The Right Jams for Your Jam | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)
Music in FigJam was designed to help remote teams share momentum without becoming a distraction. Figma drew on the psychological effects of musical “entrainment,” using rhythm and atmosphere to support collaboration, timed work sessions, and periods of focused silence. The resulting challenge was to create music that felt inclusive, varied, and useful across different teams and working styles. ## Music as a Collaborative Tool - Fast-paced sounds can influence people to move and work faster, potentially increasing focus or stress. - In remote collaboration, shared music can create a sense of collective flow and help teams feel “on the same page.” - The wrong music can disrupt concentration or become a blocker, making musical choice especially important in a diverse group. - Figma partnered with Sounds Like These to develop a sound portfolio suited to collaborative work. ## From Jam Sessions to Timed Work - The concept came partly from the familiar practice of playing music while working together. - It also addressed a practical FigJam problem: silent timers create an abrupt contrast between lively discussion and quiet, heads-down work. - During Figma’s Maker Week, engineer Chris Brainerd created an interactive music sequencer that could function as an alternative to a conventional timer. - The prototype revealed a broader opportunity: music could fill awkward pauses and sustain momentum rather than merely signal the end of a timed exercise. ## Designing Music That Stays in the Background - Music in a group setting needed to be: - Inclusive but not bland - Attention-supporting but not attention-grabbing - Diverse while still feeling connected - Suitable for unpredictable design and brainstorming sessions - Because music is personal and emotional, recognizable artists or songs could excite some users while alienating others. - The composers’ goal was the opposite of conventional advertising or entertainment music: create a comfortable “audio area” that supports thought without pulling focus away from the work. ## The Tradition of Functional Background Music - Figma’s approach connects to the older tradition of “functional,” “furniture,” or “elevator” music—sound that is intentional and present but not demanding. - French composer Erik Satie’s early-20th-century “furniture music” provided a historical model for music designed to accompany activities rather than command attention. - Satie’s work, including *Vexations*, later influenced minimalist and conceptual music. - This tradition suggests that effective background music should accommodate different levels of attention and remain easy to ignore when necessary. Ultimately, FigJam’s music was conceived less as entertainment than as a collaborative workspace tool. The best tracks create atmosphere, smooth transitions, and shared energy while allowing teams to decide how much attention the music deserves.