Feedback and Comments in Figma

Feedback and comments are essential features in Figma that facilitate collaboration and iterative design. These tools allow team members to provide real-time feedback, annotate designs, and track changes, ensuring that the design process is transparent and efficient.

Key Concepts

1. Adding Comments
2. Annotating Designs
3. Resolving Comments
4. Comment Threads
5. Notifications
6. Exporting Comments
7. Collaborative Feedback
8. Feedback Integration with Agile

1. Adding Comments

Adding comments in Figma allows team members to provide feedback directly on the design canvas. To add a comment, select the comment tool from the toolbar, click on the area of the design you want to comment on, and type your feedback. Comments can be directed to specific team members by tagging them using the "@" symbol.

Example:

Imagine you are reviewing a wireframe and notice a layout issue. You can add a comment directly on the problematic area, tagging the designer, and suggesting a possible solution. This immediate feedback helps in addressing issues early in the design process.

2. Annotating Designs

Annotating designs involves adding notes, arrows, or shapes to highlight specific elements or areas of the design. This feature is useful for pointing out details that may not be immediately obvious in the design. Annotations can be added using the comment tool and various shapes available in Figma.

Example:

Consider a design with multiple layers and complex interactions. By adding annotations, you can draw attention to specific elements, such as a button or a text field, and provide detailed feedback without cluttering the main design.

3. Resolving Comments

Resolving comments in Figma marks a comment as addressed or completed. Once a comment is resolved, it is hidden from the main view but can still be accessed in the comment history. This feature helps in keeping the design canvas clean and focused on unresolved feedback.

Example:

Imagine a team working on a design sprint. As feedback is addressed and changes are made, team members can resolve comments, ensuring that the design canvas remains organized and that only unresolved feedback is visible.

4. Comment Threads

Comment threads allow for a continuous conversation around a specific comment or feedback. Team members can reply to comments, creating a thread of discussion. This feature promotes in-depth discussions and clarifications, ensuring that all feedback is thoroughly addressed.

Example:

Consider a design review where multiple team members provide feedback on a specific element. By using comment threads, the team can have a detailed discussion, addressing each point and reaching a consensus before making changes.

5. Notifications

Notifications in Figma alert team members when they are tagged in a comment or when a new comment is added to a design they are working on. This feature ensures that everyone is aware of new feedback and can respond promptly. Notifications can be managed in the Figma settings.

Example:

Imagine a remote team collaborating on a project. By enabling notifications, team members can stay updated on new feedback and respond in real-time, ensuring that the design process remains efficient and collaborative.

6. Exporting Comments

Exporting comments allows team members to share feedback and annotations with stakeholders who may not have access to Figma. Comments can be exported as a PDF or text file, providing a comprehensive overview of the feedback received. This feature is useful for documenting design reviews and sharing feedback with external parties.

Example:

Consider a design review meeting with stakeholders. By exporting comments, the design team can provide a detailed report of the feedback received, ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and that the design process is transparent.

7. Collaborative Feedback

Collaborative feedback in Figma allows multiple team members to provide feedback simultaneously. This feature promotes real-time collaboration and ensures that all perspectives are considered. Collaborative feedback can be managed using the comment tool and real-time editing features.

Example:

Imagine a design sprint where multiple team members are reviewing a prototype. By using collaborative feedback, the team can provide real-time feedback, discuss changes, and make decisions collectively, ensuring that the design evolves based on diverse insights.

8. Feedback Integration with Agile

Integrating feedback with Agile processes ensures that feedback is incorporated into the iterative design and development cycles. In Figma, feedback can be linked to user stories and acceptance criteria, ensuring that design changes are aligned with Agile principles. This integration helps in delivering high-quality designs that meet user needs and project goals.

Example:

Consider an Agile project where user stories are defined for a new feature. By integrating feedback from Figma into the Agile process, the design team can ensure that changes are prioritized and implemented based on user needs and project requirements, promoting a user-centered and efficient design process.

By mastering these concepts—adding comments, annotating designs, resolving comments, comment threads, notifications, exporting comments, collaborative feedback, and feedback integration with Agile—you can effectively use Figma to facilitate transparent, efficient, and collaborative design processes.