Figma, a website and app design platform, on Wednesday unveiled a user interface (UI) redesign and a number of new artificial intelligence (AI) features. The company is calling the new look UI3 as this is the third major redesign of the platform since its closed beta launch in 2016. Additionally, a suite of new AI features have been introduced, including tools such as Visual Search, Asset Search, text and image creation and more . One AI feature even turns static mockups into interactive prototypes. The new platform and features are being rolled out as part of a limited beta.
Figma UI3 redesign
In a blog post, Figma said that older design is “becoming inaccessible to newcomers” and wants to introduce new ways to interact with user experience (UX) design elements that didn’t exist a decade ago. The new Figma UI3 comes with resizable panels and a slim new toolbar at the bottom of the canvas. Another big change came to the layout options. All options including width, height and autolayout are now merged into one panel.
Figma UI3 skin
Author of the photo: Figma
Figma said it is moving away from its minimalist user interface with sharp edges and abstract icons to focus on usability instead of decoration. With UI3, users will get backgrounds on entrances, borders around drop-down menus, rounded corners and 200 hand-drawn icons by designer Tim Van Damme.
Figma AI features
While the redesign is a significant addition, Figma has also introduced several new AI features to automate and streamline user workflows. The suite of features is called Figma AI, and the company is offering these tools for free during a beta period that will last throughout 2024. Here’s a quick rundown of the notable AI features:
- Visual Search — Will allow users to find and reuse designs by loading an image and selecting an area on the canvas. The feature will also work by entering a text query.
- Asset Search — An existing feature will now use AI to understand the semantic meaning and context behind search queries to find the most relevant components and assets.
- Content Generation — Users will be able to generate realistic copy and images to fill pages to create engaging models.
- Remove Image Background — As the name suggests, it will allow users to isolate subjects from images without having to change tools.
- Prototype — Can turn static models into interactive prototypes, allowing users to see the flow of the interface at the idea level.
- Rename Layers — Will allow users to rename layers with one click. The AI will use the contextual titles to rename them.
- Build Design — In the Actions panel, it will generate UI layout and component options using text queries. This can effectively generate a first draft design that can be edited by hand.
Figma also noted that the generative AI features are powered by off-the-shelf third-party AI models that are not trained on private Figma files or user data. However, the company also highlighted the need to train AI models on Figma-specific design concepts and patterns. For this, Figma will allow admins to decide if their team’s data is used to train the AI. The announcement goes on to add that this decision will not affect whether or not they can use AI tools. This optional training takes effect on August 15.
Both Figma UI3 and Figma AI are currently available in limited beta. Interested users can join the waiting list directly from Figma by navigating to the bottom and clicking the “?” icon.
Apart from these, Figma has also introduced a new presentation tool called Figma Slides in open beta.
