1

Ask DN: Anyone use Figma or XD for client work?

over 4 years ago from , Design by Marcus

I'm using Sketch at the moment and I'm generally happy with it. I plan to buy a Windows gaming laptop in the near future and I think it would more efficient just to use the Windows laptop for everything rather than having 2 devices.

I'm a freelancer so I work with individual clients and the odd agency here and there. For the those of you that have switched over, have you had any problems with the lack of sketch files in terms of deliverables?

Also are there any advantages/disadvantages you've noticed using Figma/XD over Sketch?

Thanks, Marcus

12 comments

  • John Meguerian, over 4 years ago

    I used Figma on my last large client project with a team of ~6 designers and devs. It was an absolute lifesaver in terms of version control and handoff.

    To Kamushken's point, we didn't share the live link with the clients. We used prototype mode in the room for presentations but left behind quick decks of exported PNGs.

    2 points
    • Marcus H, over 4 years ago

      This is good, so the prototype feature is just like Marvel/Invision and they can only see the designs and nothing else? Has the hand-off gone over well, I mostly use Zeplin and IMO it's the best there is right now.

      0 points
  • Dino ParavandisDino Paravandis, over 4 years ago

    We are a team of 7 designers using Figma for full time work for more than a year. Its been a life saver. Frontend folk like it as well. There are only advantages in my book and the only disadvantage is convincing older designers to switch tools that they are used to although it works very similarly to sketch. Sometimes I feel like I am a salesman for Figma - its that good.

    1 point
    • Marcus H, over 4 years ago

      Are you and the other designers working in-house on a product? Figma seems great for that but clients and agencies tend to ask for specific file formats and that's the only thing I worry about.

      0 points
      • Dino ParavandisDino Paravandis, over 4 years ago

        Both. Figma has dev handoff which allows the developer to get exactly what they need similar to avocode or zepelin. Unlike those tools, the developer can be assured they are getting the latest design.

        0 points
  • Johan Ronsse, over 4 years ago

    I just went through my calendar to see when I exactly switched to Figma full-time - I've been using Figma to do design work for clients for over 8 months now. This is in a 6 person agency.

    I've never had problems with deliverables, and the feature set is pretty complete.

    1 point
    • Marcus H, over 4 years ago

      This is great to hear. Have you ever had to turn down a client because they wanted specific deliverables? Do clients generally know what Figma is or do you need to explain your process a little bit?

      How the is hand-off, comparable to Zeplin? (which imo is the best)

      0 points
      • Johan Ronsse, over 4 years ago

        Figma integrates with Zeplin so if you want to keep using Zeplin you can do so.

        In my experience clients just love Figma. Here's a few examples (just from the past 8 months):

        • Client 1 starting to use Figma themselves to continue some design work after the project. This person was an industrial engineer, not a designer, running a startup. I thought that was really cool.
        • Client 2: same - a developer at this client decided to fill in some missing gaps after our design project. (In a later project we did have to clean up some of their work ;))
        • Client 3 asking us to move Sketch designs to Figma so their devs can see/inspect the designs on Windows
        • Client 4 making analysis mockups in Figma, started the process to get Figma going in their large organisation. Became a big Figma fan. Asked us to share the design system/components for broader adoption in their org.

        I've never seen adoption like this happen with any design app before.

        1 point
        • Marcus H, over 4 years ago

          This is exactly what I wanted to hear. I'll transition slowly into it and eventually sell my Macbook and get a Windows laptop!

          0 points
  • John PJohn P, over 4 years ago

    I use XD when collaborating with designers who use Windows (I use both), overall had a decent experience and obviously you get good integration with the rest of Adobe.

    If I wasn't already paying for Creative Cloud I'd probably sway towards Figma though.

    0 points
    • Marcus H, over 4 years ago

      I had a quick look at XD via some videos and came away impressed. Figma is definitely in the lead for me and seems like the more mature product. I had a play around with Figma yesterday and I like, the transition from Sketch would be pretty smooth imo.

      0 points