Figma is a vector graphics editor and prototyping tool which is primarily web-based, with additional offline features enabled by desktop applications for macOS and Windows. The Figma mobile app for Android and iOS allow viewing and interacting with Figma prototypes in real-time mobile devices. The feature set of Figma focuses on use in user interface and user experience design, with an emphasis on real-time collaboration.
Dylan Field and Evan Wallace began working on Figma in 2012 while studying computer science at Brown University. Wallace studied graphics and was a Teacher Assistant for the Computer Science Department while Field chaired the CS Departmental Undergraduate Group.[2][3]
The original objective behind Figma was to enable “anyone [to] be creative by creating free, simple, creative tools in a browser.” Field and Wallace experimented with different ideas, including software for drones and a meme generator before settling on web-based graphics editor software. The company’s early scope was described in a 2012 article by The Brown Daily Herald vaguely as “a technology startup that will allow users to creatively express themselves online.” That article reported that the company’s first ideas revolved around 3D content generation, and subsequent ideas focused on photo editing and object segmentation.[3]
Field was named a Thiel Fellow in 2012, earning him $100,000 in exchange for taking a leave of absence from college; Wallace, joined Field in California after completing his degree in computer science and the two began working on the company full time.[4]
Figma started offering a free invite-only preview program on December 3, 2015.[5] It saw its first public release on September 27, 2016.[6]
On October 22, 2019, Figma launched Figma Community,[7] allowing designers to publish their work for others to view and adapt.
On April 21, 2021, Figma launched a digital whiteboarding capability called FigJam, allowing users to collaborate with sticky notes, emojis and drawing tools.[8]
In June 2022, Google for Education announced that it would be partnering with Figma to bring its design and prototyping platform, as well as FigJam, to education Chromebooks.[9]
