News recently struck the design community that Figma blocked DJI’s access to its products and services because of government sanctions. Many designers raised deep concerns since Figma is a cloud-based design collaboration tool that allows users to design UI and store the design file in the cloud.
Losing access to Figma means companies may also lose a lot more than anticipated i.e. a familiar design workflow, UI elements, resources, and of course, intellectual property.
While extreme incidents like a sanction do not happen every day, designers may still find their hands tied in unplanned episodes such as technical difficulties, program bugs, or something as common as Internet disconnections.
Every incident reminds us that we, the designers, should carry out our jobs in a secure, flexible, and versatile manner. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
(1) Do not be overly reliant on a single tool. While we do enjoy the familiarity of everyday routine, our dependency on a single design tool could lead to unpleasant consequences. What if your account is blocked? What if your new employer asks you to use Adobe XD instead of Figma?
Dependency on a single platform can cause a significant decrease in efficiency when changes are in order, and it may even impact your work deliverables should you struggle to achieve specific effects in the new app.
(2) Manage your design file storage wisely. Back up your design files and intellectual property from time to time so that you won’t be surprised by occasional service disruptions. Invest in local storage devices and apps for your long-term projects or archives. Compared with cloud-based solutions, local storage options like a NAS still have unbeatable stability and reliability.
Finally, you may want to reflect on your previous design projects from time to time just to summarise what you learned and what you have done right. The software may change, but your skills stay with you forever.
