My Design Journey: From Photoshop Struggles to Figma Success
I started my UI/UX design career with Photoshop, faced endless handoff issues, switched to Adobe XD for prototyping, and finally found my perfect workflow with Figma. Here’s my real-time story of growth as a designer.
My Design Journey: From Photoshop to Adobe XD to Figma
When I first started my career in design, I only knew Photoshop. It was the industry standard, and I used it to create website layouts. But over time, I realised something was wrong.
Clients would say:
“Can I see how this will work?”
Developers would ask:
“Where’s the spacing, font size, and CSS details?”
All I could give them was a static image. No interactions, no design specs, no smooth handoff. I spent hours explaining every detail manually. That’s when I knew Photoshop wasn’t enough for UI/UX design, it was like using a hammer for every job.
Switching to Adobe XD – My First Big Upgrade
Then came Adobe XD, and it felt like a fresh start. I could finally:
– Build Prototypes Clients could click and experience the design instead of just staring at a flat mockup.
– Share Design Specs Developers could inspect elements, copy CSS, and download assets themselves no more endless explanations.
– Collaborate Easily I just shared a link, and everyone was on the same page.
This saved me hours every week. For the first time, clients and developers actually saw the design as I imagined it.
The Game Changer – Figma
But the real turning point in my journey was Figma.
With Figma, everything changed
– I could collaborate in real-time with my team and clients, even during meetings.
– Developers didn’t just wait for files they could inspect, export, and leave comments instantly.
– I didn’t have to worry about file versions anymore; everything was cloud-based.
– And the plugins? Absolute lifesavers. From icons to content generators, Figma sped up my workflow like never before.
It wasn’t just a tool, it became a space where clients, developers, and I worked together.
Photoshop vs Adobe XD vs Figma – My Experience
| Feature | Photoshop | Adobe XD | Figma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Image editing & graphics | UI/UX design & prototyping | UI/UX design, collaboration & handoff |
| Client Feedback | Static mockups only | Interactive prototypes | Real-time commenting |
| Developer Handoff | Manual (redlines) | Shareable specs & assets | Inspectable designs & assets |
| Collaboration | Offline only | Shareable links | Real-time cloud collaboration |
| Version Control | Manual files | Cloud-based updates | Automatic version history |
| Cross-Platform | Desktop only | Desktop only | Browser, Desktop & Mobile |
| Plugins | Limited | Growing library | Extensive plugin ecosystem |
How AI Became Part of My Design Journey
When I first started designing, it was just me and Photoshop. Every icon, every banner, and every piece of text had to be created from scratch. Over time, as I moved to tools like Adobe XD and Figma, I realised something important: design is no longer just about visuals, it’s also about speed, clarity, and efficiency.
That’s when I started exploring AI tools. Instead of replacing creativity, they’ve become my creative partners, helping me focus more on design thinking and problem-solving.
Here’s how I use them today:
- For Copy & Content
I use AI assistants to refine text, fix grammar, or generate microcopy for UI screens. This saves me hours and ensures the content feels professional and polished.
Tools I use: ChatGPT, Grammarly.
- For Images & Visuals
Sometimes I need quick moodboards or concept visuals. AI image generators help me explore styles and ideas before I start the real design.
Tools I use: Firefly, Gemini, Leonardo, and DeepAI.
- For Icons & Graphics
Instead of spending time searching endless icon libraries, I can generate custom icons that fit perfectly with the brand’s identity.
Tools I use: DeepAI, Recraft, Firefly, and Figma AI plugins.
- For Design Assistance
Small tasks, such as background removal, colour palette suggestions, or quick layout fixes, are handled more efficiently with AI plugins.
Tools I use: Remove.bg, Coolors, Figma AI plugins
Final Thoughts
Looking back, my journey from Photoshop → Adobe XD → Figma wasn’t just about learning new tools, it was about becoming a better designer.
Today, I can focus on creativity instead of technical struggles. Clients get interactive designs, developers get clean handoffs, and I get the joy of designing without frustration.
If you’re still stuck in outdated workflows, trust me switching tools can change your career. Just like it changed mine.
