Figma Introduces AI Capabilities and New UI at Config 2024

Figma has launched its new software package, with a makeover and numerous AI capabilities coming to customers later this year. The announcement coincides with the start of the company’s Config 2024 conference.

According to Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of Figma, “designing and building products is everyone’s business in a world where more software is being created and reimagined because of AI. Figma wants to make it possible for teams to go from idea to product—all in one place. From AI tools that elevate professional designers to developer tools that strengthen connections between design and code.”

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Figma began as a platform for product design but has since grown to support other aspects of project development, such as the introduction of its first piece of hardware, a keyboard called FigJam. The business unveiled its new AI design tools at Config 2024 to enhance professional designers’ skills and expedite workflows. These products include:

• Create designs: Using a text prompt, create UI mocks for mobile and web that vary in design and layout.
• Visual search: Use a frame, image, or screenshot to browse your team’s work and get the precise design you need. You can also obtain ideas from colleagues who have tackled similar difficulties before.
• Call the layers: With a single click, contextually rename and arrange each layer in your file.
• AI-powered prototypes: Eliminate all manual procedures by wiring static mocks into a functional prototype.
• Automate time-consuming chores with AI actions: Within Figma, use AI actions to add realistic text, translate, change the tone, create graphics, remove image backdrops, and more.

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Along with the new AI functions, Figma has a revised user interface (UI), resizable and ergonomic panels, and a new toolbar at the bottom of the canvas that provides quick access to the most recent features.

Further features of the recently released Dev Mode include the ability to surface component code from your design system or a supported UI Kit instead of auto-generated code, notifications to stay informed of changes, a new “Ready for Dev” view with improved design statuses, and a focused view for inspection.

Among the features of Config 2024 is Figma Slides, a brand-new tool for interactive presentation creation and delivery that is intended for professional designers as well as their partners. This item provides:

• Create with every ability level in mind: Figma’s accuracy and strength combine with user-friendly slide features for designers and their partners. Use your company’s pre-designed styles with personalized templates, import Figma designs and prototypes without sacrificing detail, or activate design mode to access Figma’s design tools.
• Collaborate to co-create and present: Presentations that function as well as they look thanks to co-presenter controls, speaker notes, an ordered grid view, and collaboration tools like chat, audio, and comments.
• Ask AI for help: Modify the tone of your writing, create and edit images, and rewrite or condense content all in one location.
• Transform one-sided talks into two-way dialogues: To advance your work, craft discussions that keep your audience interested and solicit questions and feedback all along the way.

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Although some may only be available to a select few users, all of these features are now available in open beta.

Apart from the aforementioned enhancements, Figma customers will also receive an additional surprise from the company: the most recent iOS UI kit is now available immediately within Figma’s assets panel.

Example mockups and component sets are included with every UI kit. On their Figma canvas, users may drag and drop an entire example screen that can be fully edited using library components. Additionally, every one of these UI kits is supported by Code Connect, a recent addition to Figma’s Dev Mode that makes component code visible so developers can quickly and consistently implement the correct code.