Figma, the popular graphics making tool, is used by companies in a variety of industries to develop high-quality graphics. With so many users, Figma is one of the best known and used vector graphics apps. However, it can still be time-consuming to complete projects with it. There are plugins that can make routine processes much easier and faster. In this article, we discuss how you can use Figma plugins to speed up workflows.
What is Figma and Why is it Important?
Figma is a cloud-based vector graphics editing platform that lets multiple users work on a design project simultaneously. Like other cloud-based systems, it is designed to help users collaborate more effectively. Figma can be used to develop products, graphics, and other assets needed for marketing and growing a business.
Companies turn to Figma to help teams change how they develop digital assets. For example, creating marketing materials can be difficult using a traditional development approach. Figma eliminates many of the old problems, like having to share updated copies of files for others to be able to do work. Instead, Figma leverages modern technology to allow collaboration in new ways and giving everyone access to better graphics design software. With this in mind, it is easy to see just how important Figma is to design teams that need to maintain high-quality standards and tight schedules.
When To Use Plugins
Plugins are pieces of software that are made to integrate into a larger program like Figma. In essence, a plugin is a piece of programming that gives the program new functionality. Plugins could be made to change how a program works or could be made to automate a lengthy process to make it shorter and easier to manage. Whichever is the case, plugins can be useful tools for changing and improving your workflow.
The key to using plugins is to figure out what problems are slowing down your workflow. If it is a common problem, there is a good chance that someone already created a plugin to address it. Look for pain points, repetitive tasks that can be automated, or areas where there is not an easy tool for what you need to do. Applying a plugin for those areas can lead to improvements in your workflow.
You can also use a plugin when you need to do a cluster of actions at the same time. This often becomes a problem when you need to manipulate multiple things at the same time. The plugin will take advantage of the computer’s ability to perform tasks in rapid succession to fix whatever problem that you have quickly.
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Types of Plugins
There are several types of plugins that you should look for when trying to fix your workflow. The type of plugin that you need depends on the type of problem that you are having. Some of the most common options include:
Manipulating Multiple Elements at the Same Time
These plugins are designed to apply changes to several elements within a design at the same time. This is useful when you need to shift elements around to try new formats or make the same change to multiple elements using a repetitive and time-consuming process. There are several popular options already on the market.
Similayer is one of the leading choices. It lets you target multiple layers with similar elements at the same time. That way, you can make adjustments to several layers and change a segment of the image while maintaining the correlation between those elements. Another popular option is Change Text, which works the same way as the text tool in text editors. It lets you search for and change text anywhere in the project. It is useful for updating and changing text on the go. Both options are effective at helping you finish projects faster.
Filling Space
Every project inevitably needs dummy text to fill space while waiting for the real text to be inserted. Lorem Ipsum is widely used for this and has a history in the printing industry. It was one of the first things printed on the printing press and designers still use it to mark space. You can use the Lorem Ipsum plugin to generate enough content to fill open spaces until you have content written for your site. It is faster than writing your own content, looks professional, and shortens the process of creating dummy content for the website.
Work with an App Developer
If you have an idea for a plugin or you need a plugin for a special project, we can help. At KitelyTech, we work with companies to manage their software development as well as help them create workflows with the right software choices. Give us a call at (800) 274 2908 for help with streamlining your workflow through app plugins.
