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Issue no.15: The State of Design | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)

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AI is reshaping design by blurring the boundary between code and canvas, while expanding—not eliminating—the need for designers. Figma’s research suggests designers are adapting to new expectations by strengthening both AI-related capabilities and enduring creative fundamentals. The future favors people who can move fluidly across tools, teams, and stages of product development.

AI’s impact on design work

  • 91% of surveyed designers say AI tools are helping them improve their work.
  • “Better design” means different things to different designers, including:
    • Visual polish
    • More thoughtful problem-solving
    • More intuitive user experiences
  • These differing priorities influence how designers understand and experience their jobs.
  • Design is increasingly defined by outcomes and problem-solving rather than by a single medium.

Design hiring remains strong

  • AI is not reducing demand for designers according to Figma’s research.
  • 82% of surveyed hiring managers say their need for designers has either remained stable or increased.
  • Demand is growing beyond technology companies.
  • Organizations are seeking designers who can help translate new AI capabilities into useful products and experiences.

Skills for the AI era

  • Designers are exploring emerging practices such as:
    • Prompting
    • MCP-related workflows
    • Connecting AI tools and processes
    • Translating between design, engineering, product, and other teams
  • AI-specific skills complement rather than replace foundational design abilities.
  • Communication, judgment, craft, and the ability to understand user and business needs remain essential.
  • The strongest designers are likely to combine technical fluency with human-centered thinking.

Product teams are prototyping earlier

  • Product managers are using Figma Make to explore ideas and build conviction more quickly.
  • Teams at ServiceNow, Ticketmaster, and Affirm use prototypes to:
    • Communicate complex product behaviors
    • Test and develop ideas
    • Make better roadmap decisions
  • Prototyping is becoming accessible beyond traditional design roles.

Code and canvas converge

  • Ideas can begin in code, visual design, or anywhere in between.
  • Figma presents the future of design as a continuous movement between code and canvas.
  • This shift makes designers less defined by their tools and more by their ability to shape ideas across mediums.

Designers should treat AI as an extension of their creative and problem-solving toolkit, while continuing to develop core design judgment, communication, and craft. The most valuable practitioners will be those who can connect AI-enabled workflows with strong product thinking and cross-functional collaboration.