UX has a Figma problem... #design #ui #figma #ux

The current state of UX design, especially among juniors is extremely sad. The skills are lower on average than even a few years ago, and people are focused on figma tutorials more than on becoming an actual designer. Figma's marketing, and dozens of influencer ambasadors led to an echo chamber that pushes a "one true narrative" and in the process destroys the UX industry one little nudge after the other.

What do you think?

[jadythemovielover]

This is why I started learning design theory instead of jumping into Figma right away. But unfortunately, there's less free resources for UX than UI online.

[adilbek.ermekov]

Exactly, I've been thinking the same! It's really refreshing to hear someone articulate what's been on my mind

[marijabarusic]

Yes, Michal! Keep spreading the truth! I have to say that I DO NOT watch FIGMA tutorials, even though I was tempted to because I'm working on my first case study project. I've been solely focused on solving problems, and after your UI in mobile apps 1 & 2 in April, I've been working on a hi-fi prototype.

I'm so glad that God Almighty, through His Son, our God Jesus Christ, guided me to your videos, books, and courses. Most importantly, it's right—it means my creativity is expanding. You are teaching us how to design and solve problems, not just how to use FIGMA or any other design tool, and that's fantastic! Kudos to you!

By the way, most of those "content creators" aren't even properly establishing a hierarchy in their portfolio projects, so how can anyone follow them?

[seanmakku]

I said the exact same thing decades ago as Photoshop first gained popularity.

[buildwithori]

The disconnect between good figma design and good UI/UX design is even visible in these tutorials. I always cringe where I see someone designing without a component.

Yeah, it is all fancy and cute but how will your development team replicate it

Practicality, structure and usefulness should trump cuteness in design and it seems to be the opposite with Figma.

Despite the thousands of figma tutorials, you'll find that few people create tutorials on creating design systems, creating consistent designs and even tutorials on how to simplify complex designs so that they are easier to build while still meeting the needs of the users.

I believe every designer should try to build and sell a product from scratch using no-code/low-code. This will change they way they understand design.

[psm]

What are some other ways besides Figma that I can use to practice and improve my UX/UI skills?

[GustiDevitto]

just like corelDraw, Ai, Ps, etc.. a lot of people can operate the software, but very few who actually able to design.

[YggdrasilReviews]

That's why I started following your advice. It's been very helpful and insightful. Trying ti save some money for that sweet bundle on your site. But currently using your free material in the meantime till I get the funds.

[jzea]

Haha a little harsh. Don't fully agree, but I think it's important the message you are conveying is spread. Design needs to be learnt above all, the tools are important too. I'm a "figma operator" guilty. But I want to learn and improve my designs through design work and knowledge.

[FablesOutofSpace]

What should we do then? Everything we do in our company runs through figma, what do ypu mean learn design, not figma? I learned design and İ use figma as a design tool?!

[raerlymade]

I think another problem is these "designers" don't know actually how to use figma either, lol. Not everything us UX design either. I do marketing design in figma, building email design systems. Most teams/agencies are not doing this.

[pamelathedesigner]

Exactly, I coached someone last year, while I focused on the principles he was obsessed with drawing shapes😅 he will learn in the real world 😂

[marzoval]

I'm curious what you think is causing this Figma phenomenon. I use Figma myself as my job requires it but it's hard not to see the cultish following surrounding it. It's like amateur photographers buying a $6000 Canon R3 camera thinking it'll make them better photographers.

[raerlymade]

Also want to drop another one here that might ruffle feathers - Figma isn't the problem imo, it''s the rise of the product designer (or ux designer). The last 5 years we have had a BOOM of product designers because of the rise in SASS products - that is the problem.

These fresh designers jump straight into UX design or product design which is only a fraction of the pie. Not everything is product/ux design people. It's SO annoying to see this weird cult like focus on product design over the last few years.

We still have brand design, marketing design, web design, etc. And most brand designers today are working in figma. UX is still important in brand/marketing.

Stop obsessing over product/ux design..not everything is product/ux all the time. Focus on being a great designer - be a good listener and become a master problem solver. "product design" doesn't encompass all of design.

[mikebelmont]

So we are using X instead of Twitter now?

[jameshuisangkim]

Such a weird phenomenon, instead design principles, and rules people spend more time and effort learning the software

[usmancg]

haha, that's reminds me Blender users.

[varunsinghrathore]

Learning figma will not make you a ux designer, Learning the tool and implementing the teachings will

[SnuggleMuffinMan]

I disagree here. I don’t want to have to teach a junior how to use the Figma tool. At the very least you need to know how to use Auto Layout to even begin using our components.

I do agree however, that prototyping obsessions are not nearly as valuable as understanding components, auto layout and using frames instead of rectangles… lol

[akramovico]

In other words, learn to be a designer not a design technician.