Whilst Figma has been around for years, I saw design teams fall in love with it and ditch Sketch in droves during COVID. Long story short, the UI always felt more intuitive to me but the browser based collaboration was a game changer.
Whether you’re tired of it or not, AI seems to attach itself to all and sundry at the moment. Without an ‘AI’ offering is your product relevant? Well Figma dropped some interesting features last year with a mixed reception that introduced some AI tools designed to increase productivity.
So what did Figma introduce and how? Their https://www.figma.com/ai/ page is pretty transparent – they’re augmenting their software primarily with third party integrations…but are they useful or a curse for designers?
1. First Draft – AI-Generated Layouts
Originally launched as “Make Designs” in June 2024, First Draft is one of Figma’s most ambitious AI features. It allows designers to generate app layouts using generative AI, selecting from various libraries, ranging from wireframes to fully designed components.
However, the feature was swiftly retracted after its initial launch due to controversy—some of its AI-generated layouts were too similar to existing designs, most notably Apple’s iPhone weather app. Following improvements and additional safeguards, Figma reintroduced it as First Draft in September 2024.
Figma has clarified that First Draft does not train on user data but instead uses external AI models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Amazon Titan, to generate layouts based on user inputs.
2. Visual Search – Finding Design Elements Faster
Instead of manually sifting through files, designers can now upload an image or select a canvas area and let AI scan their design files to find similar elements. This significantly accelerates workflows by eliminating the need to recall exact file names.
3. AI-Powered Asset Search
Figma’s AI can interpret the intent behind search queries rather than relying on exact keywords. This means if a designer searches for a “modern navigation bar”, AI will retrieve relevant assets even if the file is named something entirely different.
4. AI-Generated Content & Copywriting
Figma can now generate placeholder text and even suggest relevant content for UI designs. This is particularly useful for UX writers and designers working on early-stage prototypes.
5. Instant Background Removal
Previously, designers had to rely on tools like Photoshop to remove backgrounds from images. Now, with one click, Figma’s AI can extract objects and remove backgrounds without needing external software.
- Auto Layer Renaming
Figma’s Auto Layer Renaming feature streamlines the design workflow by automatically assigning descriptive names to layers based on their content and function. This enhancement addresses the often time-consuming task of manually naming layers, promoting better organisation and collaboration within design projects.
How It Works
The AI analyses each layer’s attributes—such as shape, size, colour, and position—to determine its role within the design. For instance, a rectangular layer with a specific gradient and dimensions might be identified as a “Button/Primary,” while a text layer with larger font size could be labelled “Header/Text.” By interpreting these characteristics, the system assigns intuitive names that reflect the layer’s purpose, making it easier for designers and developers to navigate complex files.
Thoughts
The design community is divided on Figma’s AI features. While some praise its efficiency, others question whether AI-generated designs compromise creativity and originality. For me the search tools are helpful but auto creation of generic products could waste time. In most instances you’ll end up having to build your own – fleshing out basic wires in Figma is fast enough.
🚨 Criticism of AI in Figma
Raff Di Meo, a prominent designer, warns against an over-reliance on AI-generated designs, arguing that while AI can quickly visualise concepts, it lacks the nuanced decision-making that human designers bring. He fears that an overuse of AI will lead to generic and uninspired designs. (Source: Raff Di Meo)
🔧 The Practical Benefits
Conversely, some professionals see AI as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for creativity – this harks back to how I view AI in general, as ‘Augmented Intelligence’. A Reddit discussion among UX designers highlights how AI removes tedious tasks, allowing designers to focus on strategy, user experience, and aesthetics. (Source: Reddit)
The Technical Side: How Does Figma’s AI Work?
Figma’s AI features rely on large language models (LLMs) and machine learning algorithms to analyse prompts, retrieve relevant design assets, and generate layouts. Key technologies include:
• Generative AI (First Draft) → Uses OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Amazon Titan to interpret design requests and generate UI layouts.
• Computer Vision (Visual Search) → AI scans existing designs and detects similar elements based on structure, colour, and hierarchy.
• Natural Language Processing (AI Search & Content Generation) → Figma’s AI understands and interprets semantic meaning behind searches to retrieve relevant assets.
AI in general for Product Designers
AI in Figma works well because it saves time. It will most certainly not deliver awe inspiring finished product designs but it allows designers to smash through laborious tasks in ways they might have been frustrated before. This in turn should enhance creativity, faster delivery to users and testing.
However, as I always say, AI outputs need the oversight of seasoned pros!
✅ Pros of AI in Figma:
✔️ Faster workflows – Automates repetitive tasks
✔️ More efficient collaboration – AI helps teams iterate quickly
✔️ Democratises design – Reduces technical barriers for non-designers
❌ Cons of AI in Figma:
❌ Risk of generic designs – Over-reliance may result in uninspired layouts
❌ Less skill development – AI might replace fundamental design thinking
❌ Ethical concerns – Questions remain about AI-generated originality