Config 2023: Unveiling the Future of Design and AI

Eight years ago, the mere thought of being seated in the front row of my favorite tool's conference would have triggered laughter and disbelief. Leaving Colombia behind to pursue English language proficiency and work as an Au Pair in the United States, I could never have fathomed the extraordinary design journey ahead.

It began with a humble two-week program, the gateway to my Visual Design education. As I honed my skills, I embarked on a career as a digital designer, gradually carving my path toward success. A significant milestone along this transformative trajectory was my ability to secure funding for enrollment in the esteemed UX program at Berkeley Extension. Throughout this journey, I understood that success is not a result of enchantment but rather a product of relentless hard work and unwavering dedication. Motivated to empower others, I actively mentor and teach, encouraging aspiring designers to dream big, believe in themselves, and forge meaningful connections within our vibrant community. This celebration of interconnectedness and camaraderie perfectly encapsulates the essence of #Config2023 Figma, a gathering that left all attendees inspired and ready to seize boundless opportunities.

Figma's Supercharged Features:

As many of you know, Figma has introduced remarkable features to make our lives as designers #superfast , as my friend Zander often emphasizes. One feature that truly delighted me was the Dev Mode. Being a designer requires a passion for creation and effective communication and collaboration skills with stakeholders. In teams where developers outnumber designers, the Dev Mode is a game-changer. With integrations to their tech stack and an extension for Visual Studio Code, developers can now inspect Figma files, collaborate seamlessly, receive real-time notifications, and even receive code suggestions. Product managers will also appreciate the increased speed.

Additionally, the handoff feature has been enhanced, allowing for more explicit screen labeling and effortless comparison of changes. This improvement minimizes the back-and-forth discussions that often arise in retrospectives. As designers, we advocate for these tools and educate others about the benefits, as they bring value to end-users and businesses. Brian Chesky 's interview with Dylan Field reinforces the immense potential for designers to drive positive change within organizations.

The Era of AI in Figma:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has firmly established its presence in Figma's future. The recent acquisition of Diagram, founded by Jordan Singer , promises boundless possibilities. During a captivating presentation by Jordan and his team, they shed light on the future of AI in Figma. In simple terms, AI is a trained language model—a computer program exposed to vast amounts of text data and trained to predict what follows in a given sequence of words.

For Figma, AI represents a transformative shift. It transcends being just a product; it becomes a platform that reshapes our design process and involvement. In its initial phase, AI in Figma will enable generating multiple ideas with a simple prompt. Rather than manually assembling components that align with user requirements, AI can develop them at a much larger scale. Imagine providing AI with user requirements and allowing it to create an experience that minimizes clicks, optimizing the user flow. Noah Levin , Vice President of Product Design at Figma, emphasizes that "AI will enable more people to become visual creators, empowering existing designers to craft more ambitious experiences than ever before." The prospect of collectively building remarkable user experiences that enhance lives is undeniably thrilling. While AI in Figma is about to embark on its journey, its potential growth over the next year is something to anticipate eagerly.

Unlocking the Power of Connectivity and Fraternity at Config:

Some attendees have expressed curiosity about navigating and making the most of the conference experience as introverts. While I cannot personally speak from an introvert's perspective, as I consider myself quite the opposite, I have gained valuable insights from my previous experience as a journalist in Colombia. I want to share some tips to help you fully connect with people at your next conference.

First and foremost, when engaging in conversation, it is essential to maintain eye contact. This simple gesture conveys to the other person that you value their presence and opinions. Additionally, active listening is critical. Take a genuine interest in others by asking questions about their struggles as designers and which talks inspired them the most. Shifting the focus of the conversation from technical aspects to more human-centered topics can create a deeper connection.

Let me also reflect on the spirit of Connectivity and Fraternity that permeated the conference. Before the official event, we organized a hike where 60 individuals from around the world gathered for a morning walk and coffee. Witnessing the gratitude and enjoyment among the participants was a genuinely heartwarming experience. Attending a conference alongside renowned designers like ??Zander Whitehurst was amazinggggg, and seeing his impact on people's lives was undeniable. Personally, having Zander as a friend, someone who believes in my talent and includes me in his incredible ideas, is something I will forever be grateful for.

Throughout the two days, I had the opportunity to interact with remarkable individuals. I interviewed attendees alongside Zander, learning from their perspectives and stories. Among the attendees were two former students, Tori Gan and Elise Loeb , an ex-classmate from Berkeley, Angela Becerra, MDes , fellowship designers Indya McGuffin , and Sydney T Nguy?n from Made in the Future, and mentors like David Hoang and Yasmine Evjen . I also enjoyed meeting Lauren (McCann) Ryan and Miggi from Figgi , true educational advocates working tirelessly to empower more people in the USA. Hearing how inspired Latinas felt by witnessing my journey brought tears of happiness. Being in a space where strangers can make me feel safe and bring a smile to my face is an indescribable feeling. The energy and love from my friends, Ida Str?m , Nancy Buenaventura , Lauren Srivastava , and Drew Haas , reuniting in San Francisco after two years, only added to the extraordinary experience.

The Talks That Ignited Inspiration Within Me

Design without Business is just decoration by Steve Johnson .

Navigating Uncertainty by Haraldur Thorleifsson

Generative AI and Creative Arms Race ?by Ovetta Sampson

Conclusion:

Config 2023 unveiled the future of design and AI, showcasing Figma's commitment to empowering designers and revolutionizing the creative process. With the introduction of powerful features like Dev Mode and enhanced handoff, Figma enables seamless collaboration and accelerates the design-to-development workflow. The acquisition of Diagram and the integration of AI into Figma foreshadow a future where creativity is amplified and exceptional user experiences are built at scale. Config exemplified the power of connectivity and fraternity, fostering connections and inspiring attendees to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. As Dylan and the Figma team continue to lead this remarkable tool, it becomes clear that Figma is not just a tool; it is a thriving community driven by a shared passion for design and the pursuit of excellence.

Thanks for reading, my darlings; regards from my tiny room in Manhattan

Lilibeth Bustos Linares