Figma is a collaborative user interface design tool. It is browser-based, allowing team members to work together directly on the same design. Once you’ve decided to learn Figma, the next important question is deciding how it is you plan to learn these skills. Most students find that they learn better when they receive guided training and there is no shortage of available options for students to receive guidance in their Figma training. To learn more about the different Figma training options, and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is Figma?

Figma is a user interface design tool. Designers work on shared documents to build interactive webpage prototypes. Then, users can test these prototypes to ensure the designs meet all requirements. This makes Figma ideal for building complex and accessible webpages. 

Figma is also a vector graphics design tool, meaning all designs produced are resizable and replicable. This is important for optimizing layouts across devices and platforms. Since Figma prides itself on its collaborative community, there are many readily available plug-ins, templates, and widgets that make designing interfaces easier. 

Read more about what Figma is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Figma Skills?

Figma lets users collaborate in real-time to build user interfaces. Using vector graphics design tools, teams create wireframe layouts that can be optimized across devices. They can add interactive elements such as scrolling and hovering functionalities to their designs, so their webpages look and feel modern. Figma lets designers produce working prototypes that users can test and give feedback on.

In addition, because Figma is such a potent collaboration tool, there is a massive community of designers and developers constantly creating new plug-ins, templates, and widgets for public consumption. Every day, new Figma resources are being developed.

Why Training Format Matters

The format of your training is important because it will determine how your learning proceeds. Your training format needs to be a good fit for your schedule and your learning style. Today, there are many possible options for Figma training formats. 

Types of Training Formats

Available training formats include in-person, live online, and on-demand. In-person and live online instruction takes place in real-time, while on-demand can be pursued on your own schedule.

Live In-Person Classes

If you tend to gain energy from social interaction, studying Figma in-person might be the right choice for you. For some students, bonding with a teacher and some classmates can serve as a motivating force. Plus, in-person study provides great opportunities for networking. Taking an in-person course at a tech school also often allows you access to up-to-date equipment and industry-standard software.

However, in-person classes do have the disadvantage of a commute, which can be difficult to fit into your day. The need to attend in real-time can also be difficult for those with busy schedules. Students who find social interaction tiring may not thrive in in-person classroom environments. Some people also focus better when studying at home.

Live Online Classes

If the area you live in doesn’t provide options for in-person Figma classes, live online training might be a good option for you. Being too busy to commute to classes is another great reason to choose live online. Also, some students find the social aspect of in-person training distracting. They discover that learning from home helps them focus better instead.

On the other hand, for other students, the limited social interaction that online courses offer may make them less stimulating. If so, in-person courses may be a better fit for them. Another issue with studying online but in real-time is that a technical issue could get in the way of your work. If your internet connection is interrupted or your computer crashes, you could lose valuable instructional time (many schools, including Noble Desktop, offer access to recordings of live instruction after the fact.)

On-Demand Classes

If you want to make an investment in your studies but are looking for a budget option, on-demand study could be right for you. It’s good for learning the basics before you plunge into a deeper study of Figma. Those who are especially busy may also benefit from on-demand training because it makes it possible for them to fit their studies into that busy schedule more easily. There are some high-quality materials available on-demand. 

However, the drawback of on-demand learning is the lack of real-time access to an expert instructor. Without the guidance and feedback of someone with deep experience in Figma, you may have a harder time growing your skills. It’s also possible that you could get stuck on a particular issue and not be able to find an answer to your question, which could hinder you from learning other skills that build on your ability to do the thing you’re having trouble with. You may get around these issues in time, but you’ll learn faster with live instruction.

Free Courses

As you read about learning Figma, you may be thinking that this tool sounds intriguing, but you’re not yet ready to invest financially in studying the skill. If so, you might want to get an overview of Figma first. Free online materials can usually get you to that point. Noble Desktop has a free Figma video tutorial you can check out to learn more about it. There are also free courses available through Udemy, DesignLab, and the Figma company itself.

Depth of Training Formats

When you’re ready to start studying Figma, you’ll have a few different options for the type of program you can pursue: certificate programs, training bootcamps, and introductory courses. These overlap with but are distinct from delivery formats like in-person, live online, or on-demand.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are extended training programs of at least a few weeks. They are designed to prepare you for a career by giving you a comprehensive set of skills that you can apply to your future work. Instead of learning just one tool, you’ll be introduced to a suite of tools that people in your desired career need to be familiar with. And you will have the opportunity to practice those tools and discover their full potential under the guidance of an expert instructor.

For example, in Noble Desktop’s UX & UI Design Certificate program, an aspiring Designer would learn Figma, but much more than just Figma. They would also learn design concepts, user research and testing, and how to create case studies and portfolios to present their work. That way, the certificate program can prepare them for all aspects of their desired career. Certificate programs usually carry a tuition of at least a few thousand dollars, commensurate with the deeper and longer-term instruction they offer.

Training Bootcamps

In contrast to certificate programs, training bootcamps typically teach one skill. You can pursue a Figma bootcamp program that focuses exclusively on this particular tool. Bootcamps can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on how in-depth they go. 

In keeping with this, they are typically more affordable than certificate programs, but this varies significantly depending on the topic and provider. You may associate the term “bootcamp” with a coding bootcamp, which can be longer-term and more similar to a certificate program. However, bootcamps that familiarize students with existing software don’t tend to take as long or cost as much as bootcamps that introduce students to programming or to a particular language.

Introductory Courses

If you just want to dip your toe into the world of Figma, introductory courses are available on-demand for free through Udemy, DesignLab, or the Figma company itself. There are also free introductory courses on YouTube from reputable designers like Jesse Showalter and Dan Walter Scott. However, when choosing a free introductory course, make sure that it has been updated recently, as the features of Figma are regularly updated.

Learn Figma Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop holds Figma courses at their Manhattan campus and online. With small classes, students receive focused attention from experienced instructors in real-time.

Noble’s Figma Bootcamp teaches students to build professional-quality web designs using Figma. They create vector illustrations, optimize across devices, and export designs for prototyping.

Noble’s UX & UI Design Certificate program teaches students user experience design practices. They research user behavior to make informed decisions about their Figma interface designs.

Noble’s Web Development Certificate program teaches students the technical side of webpage design. Students use HTML/CSS and JavaScript to turn Figma designs into functioning user interfaces.

Key Insights

• There are several different options for Figma training delivery formats, including: 
• In-person
• Live online
• On-demand
• Free introductory
• You can study Figma through different types of programs, including:
• Certificate programs
• Training bootcamps
• Introductory on-demand courses
• You can receive comprehensive in-person or online training in Figma through Noble Desktop