Recap: Friends of Figma Pune in 2023
A city, a chai-tastic community, and another year of collaborative conversations.
Remember the days,
when design software felt like a clunky old sedan — slow, frustrating, and only exciting when it accidentally crashed and burned with your unsaved file? 😓 Ah, those were the dark ages. Then, Figma emerged — a sleek, cloud-powered spaceship zooming towards a design utopia.
Pune, the land of “vada pavs”,
became my design playground not just with its bustling streets, my journey wasn’t just about pushing polygons; it was about building a community. And Friends of Figma? It’s the community that fuels design, a global network of passionate individuals who believe design is not just about aesthetics, but about crafting meaningful experiences that touch lives.
February,
I got the opportunity to lead the Friends of Figma chapter in Pune. As a community advocate, this became the bridge between Figma and Pune, to build a space where Figma enthusiasts could share, learn, and grow together.
April,
our first design meet-up at Monsoonfish. We laughed, we learned, and we discovered the power of Figma, not just as a tool, but as a bridge connecting minds and ideas. From seasoned UX veterans to starry-eyed newbies, huddled together like a curious crew. We shared tips, tackled design-hacks, and forged connections. And oh, what a beginning it was!
June arrived,
bringing with it, the much awaited, Figma Config Watch Party. We braced ourselves for a small gathering, then our jaws dropped as we received 300 registrations — a record-breaking testament to Pune’s design spirit. Our cozy nest transformed into a buzzing Figma hive, with around 150 enthusiastic “Fig-mates” (as we fondly call ourselves) diving into the latest software updates, and powered by pizza & chai.
In September,
we collaborated with Association of Designers of India (ADI) in UXLighthouse, an all-inclusive event for UX, Product, and Tech. We provided mentorship sessions to students aspiring in the field of design.
As 2023 neared its finale,
we looked back on our journey with “2023: Design Wrapped” — a retrospective of the year’s design trends, community highlights, and personal wins. It was an evening of shared learnings and heartwarming realization that we had built a thriving ecosystem of design support, inspiration, and camaraderie.
But now, as 2024 dawns, a new question stirs: where does design take us next?
The design landscape feels like a nebula, brimming with possibilities. I see a future where AI becomes our co-pilot, ethical design taking center stage, interfaces that speak to diverse voices, embrace accessibility, and leave the world a little better every time. And I see sustainability becoming the guiding light, leaving a positive footprint on the world.
This is the future we, as FoF Pune, aim to navigate — a future where design is not just beautiful, but responsible, impactful, and a force for good in the world.
Here’s the catch, fellow Figma voyagers:
this future won’t build itself. It isn’t just about fancy tech and trendy aesthetics. It’s about asking ourselves the tough questions. Will you design solutions that bridge the digital divide? Will you use your pixels to push for a future that is not just beautiful, but also responsible and sustainable? Will they empower or exploit? Will they be accessible to all, or leave some behind?, “Is this design truly serving its purpose? Is it inclusive, accessible, and mindful of the planet?” Let’s use Figma not just as a tool, but as a compass, guiding us towards a design galaxy where beauty and responsibility dance in perfect harmony.
The power to shape the future lies not just in the tool, but in the heart of the designer who wields it. What will you create?
Fig-mates, know more about Friends of Figma Pune and join our community.
