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I was of this mind for quite a while. I hate changing tools. I do a lot of front-end dev work that involves translating non-technical designer's layouts into

I was of this mind for quite a while. I hate changing tools. I do a lot of front-end dev work that involves translating non-technical designer's layouts into templates for a CMS. Figma is way, way more efficient for me to use than Ai or PS. Time is indeed money. Most of our team isn't bought in to any specific package... I have to be able to take deliverables from a wide variety of systems, so it wasn't a big deal to add another system on my side of thing. On the designers side, he likes it just as well, and the familiarity is the only hurdle. However, it's not like having to re-understand design, it's just another tool. In the end, that's all it takes... because I don't care what general standard for cross-industry design is. I remember when it was Fireworks. All I care about is the specific tool chain that we use. So, yeah, Figma isn't probably going to become some cross-industry standard, but it so much easier to use for the limited tasks we use it for that it's winning at our very local, agency, level.

scarecrowbob 6y ago
And just for context, the documents that I get in Figma cost in the high 4-figures to mid 5-figures to create before I get them; the folks using these tools aren't picking them because they are cheap.
traceroute66 6y ago
As you yourself admit "for the limited tasks we use it for". And there I certainly agree with you. If you can work in a relative silo with a limited number of tools, then sure, there may well be scope for shopping around, just like you did. But once you're in an environment where you may use multiple tools that come under Adobe's remit, then its likely better to stick with Adobe and get the benefit of the cross-integration. For example, a friend of mine runs a small business, they have someone on their team whose day job is something else, but is good with design and has become the office's go to designer. In the course of an average year, that person will regularly use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for all manner of graphics tasks. They will use InDesign to create print and electronic documents for dissemination. They will occasionally use Adobe Premiere and Adobe Audition to edit videos and podcasts. And they store photos in Adobe Lightroom. Even as a small, non-design focused business, its not difficult to get your money's worth from Adobe.

scarecrowbob 6y ago

And just for context, the documents that I get in Figma cost in the high 4-figures to mid 5-figures to create before I get them; the folks using these tools aren't picking them because they are cheap.

traceroute66 6y ago

As you yourself admit "for the limited tasks we use it for". And there I certainly agree with you. If you can work in a relative silo with a limited number of tools, then sure, there may well be scope for shopping around, just like you did. But once you're in an environment where you may use multiple tools that come under Adobe's remit, then its likely better to stick with Adobe and get the benefit of the cross-integration. For example, a friend of mine runs a small business, they have someone on their team whose day job is something else, but is good with design and has become the office's go to designer. In the course of an average year, that person will regularly use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for all manner of graphics tasks. They will use InDesign to create print and electronic documents for dissemination. They will occasionally use Adobe Premiere and Adobe Audition to edit videos and podcasts. And they store photos in Adobe Lightroom. Even as a small, non-design focused business, its not difficult to get your money's worth from Adobe.