PMs and Developers in Sync
Since 2022, I've been hooked on Figma! Every day, I discover more reasons to fall in love with its features and what it enables us to achieve.
Today, I'm knee-deep in a massive project, and I thought it'd be a good idea to explore how to squeeze even more out of this tool and maximize all its possibilities for different stages of the process.
Design
For sharing work with other designers, we've devised a super effective method for presenting our projects in design reviews with my colleagues. This template helps us stay focused on the project's status, learn more about the design recipient, and what feedback we need.
We try to present the project as early as possible to receive fresh insights that can enhance the final outcome. For user research, depending on the project stage, we showcase static screens or a prototype.
Product Managers
To collaborate with PMs, we're diving into a highly complex project. We need a good problem statement and flows that allow me to understand how it currently works and what needs changing. I love using Figjam to review everything quickly. Offline comments are key to keeping meetings with PMs on track.I like to keep the file organized so everyone can follow the ideation process, creating a section for things we no longer use and using clear nomenclature so both my PM and Dev are in the loop.
Developers
For working with development, we're experimenting with Dev mode. Once this project wraps up, I'll share my experience. For now, I use Figma to provide context to my developers with static flows and screens, messages, and a specification alongside explaining how they can be used. I also include a specific page with designs in real size and, if necessary, a prototype.
More on Dev Mode </> here
The advantages of this approach are enormous: it not only enhances communication within the product team but also makes it easier to present in interviews or build your portfolio - all in one place! And if, like me, you have confidentiality issues, Figma allows you to set a password to decide who can view the project.
The advantages of this approach are enormous: it not only enhances communication within the product team but also makes it easier to present in interviews or build your portfolio - all in one place! And if, like me, you have confidentiality issues, Figma allows you to set a password to decide who can view the project.