live-captions

2 posts

figma

What’s new in Figma: September 2021 | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)

Figma’s September 2021 updates focus on making remote collaboration feel more natural and interactive. New audio, cursor chat, and high-fives let teams communicate and react without leaving Figma or FigJam. The release also adds workflow improvements for importing data, exporting visuals, editing text, and pasting assets more precisely. ## Audio Collaboration in Figma and FigJam - Users can start audio conversations directly inside a file. - Audio supports quick questions, spontaneous collaboration, working sessions, and presentations. - Figma planned to introduce beta live captions for audio in the desktop app. ## Cursor Chat and High-Fives - Cursor chat lets collaborators ask questions or send encouragement without interrupting a speaker. - FigJam high-fives provide a lightweight way to celebrate progress or conclude a meeting. - These features are designed to restore the informal reactions and social cues often missing from remote work. ## Spreadsheet Import and Export - Spreadsheet cells can be copied into FigJam and converted into sticky notes. - Selected sticky notes can be exported as a CSV file. - This is especially useful for user research and organizing feedback. ## Exporting FigJam Diagrams - Users can export selected objects or an entire FigJam file. - Available formats include PNG, PDF, and JPG. - Exported diagrams can be reused in presentations, emails, and other documents. ## Text and Layout Improvements - Line spacing for bulleted and numbered lists can be adjusted through the type details panel. - FigJam text boxes, sticky notes, and shapes can contain multiple text sizes within the same object. ## More Precise Pasting - **Paste here** places copied content at a chosen location using the right-click menu. - **Paste to replace** swaps a selected object with copied content using `Shift` plus `⌘ + V` or `Ctrl + V`. - **Multi-paste** places the same copied object in the same position across multiple selected frames or groups. Together, these updates make Figma and FigJam better suited to collaborative remote work while reducing friction in common design and workshop tasks.

figma

Talk it out in Figma and FigJam | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)

Figma introduced audio and cursor chat to make remote collaboration feel more like working together in person. These tools let teammates communicate directly inside Figma and FigJam without switching apps, while FigJam also adds high-fives for lightweight social interaction. The goal is to support both spontaneous conversations and structured, synchronous work without replacing asynchronous workflows. ## In-File Communication - Audio and cursor chat keep questions, feedback, and discussions within the shared file. - Users can: - Add a question or message to their cursor. - Start an audio conversation with teammates. - Share feedback in real time while viewing the same design or board. - The features are designed to be fast and low-friction, without downloads, phone calls, or calendar invitations. ## Recreating In-Person Collaboration - Figma aims to restore informal interactions lost in remote work, such as: - Asking a quick question at a colleague’s desk. - Brainstorming spontaneously. - Requesting feedback during a design review. - Teammates can encounter one another in a file and start a conversation directly from there. ## Lightweight Jam Sessions - Audio and cursor chat can replace a video meeting when video is unnecessary. - Teams can brainstorm in FigJam while using: - Templates to structure activities. - Timers to keep sessions focused. - Audio for live discussion. - These tools are intended to complement, not replace, asynchronous collaboration. ## Availability and Future Features - Cursor chat is available to everyone in Figma and FigJam. - FigJam users can send high-fives. - Audio was rolling out to Figma education and paid plans. - Live captions for the Figma desktop app were planned for open beta, enabling more accessible conversations and further product improvements. Figma’s recommendation is to use in-file communication for quick questions, spontaneous syncs, and focused workshops, while continuing to rely on asynchronous workflows when teammates need independent time to work.