Figma Config 2025: A Designer's Perspective
Fresh off the plane and still buzzing with ideas. We had the chance to attend in person this year - and while the jet lag is real, so was the inspiration. Some product updates hit the mark, others left us questioning the direction a little, but the overall energy? Infectious. Here’s our review of Figma Config 2025.
What really stood out this year wasn’t just the tech updates (though there were a few big ones) - it was the talks. A lot of the most inspiring sessions had little to do with Figma features or even design tools. They zoomed out, challenged assumptions, and explored what’s possible when design thinking meets real-world complexity, creativity, and technology. That said, the product sessions and practical workshops still delivered plenty of value too.
TL;DR: What We Learned at Config 2025:
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Figma’s shifting from designer-first to team-first
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Grid Layouts need work before they’re practical
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Figma Sites isn’t production-ready (yet)
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Figma Make is better for communication than code
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The talks - especially those beyond design - were a huge highlight
Is Figma Still Focused on Designers in 2025?
There’s a definite shift happening at Figma. It’s no longer just a design tool - it’s becoming a collaboration platform. And while that makes sense (more users, more possibilities), it also raises a familiar tension: when you try to please everyone, you risk losing the thing that made you special in the first place.
There were moments this year where it felt like design was taking a backseat to team-wide workflows. Not necessarily a bad thing - but for those of us who spend our days deep in pixels, we noticed.
Figma's New Grid Layout: A Step Forward or a Step Sideways?
Other than Figma Draw, the addition of grid was the only real addition for product designers this year. The new grid layout system feels like a move in the right direction - narrowing the gap between design and development by replicating CSS grid. It was by far the most anticipated announcement for both myself and Peter, but right now, it’s just not quite usable.
The biggest limitation? You still can’t make rows or columns automatically fit their content. That’s a dealbreaker for responsive layouts.
Figma uses a system of ‘Tracks’ - its version of rows and columns - rather than adopting CSS grid’s concept of ‘Lines.’ While this approach is more beginner-friendly, it lacks the flexibility needed for advanced layout control.
In practice, this means Figma’s grid system doesn’t support responsive tracks - you’re stuck with fixed widths for columns and fixed heights for rows.
Until that’s sorted, we’re sticking with trusty Auto Layout. It’s not perfect, but it’s still more flexible for most design needs.
Figma Sites Review: Potential vs. Production-Readiness
Figma Sites definitely turned heads. Designing and publishing actual sites directly in Figma? Huge potential.
But while the concept is promising, the current version feels more like a visual playground than a production-ready tool. The code output needs a lot of work before we’d consider it for anything client-facing. That said, we’ll be watching this space closely.
Figma Make Beta: Great for Prototyping, Not for Shipping
We’re still waiting on beta access to Figma Make, so we haven’t had a chance to test it firsthand - but from the demos, it’s clear the goal isn’t about generating production-ready code. Whether Figma ultimately envisions the generated output being used in live environments remains to be seen.
What does seem promising, though, is its potential as a tool for showcasing logic, interactions, and animation in a way that’s easier for non-designers to understand - and for designers to clearly communicate concepts to developers and stakeholders. That’s where we think we’ll see the real value.
It’s not about hitting “Export” and shipping - it’s about clarity and collaboration. And that’s more than enough for us at Koben.
Figma Draw is Coming for Illustrator
Figma Draw feels like a direct shot across the bow at Illustrator - and we’re here for it. With an array of vector brushes, and the ability to sketch freeform directly within the Figma environment, it blurs the line between UX design and illustration in a way that’s genuinely exciting.
For teams that already live in Figma, this could mean fewer tool switches, faster creative exploration, and a smoother path from rough sketch to refined UI. It’s still early days, but the potential is massive - especially for designers who like to think with their hands.
Big Ideas and Bold Thinking: Our Favourite Sessions at Config
Without a doubt, the talks at Config this year were 🔥 . And surprisingly, most of the standouts weren’t even about Figma at all.
They ranged from creative case studies to unexpected tech applications - some so out-of-the-box they made us stop and rethink what’s possible in our own work. These sessions weren’t just informative - they were expansive. The kind that make you want to come home and try something new, or dig deeper into an idea you’d been putting off.
There were so many amazing talks but these were some of our favourites:
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The Severance design breakdown was a masterclass in storytelling through visual tone. Every detail, every decision - it was all so intentional and layered. Inspiring in the best way.
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The Mouthpad (a trackpad controlled with your tongue) was strange and brilliant - and a powerful example of what accessible design can look like when you stop limiting yourself to conventional inputs.
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The UX research sessions were grounded and practical - reminding us that good design isn’t just about what looks good, but what works.
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And we found a lot of value in the product and business-focused sessions too - from rebrand walkthroughs to collaboration tips that we’re already thinking about applying here at Koben.
Creatively Recharged
For me, not every product update hit the mark - but Config still delivered what I hoped it would: space to think, to connect, and to be reminded why we do this work in the first place.
We came back with fresh ideas, renewed focus, and a deeper appreciation for the kind of design that doesn’t just look good - but moves people, includes people, and makes something better.
I’m so glad we made the space to attend Config this year, and I’ll definitely be back in 2026.
How Can We Help You?
Experiences like Config aren’t just about inspiration - they sharpen our perspective and strengthen the way we solve real-world problems. At Koben, we stay close to the tools, ideas, and shifts shaping the future of digital design, so we can build better, smarter, more human solutions for our clients today.
If you’re looking for a team that thinks ahead while staying grounded in the details, we’d love to talk.
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