I use Figma every day for software UI design. Definitely prefer the classic UI for these reasons:
As most have said, the floating panels take up too much space and are very distracting. Would be much better if you could snap the left and right panels to the sides so the canvas is not visible behind.
I prefer the placement of the toolbar embedded at the top. The classic toolbar combines the toolbar, but also menu options (now in the new left panel) and sharing/user options (now in the new right panel). I also like that it’s dark and is not distracting. Having 3 floating panels now is incredibly distracting and seemingly takes up much more space, especially on a smaller laptop screen. Better on a larger monitor.
Many things are more difficult to find on the right panel now. I much prefer how they were organized prior with the previous icons. I’m sure there are new features in the new UI and the fact that it’s more context sensitive is nice, but there are too many changes. I find myself hunting for options constantly which is why I switched back to classic.
Would be nice to reduce the width of the left panel in either classic or new UI. Still too wide. I find myself turning it off most of the time.
With each of these big reveal “pull a rabbit out of a hat” Figma updates, it would be great if Figma could at least support their design direction and innovations with some robust user testing from their community of designers. Figma has proven time and again, that they put so much thought into how their product is accessed and used by different audience groups (i.e. educators)…it just seems obvious that Figma’s product team thought a little too much (by themselves) on this one before letting it off the leash into the design wild.
For future releases and there will be future version releases, Figma should consider several rounds of user testing from within the community…and from outside for new Figma users. Then they should show us why they arrived at a particular destination. There should be some form of advance notice and call to testing shown to the Figma community via their blog. This is pretty basic design 101 stuff and Figma clearly dropped the ball here.
Firstly, I appreciate your continuous efforts to evolve and enhance the platform. However, I’ve encountered a few issues with the recent UI changes that are affecting my workflow and overall experience.
1. Workflow Efficiency: The new layout has made previously seamless actions more cumbersome. Essential tools that were once easily accessible now seem buried, requiring more clicks to reach. This increase in friction slows down tasks that used to feel natural and intuitive, reducing overall productivity.
2. Visual Clarity: While I understand the intent behind modernizing the interface, the new design elements feel visually overwhelming. The added complexity creates unnecessary distractions and makes the workspace feel cluttered. Figma’s previous UI had a balance of simplicity and efficiency that I found really effective for focusing on the design itself without feeling overwhelmed by the tools.
3. Tool Placement & Discoverability: The relocation of certain core features, like [insert specific example], has disrupted the fluidity of my workflow. This change adds cognitive load as I now need to hunt for familiar tools in unfamiliar locations. The previous layout was more intuitive, allowing for smoother navigation, and the new one feels like a step backward in this regard.
4. Customization & Flexibility: If these changes are aimed at broadening functionality, offering more flexibility for users to customize their tool placement could help. Letting users adjust the UI according to their preferences might strike a better balance between new features and usability.
Overall, the previous UI design was cleaner, quicker to navigate, and provided a more streamlined user experience. I hope these concerns can be addressed or considered in future iterations, as Figma has always stood out for its ease of use and thoughtful design.
Agree… I really tried to use the new UI but I really can’t. A lot of bad choices.
There is awesome features that’s not exist anymore like select multiple element and make it a multiple variants component. The way to find components/plugins is awful.
I completely agree with everything everyone has said. The new UI makes nearly every type of action harder and more cumbersome. The reorganized panels are so much less intuitive, and many actions require more clicks to complete them. That is like basic UX 101 - you try to eliminate steps and make tasks easier, not harder!
But the worst offender of all for me is the goddamn bottom positioned toolbar. Why? Whyyyyyyyyyyyy would you do that? It’s honestly shocking how badly they got it wrong.
I’ve always respected them for their ability to combine simplicity with efficiency, I’m not a designer. But as a developer I have to use it from time to time, but now it’s a complete bummer.
Everything you need is hidden, and what is garbage is constantly in front of you.