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Adobe InDesign vs Figma: What are the differences?
Introduction:
Adobe InDesign and Figma are two popular design tools used by professionals to create and manage digital assets. While both provide similar functionalities, they also have key differences that set them apart. In this Markdown code, we will highlight six significant differences between Adobe InDesign and Figma.
Interface and Platform Compatibility: Adobe InDesign is a desktop application designed specifically for MacOS and Windows operating systems. It offers a feature-rich interface suitable for complex layouts and print design projects. On the other hand, Figma is a web-based design tool accessible on any platform with an internet connection. Figma's interface is simpler and focuses on collaboration and real-time editing, making it a flexible option for remote teams.
Collaboration and Sharing: Figma takes the lead when it comes to collaboration and sharing capabilities. With Figma, multiple users can work simultaneously on a single design file, making it easy to collaborate in real-time. It also provides effortless sharing of design files using URLs, allowing stakeholders and clients to view and provide feedback conveniently. In contrast, Adobe InDesign lacks these collaborative features, making it more suitable for individual designers or static design workflows.
Design Prototyping: Figma distinguishes itself by offering powerful design prototyping features. It allows designers to create interactive prototypes with advanced transitions and animations without the need for additional software or plugins. Prototyping in Adobe InDesign requires integrating with other Adobe tools like Adobe XD or creating static prototypes using clickable elements. Figma's built-in prototyping capabilities make it a preferred choice for designers who value seamless design-to-prototype workflows.
Typography and Typesetting: Adobe InDesign has long been recognized as an industry-standard for typography and typesetting. It offers precise control over kerning, leading, and other typographic elements, making it ideal for print design projects that demand meticulous attention to detail. Figma, while providing decent typographic capabilities, does not offer the same level of control and precision as InDesign. Designers who prioritize typographic flexibility and control would lean towards Adobe InDesign.
Third-Party Integrations: When it comes to third-party integrations, Adobe InDesign takes the lead. As part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, InDesign seamlessly integrates with other Adobe products like Photoshop and Illustrator, allowing designers to smoothly transfer assets between different software. Additionally, InDesign supports various plugins and extensions that enhance its functionality for specific use cases. Figma has fewer plugin options and limited direct integrations, limiting its extensibility in comparison.
Pricing and Accessibility: Lastly, pricing and accessibility play a significant role in choosing between Adobe InDesign and Figma. While Adobe InDesign requires a subscription to the Creative Cloud, making it relatively expensive for individual users, Figma offers a free plan that grants access to most of its features with some limitations. Figma's pricing plans are more affordable and flexible, making it a more accessible choice for freelancers, small businesses, and teams on a budget.
In Summary, Adobe InDesign is a powerful desktop design tool with advanced typographic capabilities and tight integration within the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem, while Figma is a cloud-based, collaborative design tool that excels in real-time collaboration, design prototyping, and affordability. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs of the design project and the preferences of the designer or design team.
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
Zeplin is great for Developer handoff and setting as source of truth for Design and Developemt. InViosion is the standard for communicating/testing design ideas and prototypes with stakeholders. Both applications offer unlimited projects. I use them on a daily basis at big enterprises and for small weekend projects.
I have been using Basecamp since 2008 to handle my client communications. I have gone through all of its three iterations.
I'd recommend Basecamp above the others because:
- It is a communication tool through and through. Looking at your description, that seems to be what you need. Zeplin is a developer handoff tool. It isn't designed to cover a more broad use case as you describe. Invision has some features that you want, but it is primarily a tool for building quick low-fidelity prototypes from website mockups. Figma is a great design tool. For the last two, communication is a secondary feature.
- It was designed by a design agency (37 Signals) for their own needs, which were quite similar to yours. (They later closed the agency to focus on Basecamp as a product full-time)
- It has flat pricing that doesn't count the number of projects, clients or team members you have. You don't have to think twice about opening another project or inviting another user. You always pay the same price.
- It can separate team and client communications. The team can talk about something without the client ever seeing it, in the same context.
- It can keep todo lists, which I think you will need anyway.
- Access control is based on projects. Every team member or client will only see the projects they are invited to. They will not even know the existence of others. (Except admins. They can see and join all projects)
- It is easy to understand and use. The design is free of clutter and easy on the eyes. Your clients (especially the tech-averse ones) will appreciate it.
- It has mobile/desktop apps with the full functionality of the web app. You won't have to wait for someone to sit down to get a quick approval.
The only real downside for me was the lack of language support in the user interface. You will be fine if your users understand some very basic written English. Some of my clients did not, so I had to walk them through it.
Pros of Adobe InDesign
Pros of Figma
- Web-based application18
- Intuitive interface and perfect collaboration10
- Free software8
- Works on both Mac and Windows7
- Highly Collaborative7
- Great plugins, easy to extend6
- Works on multiple OS's5
- Imports Sketch files5
- Large community, tutorials, documentation5
- Hands done the best design tool for collaboration!5
- Prototyping, design files and comments all in one place4
- Interactive, event-based prototypes4
- No more syncing between Sketch and InVision3
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Cons of Adobe InDesign
Cons of Figma
- Limited Export options6
