Introduce "Focus Mode" in Figma

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1

“Focus Mode” could be a new feature in Figma that allows designers to work without the distraction of others inspecting their work in real-time. When activated, this mode will prevent others from seeing live changes and inspecting elements on the designer’s screen, providing a private workspace similar to locking a document.

Key Features:

  1. Activation Toggle: A simple toggle button in the Figma UI to turn Focus Mode on and off.
  2. Visual Indicator: A subtle visual cue (like a small icon or a colored border) indicating Focus Mode is active, visible only to the designer.
  3. Restricted Inspection: While in Focus Mode, other collaborators cannot inspect elements or see live changes. They will see a static view of the file before Focus Mode was activated.
  4. Notification System: When Focus Mode is activated, collaborators receive a notification explaining that the designer is in Focus Mode and that live updates and inspections are temporarily disabled.
  5. Granular Control: Options to allow certain collaborators (like trusted team members) to bypass Focus Mode restrictions if needed.

Benefits:

Increased Productivity: Designers can work without interruptions or the pressure of being watched.
Reduced Anxiety: less stress for designers knowing their work isn’t being scrutinised in real-time.
Improved Collaboration: Designers can choose when to share their progress, ensuring feedback is received at appropriate stages.

2

Thanks for the detailed feedback.

“Focus Mode” is not available at the moment, but branching might be a similar concept. Although only people with a paid seat in an organization or workspace can use branching, it could be a viable alternative for now. Here’s an article with more information:

Thanks again for sharing your idea!

Toku