Why Use Figma Instead of Photoshop for UI Design?

Introduction to Figma and Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop, developed by Adobe, has long been revered as the industry standard for graphic design, offering extensive tools for photo editing, graphic creation, and artwork. However, Figma, a "newer" player in the market, has been designed specifically to focus on UI/UX design, boasting features that cater to the modern digital product design workflow.

Reasons to use Figma over Photoshop for UI design

Let’s dive into the reasons to use Figma instead of Photoshop for UI design!

1. Real-time collaboration

Figma's cloud-based platform enables real-time collaboration across design teams. Multiple designers can work on the same file simultaneously, providing immediate feedback and making live edits, which is not feasible in Photoshop.

2. Vector-based interface design

Unlike Photoshop, which is primarily pixel-based, Figma is vector-based, making it more suitable for designing responsive interfaces that need to adapt to various screen sizes and resolutions.

3. Prototyping within the app

Figma allows designers to create interactive prototypes without exporting to another tool. This seamless transition from design to prototype simplifies the workflow and saves time compared to Photoshop, where third-party plugins or software are needed for prototyping.

4. Accessibility and platform independence

Being a web-based application, Figma can be accessed from any browser on any operating system, eliminating the need for powerful hardware and software installations required by Photoshop.

5. Version control and history

Figma keeps a record of all changes, allowing designers to revert to previous versions and understand the evolution of their designs. This feature is more robust and integrated than Photoshop's version history. However, keep in mind that members of Starter teams can only view 30 days of a file's version history. Members of Professional and Education teams or organizations can access a file's entire version history.

6. User interface and user experience focus

Figma is tailored for UI/UX design, offering features such as constraints for responsive design, auto-layout for automatic resizing, and a comprehensive set of UI elements and icon libraries. Photoshop, while versatile, is not explicitly optimized for UI/UX workflows.

7. Cost-effectiveness

Figma offers a free version with considerable functionality, making it accessible for freelancers, small teams, and those starting in UI/UX design. Photoshop requires a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, which can be more expensive, especially for users who only need UI design features.

Conclusion

While Photoshop remains a powerful photo editing and graphic design tool, Figma offers clear UI/UX design advantages. Its collaborative nature, vector-based design capabilities, and user-centric features make it a superior choice for modern digital product design. Whether you're working in a team or as an individual, Figma offers a more streamlined and efficient approach to UI design than Photoshop.