Figma | Collaborate from Anywhere | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Figma, a design collaboration tool, has experienced tremendous growth and is changing the way designers work and collaborate remotely.

Key Insights

• 🥺 Figma has experienced significant growth and success, becoming a leading tool for collaborative design in a remote work environment.
• 😒 The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of remote collaboration tools, driving increased usage and exploration of different use cases for Figma.
• 💦 Figma is adapting to the challenges of remote work by experimenting with new methods to ensure effective collaboration and communication.
• 💪 The company is planning a hybrid model for the future, allowing employees to choose between remote work and office-based work while maintaining strong collaboration and culture.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did Figma evolve from its initial focus on webgl to become a collaborative design platform?

Figma started with a focus on webgl experimentation and then realized the potential for remaking creative tools in the browser. Through iterations and insights, Figma narrowed its focus to interface design and realized the importance of collaboration in the design process.

Q: What are some unexpected use cases of Figma beyond interface design?

Figma has seen an explosion in diverse use cases, including circuit design, robotics projects, and interior architecture. People are exploring various ways to use Figma, and the company is working on developing new products to cater to these use cases.

Q: How has Figma adapted to the shift towards remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Figma quickly transitioned to remote work and shut down its office before it became necessary. The company has been experimenting with different methods to ensure collaboration and enhance productivity in a remote setting.

Q: How is Figma approaching the hybrid model for the future of work?

Figma is considering a hybrid model, where employees can choose to work remotely or in the office. The company is focused on maintaining collaboration and culture while ensuring predictability and flexibility for its workforce.

Summary

In this episode of the Grey Matter podcast, Sarah Guo interviews Dylan Field, the co-founder and CEO of Figma. They discuss the founding story of Figma, the evolution of the company, the impact of COVID-19 on remote work, and future plans for Figma.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can you introduce yourself and the founding story of Figma?

I am Dylan Field, the CEO and co-founder of Figma. I started Figma with Evan in August 2012 after realizing the potential of webgl and its ability to enhance creative tools and collaboration. We initially focused on making creative tools more accessible and collaborative, and eventually narrowed down to interface design as software became more significant in the digital world. We also saw the growing importance of design and the need for online collaboration in the design process.

Q: How has Figma's journey been so far?

Figma has come a long way since its founding. We now have around 215 employees and are used by both individuals and some of the biggest companies in the world. We have also launched a worldwide design community, which is still in its beta phase. It's been an exciting journey, and I feel fortunate to work with such a talented team and have great investors like Greylock.

Q: How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact Figma's work culture?

The pandemic caused us to shift to remote work. Initially, we were not used to remote work, as we had a work-from-office culture. However, we quickly realized the need to shut down our office and prioritize the safety of our employees. As we were scaling rapidly, maintaining our culture and collaboration became a challenge. We had to find new ways to communicate effectively and ensure that our culture persisted in a remote work setup.

Q: How are you replacing in-person meetings with remote work?

We are experimenting with different methods to replace in-person meetings. One approach is to encourage clear decision ownership and pre-work before meetings to make the most out of synchronous collaboration. We are also exploring new hires' onboarding processes, such as virtual breakfast meetings, to establish connections. However, we acknowledge that we are still learning and have more work to do in maintaining collaboration and culture remotely.

Q: What are some unexpected use cases of Figma?

We have seen an explosion of use cases for Figma that go beyond interface design. People are spending more time in Figma, and usage has significantly increased since the start of the pandemic. We have seen users using Figma for circuit design, robotics projects, interior architecture, and more. This expansion of use cases motivates us to develop new products that cater to these diverse needs.

Q: How do you plan to sustain Figma's growth and adapt to the new normal?

Our plan is to move towards a hybrid work model. We have conducted surveys to gather employees' preferences and opinions. Based on the data, we aim to offer a hybrid model that combines remote and in-person work. We encourage employees to come to the office two days a week, while also allowing remote work. Opening up more remote roles and locations while ensuring sufficient team collaboration and predictability are also part of our plans.

Q: What advice do you have for early and mid-stage entrepreneurs navigating these uncertain times?

It is essential to be open, empathetic, and understanding with your team. Many people are going through challenges, and knowing their context and showing empathy can go a long way. Additionally, forecasting and planning for different scenarios is crucial. Building a forecasting model and regularly reviewing inputs and variables will help navigate uncertainties. Seek experts in forecasting if needed.

Q: Is there any content or book you would recommend?

I recommend exploring science fiction books, especially those by Neil Stephenson. These books can be inspiring and provide a much-needed escape during uncertain times.

Q: Is there anyone at Figma who has stepped up during this period?

Marie, our head of people, has been instrumental during this time. She has been dedicated and supportive in navigating the challenges of remote work and ensuring the well-being of our employees.

Q: Have you discovered anything new about yourself or your team during this period?

One discovery I made is my appreciation for having a physical bookshelf. It brings me joy to have books around and the visual presence of knowledge. It's a small thing but makes a difference in my daily life.

Takeaways

The COVID-19 pandemic forced Figma to shift to remote work, and they had to find new ways to maintain collaboration and culture. They are experimenting with different methods such as clear decision ownership, pre-work before meetings, and virtual onboarding. Figma has seen an increase in usage and diverse use cases beyond interface design. They plan to adopt a hybrid work model, allowing remote and in-person work, and are focused on sustaining growth and adapting to the new normal. It is important for entrepreneurs to be open, empathetic, and proactive in forecasting and planning for different scenarios. Science fiction books can serve as an inspiring escape during uncertain times. Marie, the head of people at Figma, has been instrumental in navigating the challenges of remote work. Finally, Dylan's personal discovery during this time was the joy of having a physical bookshelf.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Dylan Field, the co-founder and CEO of Figma, discusses the founding story of the company, which started with a focus on webgl and evolved into a platform for collaborative design.

• Figma has seen immense success and growth, with around 215 employees and a user base that includes both individuals and big companies.

• The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the need for remote collaboration tools, and Figma has experienced increased usage and expansion into areas beyond interface design.