Why Every Artist Should Try Figma
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, artists are continually seeking tools that not only enhance their creativity but also streamline their workflow. One such tool that has been gaining popularity among artists is Figma. Originally designed for UI/UX designers, Figma has proven to be a versatile platform that offers numerous advantages for artists and creatives of all kinds. In this article, we'll explore 7 reasons why every artist should try Figma for their creative endeavors.
Dislaimer: This blog contains some affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Our team uses Figma A LOT whether it's to design our website or create graphics you'll find across our YouTube and social media. Keep reading to see why we love this tool!
Jump ahead:
1. Collaborative Artistic Expression
Art doesn't have to be a solitary pursuit. Figma's collaborative features redefine artistic collaboration by providing a shared canvas accessible to multiple users in real-time – kind of like Adobe Illustrator meets Google Docs. This means that artists can seamlessly work together, breaking down geographical barriers and fostering a sense of collective creativity. Whether you're collaborating with fellow artists or seeking input from clients, Figma facilitates a seamless exchange of ideas, making the creative process more dynamic and interactive.
Creative Collaboration in Real Time
Figma's real-time collaboration allows artists to witness changes made by collaborators instantly. This eliminates the need for lengthy back-and-forth communication, providing a dynamic and interactive environment where ideas can evolve in real-time. It even has a super neat and satisfying feature where you can digitally wave to a fellow collaborator!
Global Team Collaboration
With Figma, geographical constraints are a thing of the past. Artists from different parts of the world can collaborate effortlessly, bringing diverse perspectives and styles into a single project. This global collaboration opens up new possibilities and enriches the creative process.
Commenting on Specific Areas
Figma takes collaboration a step further with the ability to comment on specific areas of the canvas. Artists can provide feedback, suggestions, or insights directly on the artwork. This feature enhances communication by ensuring that feedback is contextual, allowing for precise and targeted improvements.
Streamlined Feedback Loop
The commenting feature streamlines the feedback loop, making communication more efficient. Artists can address feedback directly on the canvas, reducing the risk of misinterpretation and ensuring that everyone involved in the project is on the same page.
2. Versatile Canvas for Visual Storytelling
Figma provides a flexible canvas that accommodates various artistic styles and forms of visual storytelling. Whether you're into illustration, graphic design, or concept art, Figma's canvas adapts to your needs. The infinite canvas size ensures that your creativity isn't confined, allowing you to explore and express without limitations. Here are some examples of how artists can use Figma for visual storytelling:
Concept Art Exploration
Use Figma's infinite canvas to explore different concepts for characters, environments, or entire worlds. Experiment with simple shapes, colors, and compositions to bring your imaginative ideas to life.
Graphic Novel Layouts
Designing a graphic novel involves careful consideration of layout and sequencing. Figma's canvas allows you to arrange panels, experiment with pacing, and visualize the flow of your narrative in a digital space. Text is very easily added and manipulated in Figma, and the formatting options are very robust, comparable to Adobe Illustrator.
Interactive Comics
Take advantage of Figma's prototyping features to create interactive comics. Add links, transitions, and animations to immerse your audience in a unique storytelling experience that goes beyond traditional static images. Using Figma’s shape and vector tools, artists can easily design dynamic frames for their comics and insert their illustrations directly into them.
Storyboarding for Animation
Artists working in animation can utilize Figma's canvas to storyboard scenes. Plan camera angles, character movements, and transitions seamlessly, ensuring a cohesive vision before diving into the animation process. You can then share your storyboard with other collaborators, like an art director, who can add comments or edit your drawings – depending on the type of access they have on the file (editor, commenter, or viewer).
Dynamic Infographics
Infographics can become dynamic narratives with Figma. You can tell a story with data by incorporating illustrations, icons, and text in a visually engaging way. The canvas's adaptability allows for the creation of complex and informative visual narratives.
Moodboards (with FigJam)
Mood boards are an easy way to start gathering research and inspiration to guide your concept art and character designs! Every year, I encourage my art students to create a mood board that represents their preferred styles, interests and trends. Figma has special files called FigJams that are designed for collaborative planning and teams. You can drag and drop your favourite images onto a canvas and organize them by size / hierarchy in a snap. The file is then saved automatically in your account, and you can download the canvas and edit whenever you like, all on your browser! Get FigJam’s free moodboard template and create your own.
