Figma is a cloud-based design platform used to create things like websites, apps, and other digital interfaces. It allows you to design layouts, build interactive prototypes, and experiment with visual systems all in the one place. Because it runs in the browser, you don’t need to install software (although you can if you like!), and your work saves automatically — think of it like Google Docs for UI/design.

Although we’ll mostly use it individually, Figma is built with collaboration in mind, which means multiple people can work in the same file at the same time (which makes it especially useful for studio-style learning, feedback, and collaborative/group projects.)

In order to use it in this unit, we’ll embrace Figma’s ‘Figma for Education’ plan, that gives us full access to the software.

Getting Started

Obtaining access to the Figma for Edu plan: https://www.figma.com/education/

The Figma for Education page (https://www.figma.com/education/) outlines how to get access to the Education plan.

<aside> <img src="/icons/checklist_green.svg" alt="/icons/checklist_green.svg" width="40px" />

The steps are:

1. Create an account Use your student email address to sign up for Figma here.
2. Get verified Once you’ve created your Figma account, verify that you are a student or educator by clicking here. </aside>

There is a third (and optional) step:

• Set up your education team Create, upgrade, or join an existing team to start collaborating and get access to all professional paid tools.

…but for the moment, we only need to concentrate on the first two steps.

Getting Verified as a Student

Once you’ve registered an account, you can apply for edu status at: https://www.figma.com/education/apply

You will see the message below after successful verification.

After successful education status verification. https://www.figma.com/education/apply

Prefer video instructions?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy4fq8ptVR0