Question to a creative designer, have you tried Figma?
This article might sound like I specifically promote Figma. Well, I might, even though I am not fond of becoming a reviewer since everyone deserves their own experiences. But I believe if I share my experience through a story, the article will become insightful or at least an affirmation for the reader.
And somehow, if Figma is looking for a designer that could advocate people to use their product, I am guaranteed, you guys are looking for me!
Wow, where do I get the confidence from? LOL
I know if I mention Figma, everyone will start thinking the product can only be used by the Product Designer. I am also using Figma for the first time for a User Interface (UI) project. Its features support me starting from brainstorming, to creating a prototype, it is easily handed over to the developer team, their community support designer with plugins for wireframe, icon, and many things.
However, a part of me is always a creative designer. I want to give the perspective of a creative designer. Just like developing a product, we also went through a long process of discussion and collaboration until all of us agreed the final design is final, not final_rev02 on the design’s title file.
There was one of the projects that I went through. The project is a campaign for social media, the outcome will be an e-poster, infographic and social media posts such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The project involves several people, such as the project owner or the client, copywriter, illustrator, editor, and me. A visual designer that happens also managing the project.
As a designer we might work with many people from across functions, right? Often when I want to share the progress for the project, I used to send them the png or jpg file, it is a common thing designers do because the file is acceptable for everyone. Then our download folder will be filled with the file with similar names during the project that we probably won’t treasure again when the project is over.
Thinking about the experience. I want to simplify the process and somewhat create documentation along the way so that the whole team also the client could see the milestone of the project. In my mind, it is like having a one only true source for the whole project. So I offer to use Figma.
I am fully aware if I suggest using Figma. It will be my job as well to help the client to understand the tools. Since wishing them to watch the tutorial on how to use Figma on YouTube, probably takes their time. I shouldn’t expect too much.
However, I used to educate my client on several things that I thought they will interact with the project. Such as knowing how to comment, how to access each page and how to download frames.
Since the plan was to make everything easier for everyone to collaborate for the project. We agree that once the first draft has been finished, everyone should take their part in each step of the progress. Before using Figma, when there is one mistyped copy edited by the editor, placing illustration or image, the visual designer will be the one who applied those in the design. Yet, after using Figma, each person could make changes without relying on a visual designer.
Please take note that on the first draft, as a visual designer I should create a firm space for my teammate. My work is always creating the whole layout then putting a space for others and also the direction of it. For example, for copywriter Copy placeholder for event explanation, which could be two lines in 140 characters. And for illustrator Placeholder illustration 300x300px. This way everyone has the same understanding of the design and the visual designer doesn’t need to rework the layout again.
For the documentation, I suggest to the team to learn that each page has its function. Such a page for presentation will be different from the page that we use to milestone, illustration assets or final design. Then help the client acknowledge the page function.
After the long and winding process of the project. There will be a day when the sun rises then the project ends. For this last step, simple things happen. All I did was change the ownership of the Figma file, and replace my email with my clients' email. They can access the project every time they want, have full documentation of the project and since it is web-based, they don’t have to install design tools that they probably never use on their computer.
That’s it, we are done! Then the payment came after!
In my opinion, whether the design is made for a product or creative designer. For web-based design tools, Figma with its features could cover the designer’s needs. Since designers are working with many functions. The website version will help us to collaborate since it will be one link away for everyone.
If you are not a designer but reading this post, I hope my post could add a new positive view on seeing designers’ perspectives in working on project collaboration.
Thank you for reading my story!
The original idea for the story is, I was in a job interview and the interviewer asked me what design tools I usually use. Somehow I feel a little bit offended. I have been working in the design field for more than ten years, I am not bragging about my skills or experiences, I happen to be that old! LOL
Those questions are pretty questionable for me. I mean, most designers always find a way to solve many problems, that’s what they do for a living. So if new design tools come up, we will find a way to learn to use them. Especially the tools that could help our work faster or smoother. Not to mention a lot of tutorials on YouTube will help designers to learn how to use the design tools.
Well, after the interview finished. I was wondering. Does everyone think like I do? Do they have the same perspective that any design tools are meant to be learned? What also matters is the designers themselves?
Yet if I come up with that topic, I am afraid I might offend someone. I don’t want to be a bad guy or anything, I need to create peace and an insightful page. And fun. And cool. So me! LOL
So I remember about this project and use my power of writing to share my experience. Haha.
By the way, if you have any opinion about the article you could drop a comment on the post or poke me on Twitter and Instagram. I am not recommended to follow my account, because sometimes I just post a silly story of my life there hahaha!
See you in the next story! Bye!
