Overview

Adobe Illustrator

Stacks1.5K

Followers1.0K

Votes2

Figma

Stacks4.2K

Followers2.5K

Votes101

Adobe Illustrator vs Figma: What are the differences?

Introduction

Adobe Illustrator and Figma are both powerful design tools widely used in the industry. While they share some similarities, there are key differences that set them apart.

User Interface and Collaboration: Adobe Illustrator is a standalone software that requires installation on a local machine, whereas Figma is a browser-based tool that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Figma allows for seamless collaboration among team members in real-time, enabling multiple users to work on a design simultaneously, while Illustrator lacks this feature.
Vector Editing Capabilities: Both Illustrator and Figma offer extensive vector editing capabilities, but Illustrator has a more robust set of tools and features. Illustrator provides advanced options for creating and editing complex illustrations and artworks, including precise control over individual anchor points and paths. Figma, on the other hand, has a more simplified vector editing interface, suitable for basic vector graphics creation and editing.
Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud: One significant advantage of Adobe Illustrator is its seamless integration with the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem. Users can easily import and export files between different Adobe software such as Photoshop and Premiere Pro. This integration allows for a smooth workflow and efficient transfer of assets. Figma, although it offers various import/export options, does not have a deep integration with other design tools beyond basic file compatibility.
Prototyping and Interaction Design: Figma excels in interactive prototyping and has robust features for creating design prototypes with animations, transitions, and interactive elements. It allows designers to create interactive UI designs, test user flows, and gather feedback. While Illustrator has limited prototyping capabilities, it primarily focuses on static design and lacks the comprehensive prototyping functionalities provided by Figma.
Subscription Model: Adobe Illustrator follows a traditional software licensing model, where users need to purchase a subscription or a perpetual license to access the software. This can be cost-prohibitive for individual designers, especially those just starting. Figma, on the other hand, offers a more flexible pricing structure, including a free plan, making it more accessible to designers with different budgets.
Platform Compatibility: Illustrator is a desktop application available for both macOS and Windows. Figma, being browser-based, is compatible with various operating systems, allowing users to work seamlessly across different platforms. This cross-platform compatibility makes Figma an attractive choice for teams with diverse setups.

In summary, Adobe Illustrator offers a comprehensive set of vector editing tools and deep integration with other Adobe software but lacks real-time collaboration and interactive prototyping features available in Figma. Figma, being browser-based, provides a more flexible collaboration environment, robust prototyping capabilities, and a platform-independent experience.

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Advice on Adobe Illustrator, Figma

Bobby

Feb 14, 2020

Needs advice

Hello, I want to start an unlimited graphic design service. (yes, yet another one, but bear with me)

It’s the second week that I’m working on this project, my goal is to test the market as soon as possible.

One element that is missing is the solution to handle communication between the clients and the designers.

• Mandatory: it needs to communicate instructions, progress/status, and design files (exported from Adobe Illustrator or similar). • Optionally it would also display the design inside the app so the files don’t need to be opened. • Optionally it would let the client easily mark the design where he wants revision.

• Mandatory: it needs to have unlimited clients and unlimited projects (I’ll have hundreds of clients and each will have at least one project) • Optionally it would auto-assign a new project to the first available designer, or let the designers choose themselves which project they want to work on • Optionally it would have groups (corresponding to a subscription plan) with different clients and different designers in each • Optionally it would communicate with other apps so that client and designer management tasks (access, payment, etc) can be automated

I’m open to all suggestions, not just the selection above. Ultimately I guess I’ll have a custom app developed on a no-code platform, but to begin with I need something simple and ready.

Reminder: it is only for graphic design, between my designers and my clients

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Comments

Detailed Comparison

Adobe Illustrator	Figma
The industry-standard vector graphics app lets you create logos, icons, sketches, typography, and complex illustrations for print, web, interactive, video, and mobile.	Figma is the first interface design tool with real-time collaboration. It keeps everyone on the same page. Focus on the work instead of fighting your tools.
-	Online Sketch alternative; Free for small teams; Easy to use
Statistics
Stacks 1.5K	Stacks 4.2K
Followers 1.0K	Followers 2.5K
Votes 2	Votes 101
Pros & Cons
Pros 2 Vector Creation Cons 3 Massive disk space usage 3 Adobe Updater to slow you down even more 2 Expensive 1 Not really a tool for web design 1 Clunky	Pros 19 Web-based application 11 Intuitive interface and perfect collaboration 9 Free software 8 Works on both Mac and Windows 8 Highly Collaborative Cons 6 Limited Export options
Integrations
Adobe Photoshop	Trello Coda ProtoPie Principle Dropbox Slack Storybook Notion Pendo Zeplin

What are some alternatives to Adobe Illustrator, Figma?

Sketch

Easily create complex shapes with our state-of-the-art vector boolean operations and take advantage of our extensive layer styles.

Adobe Photoshop

It is the best in the world of graphic design and image processing software that will realize any of your ideas. Create and enhance photos, illustrations and 3D graphic objects.

Adobe XD

A vector-based tool developed and published by Adobe Inc for designing and prototyping user experience for web and mobile apps.

Zeplin

Collaboration app for designers & developers. Supports Sketch and Photoshop (on beta!).

Blender

It is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and game creation.

ProtoPie

It is the easiest tool used to turn your UI/UX design ideas into highly interactive prototypes for mobile, desktop, web, all the way to IoT. ProtoPie runs on macOS & Windows and the player app is on iOS and Android.

Readymag

Readymag—an online platform for website creation focused on design & creativity. Advanced typography. Powerful animations. Code injection & third-party tool integrations.

Inkscape

It is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. This software can be used to create or edit vector graphics such as illustrations, diagrams, line arts, charts, logos and complex paintings.

Affinity Designer

No bloat, no gimmicks, just all the tools you need, implemented how you always dreamed. It is a stripped back, pro-end workhorse that will always get your job done. It was created to thrive on the electric pace of the latest computing hardware. Live, responsive and incredibly fluid, it’s simply a joy to use.

Affinity Photo

It is born to work hand-in-hand with the latest powerful computer technology, it’s fully-loaded photo editor integrated across macOS, Windows and iOS.