Design enthusiasts, buckle up! Figma just dropped some mind-blowing updates at the Figma Config 2024, and we’re about to take you on a wild ride through the future of UX design. Config 2024 is Figma’s annual UX conference that gathered designers, developers, and creative professionals in San Francisco, California, from June 26-27. If you weren’t able to attend IRL, you can visit Figma’s YouTube channel to check out 90+ videos including the event’s keynote from Dylan Field, Figma’s CEO and Co-founder, and talks from some of the brightest minds in UX and beyond.

The go-to tool for UX design, loved for its easy-to-use features and teamwork capabilities, Figma is established to help UX teams work together smoothly, no matter where they are. Whether you’re a pro or just starting, Figma makes your design process easier and more precise. At Figma Config 2024, Figma has taken it a notch higher by introducing a bevvy of exciting updates. 

Here’s a quick rundown:

• Enhanced collaboration tools
• Improved interface capabilities
• AI advancements
• The new “Figma Slides” tool

Let’s unpack the new Figma features! Keep reading.

🎭 Figma Slides: The Presentation Tool That’s Changing the Game

Figma Slides is not just another slideshow tool – it’s a game-changing product that leverages Figma’s core strengths of collaboration and iteration to transform presentations into dynamic, engaging experiences. Say goodbye to one-way lectures and hello to intelligent, adaptive, and collaborative demonstrations.

Why Figma Slides is Making Waves?

Figma Slides is set to cause a seismic shift in the design and UX world and beyond. Its versatility makes it a potential go-to tool for anyone needing to create presentations, potentially giving PowerPoint and Google Slides a run for their money.

Standout Features

So, which are the best kickers for Figma slides? Check these out –

Embedded Prototypes

• Paste prototypes directly into your slide deck: Easily insert your Figma prototypes into your presentations without any hassle.
• Share work seamlessly with team and stakeholders: Collaborate more effectively by allowing team members and stakeholders to view and interact with prototypes within the presentation.
• Eliminate the need for external links or walk-through videos: No more juggling multiple links or creating separate videos. Everything you need is right in your slides.

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Responsive Views

• Presentations look stunning on all devices and screens: Ensure that your presentations are visually appealing on any device, from desktops to mobile phones.
• Ensure accessibility for anyone, anywhere: Make sure your presentations are accessible to everyone, regardless of their device or location.

Customizable Templates

• Build presentations from customizable templates: Start with a solid foundation using customizable templates tailored to your needs.
• Save templates for future use: Save your favorite templates and reuse them to save time on future projects.
• Maintain brand consistency with color palettes, typography, and logos: Keep your presentations on-brand by using consistent colors, fonts, and logos.
• Share custom templates within your organization: Make it easy for your team to create cohesive presentations by sharing your custom templates.

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Interactive Elements

• Engage audiences with polls, alignment scales, and voting capabilities: Make your presentations more interactive and engaging with built-in tools for audience participation.
• Use ‘face piles’ to gauge audience reactions and agreement: Visualize audience feedback and agreement with ‘face piles,’ giving you real-time insight into their reactions.
• Capture real-time feedback: Get instant feedback from your audience, helping you understand their thoughts and opinions on the spot.
• Streamline decision-making conversations: Use interactive elements to facilitate discussions and make decision-making more efficient.

Did You Know?

How to Convert Figma to Framer: Elevating Your Interactive Prototypes

Workflow Optimization

Figma Slides serves as an ‘All in One’ tool within the Figma ecosystem. Designers can easily incorporate elements and prototypes from existing or past projects, streamlining the entire presentation creation process. This integration not only enhances your presentation capabilities but also significantly reduces time spent switching between different tools.

Availability and Future Plans

Currently, Figma Slides is available as a free beta. It’s set to become available on both free and paid plans in early 2025, making it accessible to a wide range of users across different subscription levels.

The Impact on Design Presentations

Figma Slides is poised to revolutionize how designers present their work. By combining the power of Figma’s design capabilities with robust presentation features, it bridges the gap between design and communication. This tool enables designers to create more compelling, interactive, and context-rich presentations, potentially leading to better understanding and faster approvals from stakeholders.

Beyond Design: Widespread Appeal

While primarily targeted at designers, Figma Slides’ intuitive interface and powerful features make it attractive for professionals across various fields. Its ability to create engaging, interactive presentations could see it adopted in sectors like education, business, and marketing, further solidifying Figma’s position as a versatile creativity platform.

Special Note: Figma Slides is currently in free beta and will be available on both free and paid plans in early 2025, making it accessible to designers at all levels.

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🤖 AI Integration: Figma’s New Intelligent Assistant

Figma’s AI features are designed to streamline your workflow and boost creativity. From “Suggest Auto Layout” to “Make Design,” these tools are set to change how we approach design tasks. While AI in design might seem intimidating at first, Figma is positioning these features as empowering tools rather than replacements for human creativity.

Why you’ll love it:

• Automate routine tasks like layer naming, freeing up time for creative work
• Get instant inspiration and starting points for new designs with the “Make Design” feature
• Maintain organized files with AI-assisted layer naming
• Find inspiration quickly with the “Search for Similar” feature, scanning the entire Figma community
• Speed up your workflow with intelligent auto layout suggestions

Figma Config 2024 reminded us that AI is meant to be a tool in your designer toolbox, not a replacement for your unique creative vision. It’s there to handle the mundane tasks and provide a springboard for your ideas, allowing you to focus on the nuanced, human-centered aspects of design.

🎨 UI3: Figma’s Sleek Interface Upgrade

The new UI3 redesign uncovered at Figma Config 2024 offers a cleaner, more customizable workspace. With a decluttered interface and flexible panel options, it’s all about enhancing your design focus. The familiar Figma structure remains, but with significant improvements to functionality and aesthetics.

Why you’ll love it:

• Enjoy a less distracting, more streamlined workspace with the toolbar moved to the bottom
• Customize your interface to suit your specific workflow with resizable, collapsible panels
• Ease into the new design with the option to toggle between old and new UI during the migration period
• Experience improved focus with the new spotlight feature that fades surrounding UI when focusing on specific elements
• Benefit from a larger canvas for design work due to the decluttered space

The measured rollout of this new interface design at Figma Config 2024 shows Figma’s understanding of how impactful design changes can be, allowing users to adapt at their own pace. This update is all about spending more time focused on designing and less time navigating the interface.

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Wrap Up

As Figma Config 2024 wraps up, it’s clear that Figma continues to lead the charge in UX design innovation. The new features and tools showcased at the conference, from Figma Slides to AI integrations, promise to make our design workflows smoother and more engaging. Whether you’re embedding prototypes directly into presentations, creating responsive views, or leveraging AI to streamline your tasks, Figma’s latest updates are here to enhance your creativity and productivity.