Figma is not only a place to make a screen look polished. It is a place to think through structure, hierarchy, and systems before writing code.
At the planning stage, the goal is clarity. Figma helps make layout and organization visible so they can be tested, adjusted, and discussed.
Why Figma
Figma supports the interface design process through:
- Early wireframes and layout exploration
- Clear hierarchy and information architecture
- Reusable components and consistent systems
- Iteration without starting over
Use Figma to work through the structure of a site, not to hide weak decisions under visual polish.
Organizing a File
Before drawing layouts, create a file structure that separates different kinds of thinking.
Useful pages might include:
- Research
- Site map
- Wireframes
- Desktop designs
- Mobile designs
- Components
- Archive
The file should make your process visible to someone else. A design file is part of the work, not just a container for the final screens.
Recommended Practice
Start loose. Move from notes and site maps into low-fidelity wireframes before choosing colors, typefaces, or final imagery. Decide what belongs on the site, where it lives, and how someone moves through it.
Useful LinkedIn Learning lessons: