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Most Common UX Design Tools

The document discusses the evolution of UX design tools from early tools like Photoshop to modern collaborative tools like Figma and Adobe XD. It notes that Figma emerged as a leader for its real-time collaboration, prototyping features, and custom plugins. When choosing a UX tool, considerations include the designer's role, the design context, and the tool's capabilities for responsive design, prototyping, collaboration, and centralized design systems. This course will focus on Figma due to its strengths in remote and collaborative work.

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75 views3 pages

Most Common UX Design Tools

The document discusses the evolution of UX design tools from early tools like Photoshop to modern collaborative tools like Figma and Adobe XD. It notes that Figma emerged as a leader for its real-time collaboration, prototyping features, and custom plugins. When choosing a UX tool, considerations include the designer's role, the design context, and the tool's capabilities for responsive design, prototyping, collaboration, and centralized design systems. This course will focus on Figma due to its strengths in remote and collaborative work.

Uploaded by

edusberse
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Most common UX tools

Evolution of UX tools
The field of UX design and the tools used by designers have evolved over the last several
years. Initially, UX designers commonly used Adobe Creative Suite tools, such as Photoshop.
These tools were used mostly for print and static design. But, as technology and the demands
for UX design evolved, so did the need for increased functionality of digital tools. Sketch was
released in 2010 and was the first digital-forward design tool built specifically for UX
designers. In addition, more tools like Freehand by Miro, released in 2011, and Zeplin,
released in 2015, came along, offering prototype capabilities and opportunities for easier
collaboration.

As organizations have continued to digitally transform and move towards dynamic work
environments, UX tools have had to keep pace. The increase in remote workers, along with
dynamic work environments, has presented a need for UX designers to find the right-sized
toolset to fit their desired output.

Today, the demand for modern, digitally collaborative tools has not subsided. Figma and
Adobe XD both took center stage in the UX design world when they were released in 2016.
Today, Figma holds one of the biggest stakes in the collaborative design and prototyping
market. It offers real-time collaboration, Dev Mode for engineers, and in-product prototyping
features, in addition to many custom plug-ins for unique design needs. Adobe XD continues
to offer a robust solution for UX designers as well, with features such as cloud syncing, for
example, for distributed digital teams. These features facilitate a collaborative element, for
teams who are not working in face-to-face environments.

Going forward
Most of the modern UX tools used by UX designers have similar functionality, with some
unique features and robust online learning libraries. You will likely use more than one design
tool throughout your career. However, in this certificate program, the focus will be on Figma.
You’ll learn how to use it, and you’ll work on projects you’ll be able to include in your UX
design portfolio.

Considerations when choosing UX tools


Don’t worry - you don’t have to choose a UX tool today! But, at some point in the future, as
you dive deeper into your UX design career, you’ll want to choose UX tools that work best
for you and the specific projects you’re working on. As you gain a better understanding of
UX design and the UX design tools, there are a few things you’ll want to consider when
selecting a UX tool:
Who you are as a designer

You may end up pursuing a job as a UX designer. Or, you may end up in a role that is a
variation of UX design—for example, a visual designer or a motion designer. You learned
about various UX design jobs in Jobs in the field of user experience. Understanding what UX
tools work best for you will ultimately be informed by the role you take on and the
corresponding responsibilities and job tasks.

The design context

Another consideration for choosing a UX tool will be the design context in which you work.
In some cases, the organization may dictate the tool you use simply based on what it already
uses. Or, you may have the flexibility to decide on the tool based on the type of project you
are working on or the level of collaboration among team members you may need. These are
just a few factors that may influence the type of UX tool you choose.

Capabilities of the tool

When you get to the point of choosing a UX tool, you’ll also need to consider the capabilities
of the tool. You’ll learn more about these capabilities later in this certificate program. Going
forward, you’ll investigate the tool and ask questions such as:

• Does it allow for mobile-responsive design?


• For example: You may create templates and layouts for various devices. Does the tool
account for, and adapt to, different screen sizes?
• Does it allow for prototyping, testing, and reviewing?
• For example: You’ll eventually want to build a prototype, or sample, of a product. Does the
tool allow you to build the prototype? Does it allow you to test how it works? And, can the
tool allow other stakeholders or designers to review it and provide feedback directly into the
tool?
• Does it allow for team collaboration?
• For example: You will likely work on a team with several people. Can each team member
work in the tool? Can revisions or suggestions be made by other team members?
• Does it allow for a centralized design system?
• For example: You likely won’t be the only designer on a project. With multiple team
members and collaborators, consistency is key. Does the tool allow the team to view and/or
copy styles and properties to ensure consistency across the project?
UX tools—an overview
In this certificate, you’ll focus on Figma. Figma is one of the preeminent UX tools. There are
other UX tools, mentioned previously, you can look at for comparison.

Sketch, Freehand, and Zeplin

• Work well with very large teams that may struggle to adopt new tools
• Paired most commonly with another of these tools
• Do not require WiFi, enabling offline design work
• Do not afford real-time collaboration, prototyping, or design to development collaborative
activities

Adobe XD

• Works well with teams that already use Adobe’s Suite


• Rounds out Adobe’s suite of products with one that is entirely built for digital and UX design
work
• Syncs to Cloud rather than using actual real-time collaboration and can be used offline

Figma

• Is excellent for most designers and contexts


• Includes FigJam access, a whiteboard for brainstorming, diagramming, and strategizing
• Requires WiFi connection
• Is a digital-first, remote-friendly, all-in-one tool, allowing for easier sharing, designing,
collaboration, and reviewing in our ever-changing, more virtual workspace

Do your research
Check out each tool’s website for additional information. As you educate yourself on each
tool’s features and benefits, you’ll be able to choose the UX tool that is right for you. But
remember: You’ll be introduced to Figma and you’ll learn how to use it throughout this
certification course.

• Sketch
• Freehand
• Zeplin
• Adobe XD
• Figma

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