Disable 'observe' mode

are you guys going to fix this shit? fucking thing has been an issue for 2+ years.

While I love the ‘open design’ concept of Figma, designers also require privacy to work effectively. With the observe feature, clients, PMs, engineers all quickly realize that they can easily tune in to watch their designers work at any time of the day or night. It disrupts designer workflow and can easily cause tension among team members. In my experience, it is incredible frustrating to be working and have your flow interrupted every time you see someone open the file. I often click on their icon to see they are literally watching my every move. If you are going to provide an ‘observe’ mode, it seems like table stakes to allow designers to prevent others from ‘observing’ them. Please add this feature.

Sometimes it is quite uncomfortable when you find others following you all the time, they could be your micro-managy manager or others. Would Figma consider having a feature that users can stop others from following you?

I feel like everything has already been said, but I agree 100% with all the arguments here.

Every time a PM, PO or boss goes on file all of a sudden, I get so frustrated.

1. Unsolicited feedback. I have to explain unfinished work statuses and ideas endlessly. Because what is in the file is what is considered finished. You would actually have to formulate and document every screen, every even so little idea, every time, because you can never be sure which uninvolved person is going into the file and looking at something at any given time. It’s more of a people problem if you can’t distinguish between an idea and the finished product - but I can’t write in large letters on the screen every time in advance: Attention, this is only an idea!

2. Strong anxiety. Nobody likes to be observed at work. I tense up as soon as I see cursors of higher-ups flying around in the file. Inwardly, I prepare myself for unnecessary explanations and unsolicited feedback.

3. Reduced productivity. I practice non-reactivity, but that just doesn’t work in today’s digital world. Being involved in unsolicited feedback conversations at all hours of the day and night reduces your own productivity. And also the desire to work on the project.

4. Accumulated unwillingness. Whenever I prepare “the big one”, clean up the file or prepare a great presentation, I am endlessly annoyed when the “wow” effect is taken away from me because the boss has already looked at it 10 times. The dramaturgy, the effect and also my own verve are completely lost.

I vote for this. I had situations where I shared a Figma file with a potential employer or later-ex boss. When someone shouldn’t have access (any more), there should be a way to silently block and/or remove them.

I love being able to collaborate with my team, but when they are just on the file and not working, maybe just watching, it can feel incredibly intimidating, is there a feature to temporary remove the user either by choice or after a time out if they haven’t contributed.

The more interesting about that would be to know which user has been active recently like “active 23 days ago” by exemple

@matteogonzalez that is certainly an interesting thought.

I was thinking more about creating a space maybe incognito mode, or similar, to create a space for designers to flex creatively whilst not being watched. I personally don’t try crazy designs if I feel I’m being watched by others especially higher managers and sometimes to more crazy ideas are the better ones.

Likewise, we share Figma links with clients so they can review. It’s a horrible situation trying to design whilst a paying customer is watching you 🤣 😅

Yeah i totally understand i live the same in my agency
But i think i saw some related topics on “Share an idea”
Because we all hate to be supervised all the time by project manager