Master Figma first. It handles wireframing, prototyping, design systems, and handoff seamlessly. Once you’re comfortable and hit specific limitations in real projects, then expand your toolkit. Starting with too many tools just slows down learning without adding much value.
figma’s solid for most design work, but dont box yourself in. ive been designing for 3 years and it covers about 85% of what i do. you’ll still need photoshop for photo retouching and illustrator for complex vector stuff that figma struggles with. start with figma tho - it’s free and the prototyping is great.
I switched from Sketch to Figma about 18 months ago and it’s been a game changer. The biggest win is how it streamlines everything - no more version control headaches and I can work from anywhere without syncing issues. That said, it’s not perfect for everything. I still jump into Illustrator for complex icon work and use Photoshop when I need serious photo editing. Bottom line: Figma handles 90% of what you need, but you’ll want specialized tools for specific tasks. If you’re just starting out, stick with Figma until you actually run into those limitations on real projects.