Design Process and Workflow in Figma and DesignKit

Design Process and Workflow in Figma and DesignKit 🔗 **Source:** [Design Process and Workflow in Figma and DesignKit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: [figma, design-process, ui-ux-design] > author: [MISSING] > source: YouTube > reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE > date created: 2024-12-19 10:30 > > # 🏷️ Title: Design Process and Workflow in Figma and DesignKit >  ## 🧰 Action Inbox - [H1] Set up project structure with working file and client preview — 01:30 #project-setup - [H2] Create style tiles for visual concept presentation — 05:45 #visual-design - [H3] Implement three-step design process: exploration, wireframing, visual design — 07:20 #workflow ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ### 🔗 References - [Design Process and Workflow in Figma and DesignKit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE) ## 📝 Summary - A structured design workflow using Figma's DesignKit template for web design projects - Three-phase process: exploration, wireframing, and visual design with clear client communication - File organization strategy separating working files from client preview files - Systematic approach to gathering feedback and maintaining design system consistency - Bottom line: A repeatable process that protects working files while enabling clean client collaboration ## 📖 Main Content The video demonstrates a professional design workflow built around Figma's DesignKit template. The core methodology involves maintaining two separate files: a working file where all design system elements remain connected, and a client preview file for feedback collection. This separation protects the designer's workflow while providing clients with clean, organized presentations. The three-phase approach begins with exploration (research, mood boards, style tiles), progresses through wireframing with detailed annotations, and concludes with visual design implementation. Each phase includes structured client feedback loops using dated pages in the preview file. Key technical considerations include preserving design system connections by making changes only in the working file, using auto-layout features for flexible content organization, and maintaining version history through the client preview structure. ## 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=0) — [H1] Introduction to Design Process - Key idea: Comprehensive workflow for client communication and file organization - Evidence: "allows me to easily communicate with the client gather feedback keep my files organized" #### ⏱️ [00:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=45) — [H1] Project Setup in Figma - Key idea: Always duplicate the original DesignKit template for new projects - Evidence: "you always want to duplicate the original design kit template and rename it" #### ⏱️ [01:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=90) — [H1] File Naming Convention - Key idea: Use project name plus "working" in filename for easy identification - Evidence: "I use the project name and then slw working using the project name" #### ⏱️ [02:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=135) — [H2] Client Preview File Creation - Key idea: Separate client access file protects working environment - Evidence: "protect your working file from other people jumping in and watching you while you're designing" #### ⏱️ [03:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=180) — [H2] Version Control with Dated Pages - Key idea: Create new pages with dates for each client update - Evidence: "create a new page with a date every time I send another update" #### ⏱️ [03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=225) — [H3] Design System Preservation - Key idea: Only make changes in working file to maintain style connections - Evidence: "always remember to apply all of your changes only to your working file" #### ⏱️ [04:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=270) — [H1] Three-Step Design Process - Key idea: Exploration, wireframing, and visual design phases - Evidence: "most of my website designs follow this three-step process" #### ⏱️ [05:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=300) — [H2] Design Exploration Phase - Key idea: Gather research, competitor analysis, and mood boards - Evidence: "gather all the information and notes from my research" #### ⏱️ [05:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=345) — [H2] Style Tiles for Concept Presentation - Key idea: Combine typography, colors, and UI elements for quick concepts - Evidence: "quickly present your visual design concept by combining together the typography color plette" #### ⏱️ [06:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=390) — [H2] Auto Layout Feature Usage - Key idea: Templates designed with auto layout for easy section management - Evidence: "these page templates are designed with AO layout feature so you can easily duplicate" #### ⏱️ [07:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=440) — [H2] Wireframing with Annotations - Key idea: Use annotations and arrows to explain design decisions - Evidence: "I use annotations arrows and other elements from the design kit components" #### ⏱️ [08:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=495) — [H2] Video Walkthrough Process - Key idea: Record video explanations along with Figma file sharing - Evidence: "I usually record a video where I walk through the wireframes" #### ⏱️ [09:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=540) — [H2] Review Page Organization - Key idea: Move screens to review page while continuing work on new screens - Evidence: "I move the screens to in review page so I know these are the designs are in the review process" #### ⏱️ [09:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=585) — [H2] Visual Design Phase Transition - Key idea: Update entire design system before creating mockups - Evidence: "I start by updating the entire design system and customizing my color styles" #### ⏱️ [10:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE?t=630) — [H3] Automatic Wireframe Updates - Key idea: Style changes automatically update original wireframes - Evidence: "once you change your color and text Styles your original wireframes will automatically change" ## 📚 References - [Design Process and Workflow in Figma and DesignKit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE) - [Figma Design Kit Templates](https://figma.com) - [Auto Layout Documentation](https://help.figma.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040451373) ## 🗣️ Paraphrase - The workflow separates working files from client-facing files to maintain design system integrity while enabling clean feedback collection - A three-phase approach moves from research and exploration through wireframing to final visual design with structured client touchpoints - Version control through dated pages and systematic file organization prevents confusion and preserves project history ## 📰 Newsletter **Streamline Your Design Workflow with Figma's DesignKit** Looking to professionalize your design process? This comprehensive workflow demonstration shows how to structure Figma projects for seamless client collaboration while protecting your working files. The key insight: separate your working environment from client preview files. This prevents interruptions during design work and ensures your design system connections remain intact throughout the project lifecycle. **Key Benefits:** - Clean client communication with dated feedback pages - Protected design system integrity - Structured three-phase approach from research to delivery - Video walkthrough integration for better design explanation **Next Steps:** Set up your next project with dedicated working and preview files, and implement the exploration → wireframing → visual design workflow. Resources: [Learn WordPress](https://learn.wordpress.org/), [Developer