Figma's versatile canvas empowers artists to push the boundaries of traditional visual storytelling, offering a digital space where creativity knows no limits.
3. Illustration with Vectors: Precision and Scalability
For artists, precision is paramount, and Figma's vector-based approach to illustration offers just that. You can create intricate designs with precision, and enjoy the added benefit of scalability. Whether you're working on a small icon or a large mural, vectors ensure that your artwork maintains its quality and clarity at any size.
4. Version Control for Iterative Creativity
Art is an iterative process, and Figma's version control features are a game-changer for artists. Save different versions of your work, experiment with various elements, and easily revert to previous iterations if needed. This capability empowers artists to take risks, knowing that they can always revisit and refine their creations.
5. Accessible Anytime, Anywhere
Artistic inspiration can strike at any moment, and Figma's cloud-based platform ensures that you can access your work from any device with an internet connection. Whether you're at home, in a coffee shop, or traveling, Figma enables you to continue your artistic journey without being tied to a specific location as everything is browser-based, and also viewable on your mobile device.
6. Prototyping for Dynamic Artworks
Figma's prototyping features aren't just for UI/UX designers. Artists can leverage these tools to add dynamism to their creations, making the viewer's experience more engaging and interactive. Figma's prototyping features empower artists to infuse their creations with interactivity, opening new avenues for self-expression and audience engagement. Here are some examples of what you can do using the platform:
Interactive Art Exhibitions
Transform your digital artwork into an interactive exhibition. Use Figma's prototyping to create clickable hotspots that provide additional information about specific elements in your artwork. This adds a layer of interactivity, allowing viewers to explore and engage with your art in a unique way.
Animated Illustrations
Take your static illustrations to the next level by incorporating subtle animations. Use Figma's prototyping to add movement to characters, objects, or background elements. The result is an animated illustration that captures attention and conveys a story in a more dynamic fashion. Figma also has a wide array of plug-ins that empower artists to breathe life into their creations, adding movement and captivating animations to illustrations and designs.
Multilayered Storytelling
Create a multilayered storytelling experience with Figma's prototyping capabilities. Design scenes with different states and transitions, allowing viewers to navigate through various aspects of the narrative. This is particularly effective for artists looking to convey complex stories or themes in a visually compelling manner.
Portfolio Showcase with Transitions
Showcase your portfolio with style by using Figma's prototyping to create smooth transitions between different pieces of artwork. Impress potential clients or collaborators with a seamlessly connected visual journey through your diverse artistic expressions.
Collaborative Art Installations
Collaborate with other artists to build immersive digital art installations. Figma's prototyping allows you to connect individual artworks, creating a cohesive and interactive experience. This can be especially impactful for virtual exhibitions or collaborative projects that aim to push the boundaries of traditional art displays.
7. Figma Plug-ins for Animation Magic
Illustrators, graphic designers and animators can unlock the potential of animation in their artwork with Figma's wide array of plug-ins. These plug-ins empower artists to breathe life into their creations, adding movement and captivating animations to illustrations and designs. Explore a library of plug-ins that cater to various animation styles and techniques, making Figma a one-stop platform for both static and dynamic artistic expressions.
Why Figma is a Super Tool for Creatives
In the digital age, artists need tools that empower their creativity and adapt to their evolving needs. Figma stands out as a comprehensive platform that provides artists with collaborative features, a versatile canvas, vector-based illustration, version control, accessibility, and robust animation plug-ins. Above all else, it’s FREE to use!
Winged Canvas uses Figma for a wide variety of things – from flow charts to graphics (like our YouTube thumbnails) to custom emotes and animated avatars!
Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting your creative journey, trying Figma can open up new possibilities and redefine how you approach your art.
The Figma Professional plan gives you access to unlimited files, projects, and version history, plus many more features including audio conversations and advanced sharing permissions which are useful if you're brainstorming or creating in a team.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to enhance your artistic process! Try Figma for free, and discover a new realm of creative possibilities!
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