Apple has made a significant move in app design by releasing an official design kit for Figma users. The kit caters to those creating app mockups for Apple Vision Pro. Apple has also introduced the visionOS SDK for developers, providing the necessary tools to bring creative visions to life.
Embracing Figma: The Preferred Design Tool for Apple Designers
Figma has long been favored by designers working on Apple’s platforms. Even before Apple officially recognized its potential, Figma was already embraced and loved by the design community. Its ability to work with vector graphics and facilitate prototyping makes it an ideal choice for designers looking to create visually stunning app mockups.
Earlier this year, Figma took a step further by releasing its FigJam app for iPad, catering to the growing demand for design capabilities on Apple’s tablet devices. Additionally, Figma has been diligently working on an iPadOS version of its full software. This is expected to further enhance the design experience for Apple users.
A Comprehensive Design Kit for visionOS
Apple’s visionOS design kit for Figma encompasses a wide array of UI components, views, system interfaces, text styles, color styles, and materials. These essential building blocks enable designers to swiftly create highly realistic visionOS app designs. By providing a comprehensive set of resources, Apple empowers designers to bring their creative vision to life with ease and precision.
In the past, Apple offered a design kit for Adobe XD, a similar platform to Figma. However, with Adobe’s intention to acquire Figma, Apple has shifted its focus to Figma, discontinuing support for Adobe XD. This move demonstrates Apple’s commitment to providing designers with the best tools and resources for their app design endeavors.
Expanding the Design Kit Collection
Alongside the design kit for visionOS, Figma users can access official design kits for other Apple operating systems, including iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma. These kits encompass various interface resources such as Home Screen and Lock Screen elements, notifications, text styles, materials, and more. With these extensive design kits, designers have access to a wide range of resources to create stunning and cohesive app designs across different Apple platforms.
Accessing the visionOS Design Kit for Figma
Designers eager to explore the possibilities of the visionOS design kit can find it on the Figma website. It is important to note that the kit is currently in beta, and some elements may undergo further changes. Apple has scheduled the official release of visionOS and Apple Vision Pro for early 2024. Before utilizing the visionOS library, ensure you have the latest version of SF Symbols installed, as it is a prerequisite for seamless integration with the design kit.
