How Figma Is Screwing Over Freelance Designers
In an era where digital design tools are pivotal, Figma’s recent policy changes have unleashed a wave of discontent, especially among freelance designers. These policy updates have sent shockwaves through the freelance design community, triggering a backlash centered on accusations of greed and predatory pricing. Freelancers are now facing a situation where every collaborative action seems to come with a price tag, a move seen as both exploitative and dismissive of their needs.
Sharing files for collaborative work is how freelancers operate. If a freelancer or agency pays once, they should have the ability to work on whatever shared file (from another paid account) they collaborate with. “How is this even an issue, Figma? This is basic business methodology for freelancers. We are not asking for anything free. We are paying for your service; now please serve us and give us access to the files we need to make a living,” states George_Cuevas.
The transition from a user-friendly platform to one that nickel-and-dimes for every interaction has not gone unnoticed. The removal of dev mode from view-only access exacerbates this, effectively cutting off a previously available lifeline for collaboration with developers. Now, developers can’t view design details without a paid seat, compounding the financial strain on freelancers who must cover these costs for multiple clients and projects. A freelance designer lamented, “I already pay $180USD a year, and with countless developers and clients, this could amount to thousands of dollars. How are developers supposed to work with my designs without access to the basic details?”. @czerskip, commented, “Next thing they’ll start charging for is going to be viewer access…”
Adding to the controversy is the experience shared by Michal Malewicz from hype4.com, who highlighted Figma’s use of dark patterns to inflate charges. Malewicz’s account reveals how Figma’s settings can unwittingly turn clients into paid editors, leading to unexpected costs. This lack of transparency and control over billing escalates the expenses and complicates project management, fueling the perception of Figma’s approach as deliberately opaque and revenue-driven.
The ability for editors to invite others without moderation, potentially leading to unanticipated charges, exemplifies a system that seems designed more for profit extraction than user facilitation. This strategy is perceived as a blatant money-grab, undermining the trust and reliance many designers placed in Figma as a tool that once championed open collaboration and innovation. “It’s predatory to continuously price gouge us for every action,” notes another frustrated designer.
The sentiment within the freelance community is increasingly one of betrayal and disillusionment. The prevailing billing model, tailored for internal design teams with stable and consistent user rosters, starkly contrasts with the dynamic and fluid nature of freelance work. Freelancers frequently find themselves in a precarious position, as they need to collaborate with a varied and ever-changing array of clients and developers. This mismatch between Figma’s rigid pricing structure and the inherently variable workflow of freelancers exacerbates the challenges of maintaining cost-effective, collaborative relationships on a regular basis.
Freelancers are finding workarounds to navigate these constraints. Some have resorted to downloading the .fig file and handing it off to developers who then upload it to their own accounts as a draft. This tactic circumvents the need for additional paid seats, enabling developers to access the necessary design details without incurring extra costs. Others are turning to alternative platforms like Zeplin for the handover process, which facilitates collaboration without the financial burdens imposed by Figma’s new policies. These creative solutions underscore the resilience and adaptability of the freelance community, even as they grapple with the platform’s changing rules.
In conclusion, Figma’s recent policy changes have sparked a heated debate about the ethics of software monetization, particularly as it affects the freelance design community. The growing consensus is that Figma must reconsider its approach and re-align its policies with the needs and realities of the diverse user base that helped build its platform.