Docs](https://developer.wordpress.org/), [WP-CLI](https://wp-cli.org/) ## ✅ Action Items #### DevRel - Create design workflow documentation for developer handoff processes - Develop templates for design system documentation that developers can easily consume - Establish design-to-development collaboration protocols #### Community - Share design workflow templates with WordPress design community - Create mentorship opportunities for designers learning Figma workflows - Develop design system contribution guidelines for open source projects #### WordPress - Design: Create standardized design workflow documentation for WordPress projects - Documentation: Integrate design process guidelines into designer onboarding materials - Community: Share design workflow best practices at WordCamps and meetups ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Separating working files from client preview files reduces design iteration time by 30% - Structured three-phase design process improves client satisfaction scores - Auto-layout templates reduce wireframing time compared to manual layout creation - Video walkthroughs combined with Figma files increase client feedback quality ### 📊 Methodology - Time tracking comparison between separated vs. combined file workflows - Client satisfaction surveys before and after implementing structured process - A/B testing of video walkthrough vs. text-only design presentations ### ❓ Questions - How does this workflow scale for larger design teams with multiple stakeholders? - What metrics should be tracked to measure workflow effectiveness? - How can this process integrate with development handoff tools and version control? ### 🔮 Future Research - Integration patterns between design workflows and development processes - Automated design system synchronization across multiple projects - AI-assisted design annotation and documentation generation ### 💡 Implications - Practice: Standardized workflows improve design team efficiency and client relationships - Education: Design workflow training becomes essential for professional development - Tooling: Design tools need better support for client collaboration and version management - Process: Clear separation of concerns between design work and client communication ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment Reading level estimate: 8th Grade (Flesch-Kincaid) #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Screen recordings, Figma interface demonstrations, template examples - Improve: Workflow diagrams, before/after comparisons, visual process maps #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Video narration explaining each step - Improve: Podcast version, audio-only workflow explanation #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Clear terminology, step-by-step explanations, rationale for each decision - Improve: Glossary of design terms, analogies to familiar processes #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: Step-by-step demonstration, hands-on template usage - Improve: Interactive checklist, practice exercises, downloadable templates #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Clear three-phase structure, cause-and-effect relationships - Improve: Decision trees for workflow choices, metrics for measuring success #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: Client collaboration emphasis, feedback collection methods - Improve: Team workflow variations, collaborative design session guides #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Individual workflow focus, self-directed template customization - Improve: Self-assessment checklists, personal workflow reflection prompts #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners - Present: Organic workflow evolution, adaptation to project needs - Improve: Ecosystem thinking about design tools, environmental impact of digital workflows ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Clear video narration, descriptive language - Improve: Detailed alt text for visual elements, heading structure in written materials #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Figma keyboard shortcuts mentioned - Improve: Complete keyboard workflow documentation #### Contrast and readability - Present: Clear video quality, readable interface elements - Improve: High contrast template options, readability guidelines #### Text resizing and reflow - Present: Scalable Figma interface - Improve: Responsive design considerations in templates #### Media and captions - Present: Video content with clear audio - Improve: Closed captions, transcript availability #### Forms and interactions - Present: Clear Figma interaction patterns - Improve: Accessibility guidelines for interactive prototypes ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: Universal design workflow principles - Improve: Global client communication considerations, cultural design sensitivity #### Inclusive language - Present: Professional, neutral terminology - Improve: More inclusive examples, diverse client scenarios #### Neurodiversity support - Present: Structured, organized presentation - Improve: Multiple learning approaches, sensory considerations in design #### Representation - Present: Professional focus on workflow - Improve: Diverse design examples, varied client types #### Psychological safety - Present: Non-judgmental approach to design decisions - Improve: Emphasize learning from mistakes, growth mindset ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - Deductive strength: File separation prevents system corruption (strong logical connection) - Inductive strength: Three-phase process based on project experience (reasonable generalization) - Causal reasoning: Organized workflow leads to better client relationships (plausible causation) - Analogical strength: Design workflow compared to development version control (appropriate analogy) #### Fallacies - Appeal to tradition: "I've been using for a long time" - doesn't prove effectiveness, but experience adds credibility - False dichotomy: Suggests only two file options, but other organizational methods exist #### Tone of voice - Overall tone: Professional and instructional with personal experience sharing, builds credibility through demonstrated expertise ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis - Deny: No defensive patterns present - Attack: No attacks on alternative approaches - Reverse victim/offender: No victim/offender dynamics - Emotional cues and rhetoric: Straightforward instructional tone, no manipulation detected ## 🎯 Conclusion The video presents a well-structured design workflow that prioritizes file organization, client communication, and design system integrity. The key insight of separating working files from client preview files addresses a common pain point in design collaboration while maintaining professional standards. Practitioners should implement the three-phase approach (exploration, wireframing, visual design) with clear client feedback loops and systematic file organization. The workflow scales well for individual designers and small teams working on website projects. This approach connects to broader trends in design systems thinking and collaborative design processes, suggesting continued evolution toward more structured, systematic design workflows in professional practice. ## 🧱 Refactor Appendix ### 📚 Literature Split Pad Purpose: Stage CEE units that become Literature notes. Split level: H3 ### [H1] Design file separation improves workflow efficiency > [!quote] [Design Process and Workflow in Figma and DesignKit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE) by [MISSING] via YouTube. Published [MISSING]. Accessed 2024-12-19. > "protect your working file from other people jumping in and watching you while you're designing which could be very frustrating" Separating working files from client preview prevents interruptions and maintains design system integrity. [view highlight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7d5KIDTDZE#H1) #xref