The future of web design just got a whole lot smarter.
Figma’s latest wave of updates didn’t just add features—it kicked off a new era for web design. With artificial intelligence now integrated directly into the platform, designers and product teams are getting a serious workflow upgrade. But what does this mean for how we build websites? And what should design teams do to keep up?
As a top web design agency in New York, we’re always exploring ways to work smarter and scale design systems more efficiently. In this post, we break down what’s new, what it means for the industry, and how tools like these are shaping the next wave of no-code AI tools.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- A breakdown of Figma’s new AI tools
- How these tools change workflows and UX strategy
- Ethics and whether designers should be worried (or excited)
- How our team is experimenting with AI in our own process
- What’s next
What’s New in Figma’s AI Update (2024-2025)
These were the foundational features that kicked off Figma’s AI journey last year:
- AI-Powered Naming & Layer Cleanup
Automatically rename layers, group elements, and organize messy files with a single prompt. - Content Suggestions
Generate text for headings, button labels, and body copy using natural language prompts. - Auto-Layout Enhancements via AI
Quickly convert static designs into responsive layouts using AI-recognized patterns. - AI Prompt Bar (Beta)
Type commands like “center this,” “make it a nav bar,” or “add padding” and watch your file update in real time.
Figma significantly leveled up its AI ecosystem in 2025 with tools that touch every part of the product design and development process:
- Figma Make (Beta)
Turn a prompt into a working prototype—AI builds layouts, components, and logic using Claude 3.7. Fully editable and production-ready.
- Figma Sites (Beta)
AI transforms your design into a responsive live website. HTML/CSS code, animations, and parallax interactions included. CMS features coming later this year. - Buzz (Beta)
Create hundreds of branded assets—ads, thumbnails, social posts—instantly. Lock brand rules and feed in spreadsheet data to scale content with precision. - Edit Image (New Tool)
Modify images directly in Figma Design using text prompts: swap backgrounds, isolate objects, or adjust scenes without leaving your canvas. - Model Picker for AI Images
Choose between OpenAI (GPT-image-1), Google’s Imagen 3, or Amazon Titan V2 when using “Make an Image”—giving designers creative control over the AI engine. - Figma Draw (Now Available)
Advanced vector illustration tools now live in Figma Design: brushes, textured strokes, variable blur, and text-on-path—no need to jump to Illustrator. - MCP Server for Dev Mode (Beta)
AI tools can now read component metadata directly from your Figma file, making handoff more precise for developers using tools like Copilot or Claude Code. - Smarter AI Suggestions
AI now provides contextual design suggestions as you build—offering layout ideas, color palettes, and structural tips based on what’s on your canvas. - Visual Search & AI-Enhanced Asset Search
Search by uploading an image, selecting part of your canvas, or entering text to instantly find matching frames, components, and assets across your organization’s files—no need to know the exact name
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Why This Matters for UX Strategy
AI in UX design isn’t just a shiny new tool—it’s reshaping how teams collaborate, experiment, and scale. With generative AI, teams can:
- Rapidly prototype ideas with real content.
- Generate multiple design directions to test in seconds.
- Align more closely with engineering by surfacing edge cases early.
- Increase speed to market without sacrificing quality.
This helps digital transformation agencies, startups, and in-house teams move faster while keeping their users at the center.
AI in Collaborative Design Workflows
Figma has always been a collaborative design tool, and its AI capabilities amplify that strength. For example, imagine a product marketer prompting Figma AI to generate headline options while a designer simultaneously updates layouts—no back-and-forth required.
These tools reduce bottlenecks between roles by generating design suggestions, adjusting tone, and rewriting copy—all based on team feedback. It’s not just about speed; it’s about alignment. AI can help teams test more hypotheses, iterate faster, and get stakeholder feedback earlier in the process.
As AI continues to improve, we’ll likely see even tighter cross-functional workflows—where designers, writers, and product owners co-create in real-time, with Figma AI translating everyone's needs into visual output.
The Ethics of AI in Design: Bias, Bloat, and Responsibility
As with all new tools, it’s not just about what AI can do—it’s about what it should do. While Figma’s AI tools are powerful, they also raise questions around creative originality and design bias.
Relying too heavily on AI-generated solutions can lead to homogenous results—especially if designers don’t take the time to review, refine, and inject context. These models are trained on existing patterns, which means they may reinforce design conventions that aren’t always inclusive or user-friendly.
Designers should also be aware of potential content bloat or performance issues when AI introduces unnecessary elements. As always, thoughtful curation is key. AI is a creative partner, not a replacement for UX thinking.
Beyond design bias, AI systems raise broader questions around sustainability and content ownership. Training large AI models requires significant energy, and many tools are built on datasets that include artists’ work without clear consent. As Figma and other platforms roll out new AI features, designers should stay informed and advocate for tools that are ethical, inclusive, and transparent.
Will AI Replace Designers?
Short answer? No. But designers who embrace AI will likely replace those who don’t.
AI tools are becoming table stakes—not a gimmick. Designers who lean in and learn how to co-create with these tools will stay relevant, grow faster, and open up new creative possibilities. Think of AI as your newest (and nerdiest) design assistant.
Figma's AI isn’t taking your job—it’s just making the boring parts of your job faster so you can focus on strategy, storytelling, and solving complex problems.
How We’re Using AI Tools at Composite
At Composite, we’re exploring how AI can reduce design debt and improve experimentation. From using AI to generate interface variations to organizing research insights, our designers are starting to tap into these tools to move faster—without losing the soul of their craft.
We’re also keeping a close eye on new AI features across Figma and other design tools, looking for ways to speed up branded content production and explore more interactive user experiences—without compromising on quality.
We’re also experimenting with Webflow’s AI features and prototyping content faster with tools like Notion AI and FigJam plugins. The goal isn’t to automate design—it’s to remove blockers so we can spend more time crafting better user experiences.
What’s Next? Questions Designers Should Be Asking
The tools are impressive—but what does this mean long-term?
- Will generative prototyping tools become smart enough to build responsive, production-ready prototypes on the fly? Figma Make is already pointing in that direction.
- Can brand guidelines eventually be “learned” by AI to auto-apply styles at scale? Tools like Diagram are already heading in this direction. Expect brand-trained AI assistants in the near future.
- How do we ensure human-centered design when machines generate the first draft? It starts with better prompts and ends with thoughtful critique. AI can speed things up—but humans still have to define the why.
These questions aren’t hypothetical—they’re coming faster than we think. The designers who learn to collaborate with AI rather than fear it will be best equipped to lead the next era of digital experience.
Final Thoughts
Figma’s latest AI update is more than a flashy release—it’s a signal. Design is evolving fast, and the best teams will be the ones who embrace this shift with curiosity and creativity.
