Collaboration tools for art, architecture and design are critical to sharing visual work throughout class. In our new virtual landscape having a whiteboard type environment for students to share images, comments, draw and present will be ideal.
Figma is a web and desktop based collaboration tool where member can design and comment in real time. While designed with digital user experience (UX) professional in mind, it has grown to include applications for many disciplines that create and share work. You can use the tool as a whiteboard, or build upon interactive design tools to creative experience for screen based delivery, make presentation decks, or work collaboratively.
1. Signup help: Figma is free to students and educators (including unlimited files and editors). To take advantage of that, you can apply for the Education account at figma.com/education/apply and then following the instructions here. We recommend using a WashU email address and setting your own password. Note that there is an online (browser based way to use it) and you can also download a desktop application version at this link.
2. Classroom-specific templates and resources: This Classroom Resources Kit is a collection of templates and resources to help you learn, create, and make the most of Figma. It includes resources for:
- Learning Figma
- Setting up the classroom in Figma
- Collaboration templates (ex- brainstorming, retrospectives, feedback)
- Design/UI kits
- Prototyping/development
- Fun classroom activities in Figma
3. An invitation to get in touch directly: Anyone can always reach out to Brie Wolfson at bwolfson@figma.com or education@figma.com. They are always happy to answer questions or help with setup!
4. Download the desktop version at this link.
Who can I ask for help at WU?
It should be noted that this tools is not WU supported enterprise tools nor does Sam Fox have a license or staff doing trainings. That said Figma has robust training resources, such as the YouTube channel by Figma. We are also building a community of users and will seek to engage each other as we move along, so make sure to ask colleagues for help.
More to learn at these links:
Help Center
Best Practices
Templates