At Sightbox, we’ve felt this before: the gray screens of Netscape in 1995, the first chat with GPT in 2022. Both moments carried the same spark of the future arriving all at once. Now the tide is rising again.
'a user headshot, include shoulders, who has shocked reaction, female and male versions'
Midjourney
As a Figma user, I want to start by applauding your incredible work. Figma has become the go-to tool for so many of us within the product design community, and with good reason. Its versatility, collaboration features, and prototyping capabilities have revolutionized how we design. So first and foremost, well done!
But as much as I love Figma, there’s a growing challenge I’ve noticed when working with clients and stakeholders.
The Challenge
Clients and stakeholders often struggle to navigate Figma. It’s not for lack of effort or interest—they want to move through Figma and even leave comments, however the overall interface can be overwhelming for non-designers. For those unfamiliar with design tools, there’s too much going on, and many find themselves lost in the application’s UI. Simple things like zoom in and out can be a challenge as most users are accustomed to seeing +/- on the UI, as opposed to using shortcuts, and using Figma’s zoom buried and unlabeled at the top of the UI.
No matter how organized I keep my files, with meticulously curated layers and clear labeling, the UI remains a hurdle for those who aren’t designers by trade. It’s understandable: Figma is designed for designers, after all. In today’s collaborative work environment, it’s increasingly common for clients, and stakeholders to engage directly with our tools, not to work in our files, just simply review and approve designs.
This raises an important question: How can we make Figma more accessible and inclusive to the non-designers who rely on it for reviews and feedback?
Figma made the UI an absolute clusterfuck even for designers, you’re asking way too much dude. 😂
Linkedin User
A Modest Proposal: “Client/Stakeholder Mode”
Here’s an idea I’d love for the Figma team to consider: introduce a “Client/Stakeholder Mode.”
This mode would strip down the interface to include only the most essential features for non-designers. Think of it as a minimalist view, tailored to the needs of stakeholders who simply want to:
- Navigate files: Allow them to move through pages and screens effortlessly, and turn features off that a client would not need to use, such as layers, pretty much most of the UI.
- View designs and prototypes: Let them interact with clickable prototypes as they do now, but allow designers to turn boards, and pages on or off for clients.
- Leave comments: Simplify the feedback process without requiring them to wade through layers and design tools, hide layers, as they aren’t needed for clients.
- Client Navigation: Add zoom, and a hand dragger directly on the UI, with an experience users are accustomed to
By quieting the noise, this mode would help clients and stakeholders focus on what matters most—reviewing designs and providing meaningful feedback.
I couldn’t agree more. It would also help if accessing Figma files without an account was made easier. I’ve lost count of how many times clients have messaged saying they couldn’t access the link or struggled with viewing the prototype. Inevitably, they’d ask if I could just upload a PDF instead—it’s simpler for them to navigate than Figma. A “client/stakeholder mode” would be a game-changer!
Linkedin User
Why This Matters
Simplifying Figma for stakeholders isn’t just about making their lives easier; it’s about fostering better collaboration. When clients feel confident navigating the design process, it builds trust and enhances communication. They’ll spend less time struggling with the interface and more time engaging with the product vision.
Additionally, a dedicated Client/Stakeholder Mode would save designers time. No more fielding questions about how to find a particular screen, how to zoom in/out, or explaining how to leave comments. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
How to Get There
To make this happen, can the Figma team conduct user research focused on non-designers? Let’s observe how clients and stakeholders interact with the platform, what confuses them, and what do they find intuitive. Use this feedback to craft a mode that meets their specific needs.
A Love Letter to Collaboration
This suggestion isn’t a critique of Figma—it’s an acknowledgment of how deeply it’s embedded in the design process and how it could evolve to support an even broader audience. The collaboration-first ethos that Figma has always championed makes it the perfect candidate for this kind of innovation.
So, to the Figma product team: thank you for everything you’ve built so far. Here’s hoping you’ll consider this next step in making design accessible for everyone.
All my love,
Aaron
