Press Release

Press Release

Press Release

A new era of design tools

A new era of design tools

A new era of design tools

This is not the end, but let’s prepare!

This is not the end, but let’s prepare!

This is not the end, but let’s prepare!

September 28, 2022

September 28, 2022

September 28, 2022

Adobe acquired my favorite design tool

The weekend is over, yet I’m still recovering from the news that Figma — my favorite design tool, has been acquired by Adobe. After spending some time on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, my heart goes out to many designers in our community.

I admit that, from a product designer’s POV, $20B is a fantastic closing chapter for the Figma team. Figma has done a marvelous job of making design accessible to many people, especially in emerging markets and developing regions. Newcomers can experience, learn and hone their skills in design that would otherwise be nearly impossible. Talk about positive impact! On the other hand, the designer in me was not so happy, to be honest.

In memories of Figma

I was one of those Figma early adopters. When I discovered Figma, I quickly realized this would be the perfect partner in crime on my journey to stay Adobe-free.

Figma’s main advantage against other competitors was how their browser-based tools made collaboration better (and way more fun). Gone were the days of exchanging files back and forth between teams. The power of collaboration between developers, designers, builders, and start-up communities was immeasurable, thanks to Figma. When I was still at Torchlight, we faced issues maintaining and scaling up our design system in Adobe XD. However, by simply migrating into Figma, I saved the company quite a headache in terms of management and future cost. Moreover, with Figma, I could assist product managers, perform user testing and interview faster and more organized. Figma, while relatively new at the time, was such a big changer for my team.

In contrast with other competitors, Figma’s interface was simple and intuitive, just bare essentials. Since Figma simplified the design process, designers can focus on crafting the best possible user experience.

Collaboration and prototype links for Adobe XD cost around 20$ (for the lowest plan), which drove designers away to Figma free tier/education plan. When it comes to pricing, Figma was a winner. Additionally, the Adobe Creative Cloud suite is expensive, clunky, heavily bloated, and infamous for unexpectedly quitting on users. It was so inconvenient to install Creative Cloud and all of its extra bloatware, then install Adobe XD, to be able to design some mobile screens.

Figma’s reliability, and ease of access, coupled with many user-request features and community-generated content, helped onboard many designers to the UI-UX industry.

Why Adobe bought Figma?

For decades, creatives regarded Adobe as the design industry titan. Ever since entering the market, Figma has risen to become a new UI-UX industry standard. I hoped this would force Adobe to upgrade their product experience to stay relevant. However, instead of listening to users about pricing, debloating the current CC package, or removing dark patterns from their practice, Adobe decided to acquire potential tools and competitors, seemingly doing whatever it took to maintain their domination. By purchasing Figma, Adobe thus has one less major competitor in the UX/UI design space. I guess if you cannot win them, buy them.

A new age of design tools

Undeniably, Adobe will be able to deliver users the best design tool available on the market from today. While Adobe asserts that current Figma pricing will stay, they may either bundle it inside Adobe Creative Cloud service, replace Adobe XD, or even turn it into another premium program, raising the monthly fee. Whatever the case, I hope aspiring designers won’t have to deal with the notorious 14-day trial windows in Adobe product lineup.

Given they are both large cloud-based platforms, I expect faster load times, better optimization, and more openness for innovative integrations between Figma and Adobe CC. Imagining Figma supporting .eps, .ai, and .psd files. After Effects and 3D engine capabilities from Adobe CC could also be a realization. Moreover, with Figma’s principles and technology, Adobe can further streamline user experiences and may even enhance collaboration capabilities for their current product lineup. Figma could also implement a thing or two from Adobe CC offline mode.

I’m concerned since Adobe has monopolized the current design tools market with this acquisition. I hope promising alternatives will arrive in the future. It makes me wonder whether we will see a truly free alternative to the Creative Cloud suite.

The future is still up in the air

That said, I hope that designers can finally get an assistive tool that does not quit unexpectedly on them.

We — the designers — must realize that tools do not determine who we are, not Figma, yet even Adobe. Do not give up yet! Stay patient and hope for the best! Invest in your skill set, research methods, and study frameworks. With proper time, mindset, and resources, you are the agent of change — the best tool a company (even a community) can have.

Adobe acquired my favorite design tool

The weekend is over, yet I’m still recovering from the news that Figma — my favorite design tool, has been acquired by Adobe. After spending some time on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, my heart goes out to many designers in our community.

I admit that, from a product designer’s POV, $20B is a fantastic closing chapter for the Figma team. Figma has done a marvelous job of making design accessible to many people, especially in emerging markets and developing regions. Newcomers can experience, learn and hone their skills in design that would otherwise be nearly impossible. Talk about positive impact! On the other hand, the designer in me was not so happy, to be honest.

In memories of Figma

I was one of those Figma early adopters. When I discovered Figma, I quickly realized this would be the perfect partner in crime on my journey to stay Adobe-free.

Figma’s main advantage against other competitors was how their browser-based tools made collaboration better (and way more fun). Gone were the days of exchanging files back and forth between teams. The power of collaboration between developers, designers, builders, and start-up communities was immeasurable, thanks to Figma. When I was still at Torchlight, we faced issues maintaining and scaling up our design system in Adobe XD. However, by simply migrating into Figma, I saved the company quite a headache in terms of management and future cost. Moreover, with Figma, I could assist product managers, perform user testing and interview faster and more organized. Figma, while relatively new at the time, was such a big changer for my team.

In contrast with other competitors, Figma’s interface was simple and intuitive, just bare essentials. Since Figma simplified the design process, designers can focus on crafting the best possible user experience.

Collaboration and prototype links for Adobe XD cost around 20$ (for the lowest plan), which drove designers away to Figma free tier/education plan. When it comes to pricing, Figma was a winner. Additionally, the Adobe Creative Cloud suite is expensive, clunky, heavily bloated, and infamous for unexpectedly quitting on users. It was so inconvenient to install Creative Cloud and all of its extra bloatware, then install Adobe XD, to be able to design some mobile screens.

Figma’s reliability, and ease of access, coupled with many user-request features and community-generated content, helped onboard many designers to the UI-UX industry.

Why Adobe bought Figma?

For decades, creatives regarded Adobe as the design industry titan. Ever since entering the market, Figma has risen to become a new UI-UX industry standard. I hoped this would force Adobe to upgrade their product experience to stay relevant. However, instead of listening to users about pricing, debloating the current CC package, or removing dark patterns from their practice, Adobe decided to acquire potential tools and competitors, seemingly doing whatever it took to maintain their domination. By purchasing Figma, Adobe thus has one less major competitor in the UX/UI design space. I guess if you cannot win them, buy them.

A new age of design tools

Undeniably, Adobe will be able to deliver users the best design tool available on the market from today. While Adobe asserts that current Figma pricing will stay, they may either bundle it inside Adobe Creative Cloud service, replace Adobe XD, or even turn it into another premium program, raising the monthly fee. Whatever the case, I hope aspiring designers won’t have to deal with the notorious 14-day trial windows in Adobe product lineup.

Given they are both large cloud-based platforms, I expect faster load times, better optimization, and more openness for innovative integrations between Figma and Adobe CC. Imagining Figma supporting .eps, .ai, and .psd files. After Effects and 3D engine capabilities from Adobe CC could also be a realization. Moreover, with Figma’s principles and technology, Adobe can further streamline user experiences and may even enhance collaboration capabilities for their current product lineup. Figma could also implement a thing or two from Adobe CC offline mode.

I’m concerned since Adobe has monopolized the current design tools market with this acquisition. I hope promising alternatives will arrive in the future. It makes me wonder whether we will see a truly free alternative to the Creative Cloud suite.

The future is still up in the air

That said, I hope that designers can finally get an assistive tool that does not quit unexpectedly on them.

We — the designers — must realize that tools do not determine who we are, not Figma, yet even Adobe. Do not give up yet! Stay patient and hope for the best! Invest in your skill set, research methods, and study frameworks. With proper time, mindset, and resources, you are the agent of change — the best tool a company (even a community) can have.

Adobe acquired my favorite design tool

The weekend is over, yet I’m still recovering from the news that Figma — my favorite design tool, has been acquired by Adobe. After spending some time on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, my heart goes out to many designers in our community.

I admit that, from a product designer’s POV, $20B is a fantastic closing chapter for the Figma team. Figma has done a marvelous job of making design accessible to many people, especially in emerging markets and developing regions. Newcomers can experience, learn and hone their skills in design that would otherwise be nearly impossible. Talk about positive impact! On the other hand, the designer in me was not so happy, to be honest.

In memories of Figma

I was one of those Figma early adopters. When I discovered Figma, I quickly realized this would be the perfect partner in crime on my journey to stay Adobe-free.

Figma’s main advantage against other competitors was how their browser-based tools made collaboration better (and way more fun). Gone were the days of exchanging files back and forth between teams. The power of collaboration between developers, designers, builders, and start-up communities was immeasurable, thanks to Figma. When I was still at Torchlight, we faced issues maintaining and scaling up our design system in Adobe XD. However, by simply migrating into Figma, I saved the company quite a headache in terms of management and future cost. Moreover, with Figma, I could assist product managers, perform user testing and interview faster and more organized. Figma, while relatively new at the time, was such a big changer for my team.

In contrast with other competitors, Figma’s interface was simple and intuitive, just bare essentials. Since Figma simplified the design process, designers can focus on crafting the best possible user experience.

Collaboration and prototype links for Adobe XD cost around 20$ (for the lowest plan), which drove designers away to Figma free tier/education plan. When it comes to pricing, Figma was a winner. Additionally, the Adobe Creative Cloud suite is expensive, clunky, heavily bloated, and infamous for unexpectedly quitting on users. It was so inconvenient to install Creative Cloud and all of its extra bloatware, then install Adobe XD, to be able to design some mobile screens.

Figma’s reliability, and ease of access, coupled with many user-request features and community-generated content, helped onboard many designers to the UI-UX industry.

Why Adobe bought Figma?

For decades, creatives regarded Adobe as the design industry titan. Ever since entering the market, Figma has risen to become a new UI-UX industry standard. I hoped this would force Adobe to upgrade their product experience to stay relevant. However, instead of listening to users about pricing, debloating the current CC package, or removing dark patterns from their practice, Adobe decided to acquire potential tools and competitors, seemingly doing whatever it took to maintain their domination. By purchasing Figma, Adobe thus has one less major competitor in the UX/UI design space. I guess if you cannot win them, buy them.

A new age of design tools

Undeniably, Adobe will be able to deliver users the best design tool available on the market from today. While Adobe asserts that current Figma pricing will stay, they may either bundle it inside Adobe Creative Cloud service, replace Adobe XD, or even turn it into another premium program, raising the monthly fee. Whatever the case, I hope aspiring designers won’t have to deal with the notorious 14-day trial windows in Adobe product lineup.

Given they are both large cloud-based platforms, I expect faster load times, better optimization, and more openness for innovative integrations between Figma and Adobe CC. Imagining Figma supporting .eps, .ai, and .psd files. After Effects and 3D engine capabilities from Adobe CC could also be a realization. Moreover, with Figma’s principles and technology, Adobe can further streamline user experiences and may even enhance collaboration capabilities for their current product lineup. Figma could also implement a thing or two from Adobe CC offline mode.

I’m concerned since Adobe has monopolized the current design tools market with this acquisition. I hope promising alternatives will arrive in the future. It makes me wonder whether we will see a truly free alternative to the Creative Cloud suite.

The future is still up in the air

That said, I hope that designers can finally get an assistive tool that does not quit unexpectedly on them.

We — the designers — must realize that tools do not determine who we are, not Figma, yet even Adobe. Do not give up yet! Stay patient and hope for the best! Invest in your skill set, research methods, and study frameworks. With proper time, mindset, and resources, you are the agent of change — the best tool a company (even a community) can have.

Sign up for our newsletters to get notified of the best deals on our Framer templates.

Sign up for our newsletters to get notified of the best deals on our Framer templates.

© Feather 2022

© Feather 2022

© Feather 2022