Use Figma Gemini AI in your design workflow

The quick answer

Figma's partnership with Google adds Gemini AI directly into your design tools. Here is what you can do with it right now:

1. Use the Figma Gemini AI "Make Image" tool to generate visuals from a text prompt.
2. Edit specific details within your images using simple text commands.
3. Accelerate your creative process with image generation that is now twice as fast.
4. Experiment with product concepts and website visuals without leaving the Figma app.

What is the Figma Gemini AI update?

Figma now includes Google's advanced generative AI models. This integration puts powerful AI tools directly into the design platform used by over 13 million people every month. The goal is to remove tedious manual tasks and speed up the creative process.

This means you can generate and edit images with simple text prompts, helping your team explore ideas more efficiently. The core technology comes from Google Cloud’s top AI models, including Gemini 1.5 Pro, Gemini 1.5 Flash, and Imagen 2.

Why this partnership matters for your workflow

This update is more than just a new feature. It changes the fundamental workflow for designers and marketing teams. Instead of spending time searching stock photo sites or using separate AI image tools, you can create what you need instantly within your design file.

Early tests show the new "Make Image" feature is about twice as fast, cutting image generation latency by 50%. This speed allows for rapid iteration and experimentation, helping you find the perfect visual for a design without breaking your focus. This is a critical update for anyone with a website to social, fully managed on a monthly plan.

A step by step guide to using Figma's Gemini AI features

Putting these new tools into practice is straightforward. Follow this process to integrate AI-powered image generation into your next project.

Step 1: Access the "Make Image" feature

Find the new generative AI features within your Figma interface. They are integrated with Figma's existing toolset. Look for options like "Make Image" or similar AI-powered icons, often located in the toolbar or accessible via a right-click menu.

These features are available to all Figma customers with AI access. There is no complex setup required. The tools are designed to feel like a natural part of the platform.

Step 2: Write an effective image prompt

Your results depend on the quality of your prompt. Be specific. Instead of "a dog," try "a photorealistic image of a golden retriever puppy sitting in a sunny field of grass, facing the camera."

Include details about:

• Subject: The main person, object, or character.
• Style: Photorealistic, cartoon, watercolor, 3D render, flat icon.
• Setting: The background and environment.
• Lighting: Bright sunlight, moody shadows, neon glow.
• Composition: Close-up, wide shot, bird's-eye view.

The Figma Gemini AI integration uses powerful models that understand natural language. Write your prompt as if you were describing the image to a human artist.

Step 3: Generate and refine your image

Once you enter your prompt, the AI will generate several visual options. This happens directly on your Figma canvas, allowing you to see the images in the context of your design.

If the first results are not perfect, refine your prompt. Add more detail or change the style. For example, add "in the style of a minimalist line drawing" or "with a dark, cinematic color palette." The speed of Gemini 1.5 Flash means you can iterate multiple times in just a few minutes.

Step 4: Edit images with text commands

One of the most powerful aspects is image editing. Select an area of your generated image you want to change. Use a simple text command to describe the edit.

For example, you can select a person's shirt and type "change the shirt color to blue." Or you could highlight an empty space on a table and type "add a cup of coffee." This eliminates the need for complex editing in external software like Photoshop. It keeps your entire design workflow inside Figma.

How Gemini AI improves your team's efficiency

This integration provides more than just a new tool; it offers a new way of working. It directly impacts speed, collaboration, and creativity across your entire team.

Faster content creation for marketers

Marketers can now quickly generate custom visuals for social media posts, blog headers, and ad campaigns. Instead of relying on a limited stock photo budget, you can create unique, on-brand images for any context. This is especially useful for teams that need a high volume of visual content.

An efficient visual workflow is key to successful social media management. With Figma's AI, you can design a post and generate its hero image in the same file.

Rapid prototyping for UI/UX designers

UI and UX designers can use AI-generated images as placeholders or final assets in their mockups. Need a set of user avatars? Generate 10 different ones in seconds. Need a background image for a hero section? Create a dozen options to test.

This speed helps designers build more realistic prototypes faster. It allows you to test concepts with lifelike visuals from the very beginning of the process, ensuring your designs are built to convert.

Enhanced creativity for brand designers

Generative AI is a powerful tool for brainstorming. Brand designers can explore new visual directions without committing hours to a single concept. You can experiment with different styles, color palettes, and compositions for a campaign, helping you discover creative ideas you might not have considered otherwise.

Key AI models powering Figma

Figma's new capabilities are powered by three specific AI models developed by Google. Each one serves a distinct purpose in the creative workflow.

• Gemini 1.5 Flash: This model is optimized for speed. It is responsible for the 50% reduction in image generation latency. You will use it for quick iterations and when you need a good result fast.
• Gemini 1.5 Pro: This is a more powerful, multi-modal model. It excels at understanding complex prompts that might include both text and images. Use it for more nuanced or detailed image generation tasks.
• Imagen 2: This is Google's advanced text-to-image model, known for producing high-quality, photorealistic images. It helps ensure the final visuals are crisp, detailed, and aesthetically pleasing.

Together, these models provide a balanced toolkit. You get the speed of Flash for quick work, the intelligence of Pro for complex tasks, and the quality of Imagen 2 for polished results. This technology is a core part of what makes web design built to rank effective in today's market.

What this means in a competitive landscape

Figma is not the only design tool using AI. Adobe has Firefly integrated into its Creative Suite, and Canva has its Magic Studio. However, Figma's approach is unique.

It is focused entirely on the product design and collaborative workflow. While other tools may target illustrators or social media creators, Figma’s Figma Gemini AI integration is built for teams creating websites, apps, and digital products. The emphasis on speed and in-app integration reinforces Figma's position as a central hub for product development.

By partnering with Google, a leader in AI research, Figma ensures its users have access to state-of-the-art technology. This move solidifies its role as an essential tool for modern businesses that prioritize efficient, collaborative, and AI-driven design.