Figma and Sketch Workflows

Learn professional workflows for Figma and Sketch to design faster, collaborate effectively, and create high-quality UI/UX designs.

Figma Workflows

Setting Up Your Workspace

• Organize with Pages: Use pages to separate different sections (Design, Components, Archive)
• Create a Design System: Build a library of reusable components and styles
• Use Frames Effectively: Organize artboards with proper naming and grouping
• Set Up Grids: Configure layout grids for consistent spacing and alignment

Component Best Practices

• Create master components for all reusable elements
• Use variants to manage component states (hover, active, disabled)
• Implement auto-layout for responsive components
• Name components clearly with forward slashes for organization
• Document component usage with descriptions

Collaboration Features

• Real-time Collaboration: Work simultaneously with team members
• Comments and Feedback: Use commenting for design reviews
• Version History: Track changes and restore previous versions
• Shared Libraries: Publish component libraries for team-wide use
• Dev Mode: Enable developers to inspect and export assets easily

Essential Figma Shortcuts

• R: Rectangle tool
• T: Text tool
• Cmd/Ctrl + D: Duplicate
• Cmd/Ctrl + G: Group selection
• Shift + A: Auto-layout
• Cmd/Ctrl + /: Quick actions
• Option/Alt + Drag: Duplicate while dragging

Sketch Workflows

Workspace Organization

• Use Symbols: Create reusable design elements with symbols
• Organize with Pages: Separate designs, symbols, and templates
• Layer Management: Use clear naming conventions and folder structure
• Shared Styles: Create text and layer styles for consistency

Symbol Best Practices

• Create nested symbols for complex components
• Use symbol overrides for variations
• Organize symbols with forward slashes in names
• Make symbols responsive with resizing constraints
• Document symbol usage in a separate page

Plugins and Extensions

• Sketch Runner: Quick access to commands and plugins
• Anima: Export to HTML/CSS and create interactive prototypes
• Craft: Populate designs with real data
• Stark: Check accessibility and contrast
• Abstract: Version control for Sketch files

Essential Sketch Shortcuts

• R: Rectangle
• T: Text
• Cmd + D: Duplicate
• Cmd + G: Group
• Cmd + K: Scale
• Cmd + R: Rename layer
• Option + Cmd + C: Copy style

Figma vs Sketch: When to Use Each

Choose Figma When:

• You need real-time collaboration
• Working with remote teams
• Want browser-based access
• Need robust prototyping features
• Prefer a modern, frequently updated tool

Choose Sketch When:

• You prefer native Mac applications
• Have existing Sketch workflows and libraries
• Need offline access
• Want extensive plugin ecosystem
• Prefer one-time purchase over subscription

Advanced Workflow Tips

Design Systems

• Create comprehensive component libraries
• Document design tokens (colors, spacing, typography)
• Establish naming conventions
• Maintain a single source of truth
• Version your design system

Handoff to Development

• Use consistent naming for layers and components
• Provide design specifications and documentation
• Export assets in multiple formats and sizes
• Include interaction notes and animations
• Use tools like Zeplin or Figma Dev Mode for smooth handoff

Performance Optimization

• Flatten complex layers when possible
• Use components instead of groups
• Optimize image assets before importing
• Archive old versions and unused pages
• Split large files into multiple documents

Conclusion

Both Figma and Sketch are powerful design tools with their own strengths. Mastering efficient workflows in either tool will significantly improve your productivity and design quality. Focus on building reusable components, maintaining organized files, and collaborating effectively with your team.