Shifting Design Winds

What to make of Figma’s plans?

Author

Jon Haines
March 13, 2025

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This week’s edition:

  • Shifting Design Winds: What to make of Figma’s plans?

  • Design articles i found interesting

  • Design jobs I found interesting

The design winds are shifting.

In a world where some say the UX designer is dead, others are exploring news articles that suggests that Figma is poised for an IPO later this year and planning to double its New York office staff by 2034.

Figma does not equal UX. I know this. Figma is more encompassing, enveloping the worlds of product design, UI, and even a bit of coding. So what does this news about Figma suggest for the world of UX?

Everywhere you look, there’s news about a new AI tool every hour. This brings heaps of uncertainty to every tech’s mind - not just designers. Does this mean my job is in jeopardy? Why are the creatives the ones who have a questionable future.

The truth is, the job market goes in cycles. Figma is fighting for its life right now. It’s investing so heavily in AI because it needs to try as hard as possible to not go the same route as Sketch. The IPO and the office growth are two more examples of this.

So while it seems like your job — the designer’s job — is in jeopardy, it’s actually more complex than that. Everyone is trying to navigate the future in a world where tech moves pretty fast. Your goal as a creative is to continue being creative and figure out new ways to be attractive to a shifting market. No, it’s not easy. But hey, if it was easy, would it be worth it?

Design Articles for the Week

Apple poised to revamp iPhone, iPad, Mac software

It's been a while since we've seen a dramatic overhaul on any of Apple's operating systems, but we could see the biggest ones in years as soon as WWDC.

appleinsider.com/articles/25/03/10/apple-is-planning-to-make-enormous-design-changes-to-ios-19-macos-16?utm_source=news.todayin.design&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=when-news-becomes-the-canvas-a-daily-ritual-in-color-and-creativity&_bhlid=12e2079136029af9a6a9172b37f0c56b0050b894

HiPPO Effect in Product Design

No, this article is not about hippopotamus. It’s about Highest Paid Person’s Opinion (HiPPO), how it affects product design decisions, and…

uxplanet.org/hippo-effect-in-product-design-c5888d7bca02

Your portfolios are fucking boring

Sincerely, every design hiring manager out there

medium.com/prototypr/your-portfolios-are-fucking-boring-293b97ac45c1

Design Jobs for the Week

Hi, I’m Jon, a UX and Product Designer from Brooklyn, New York. I write the Design Breadcrumbs newsletter to express my own thoughts on the design world, freelancing, and career advancement. Subscribe to get this news delivered to your inbox every week.