With more designers using local AI for UI copy, UX writing, design documentation, accessibility reviews, brainstorming, and coding assistance, choosing the right hardware has become increasingly important.
One of the biggest questions is how much RAM is actually needed for a smooth workflow while running Figma and local AI tools at the same time.
Here's a quick overview based on different workloads:
- 16GB RAM – Great for basic UI/UX tasks, AI writing, small language models, and everyday design work.
- 32GB RAM – The ideal choice for most designers. It allows comfortable multitasking between Figma, browsers, design systems, and local AI applications.
- 64GB RAM or more – Best suited for professionals working with large AI models, multiple creative applications, or advanced AI workflows.
It's also important to understand the difference between system RAM and GPU VRAM. While VRAM helps accelerate AI tasks on a graphics card, having enough system RAM is essential for keeping both Figma and AI applications running smoothly.
I'm interested in hearing how other designers are approaching this.
- How much RAM does your current workstation have?
- Have you upgraded specifically to improve AI-assisted design workflows?
- Have you noticed a meaningful difference between 16GB and 32GB while using Figma alongside AI tools?
- Which local AI tools have become part of your design process?
Looking forward to learning from the community's experiences and recommendations.
