In August, I received access to Figma UI-3 for beta testing on my secondary account. After spending some time exploring the new interface, I encountered several challenges, particularly when trying to locate specific properties and tasks. While the design and aesthetics of UI-3 are visually impressive, as a regular Figma user for the past three years, I found it difficult to adjust to the new property panel. This led me to switch back to my primary account, which was still running the old version. However, by early September, UI-3 was rolled out to my primary account, and with the older version being phased out soon, I decided it was better to fully adapt to UI-3.
After using UI-3 for about a month and a half, I found myself repeatedly switching back to the old version to locate certain properties I regularly use. This highlighted the difficulties in building muscle memory for UI-3, as the new interface often obscures commonly used features. A quick search on forums like Reddit, Twitter, and the Figma community revealed that I’m not alone—many users are experiencing similar frustrations and are now looking to revert to the previous version.
Key Usability Issues
Cluttered Property Panel
One of the most noticeable changes in UI-3 is the overly cluttered property panel. In the old UI, properties like component selection and similar object options were easily accessible. However, these have now been moved to the right panel, forcing other features, like alignment and frame constraints, to be grouped together. This grouping causes cognitive overload, as too many features are squeezed into a single area, making the interface feel dense and less user-friendly.
Frame Adjustment Difficulty
The repositioning of the frame adjustment tools is particularly frustrating. I frequently adjust the width and height of frames, and having worked with design tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, I was accustomed to frame controls being placed near the position of the frame itself. With UI-3, the controls have shifted, making it difficult to build new muscle memory, as it goes against long-established design conventions. This change disrupts my workflow and significantly hampers efficiency.
Top Bar Repositioning
Figma’s decision to move the top bar to the bottom of the screen was intended to create more working space on the canvas. However, this breaks a key design convention, as most design software places navigation at the top. The issue arises because most users tend to work on the middle or top-middle area of their canvas, and having the toolbar at the bottom increases the time it takes to access essential functions. For example, if I do an action around 200 times a day, and if this adds up to an extra 10 seconds each day, it results in approximately 33.33 minutes of lost time per month. Though this may seem small, it accumulates and impacts productivity over time.
Impact on Productivity
The new UI-3 has led to a 20-25% drop in my productivity. The difficulty in locating properties quickly has forced me to spend more time searching for tools, disrupting my workflow. Despite using Figma for over 3.5 years, this latest update makes me feel like I’m using an unfamiliar tool, which is quite disorienting.
Final Thoughts
I’m unsure why Figma felt the need to overhaul the interface so drastically, especially when the older version was user-friendly. I believe that if Figma had a strong competitor, this UI change could significantly impact its user base, as many users, including myself, are struggling to adapt to UI3.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on UI3. Has it impacted your productivity in any way? How did you adjust your muscle memory to adopt the new UI, and how long did it take? If possible, please share your process for adapting, as it could help me transition to the new interface more quickly.
I haven’t come across any official documentation explaining why Figma made these changes or the psychology behind the new design. It’s clear they conducted user research, but I’m curious about the reasons behind the update. If anyone has research or insights, please share them in the comments section.