“From Idea to Interface: Crafting Your First Prototype in Figma”

  Santos, Churt Noel S.

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CS Seminars and Educational Trips

BLOG REPORT:
“From Idea to Interface: Crafting Your First Prototype in Figma”

NOTE: Time was moved from 2PM-4PM to 9AM-11AM

On October 31, 2024, ByteWise Matrix hosted an insightful seminar titled "From Idea to Interface: Crafting Your First Prototype in Figma." Held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Gordon College Function Hall, the event welcomed design enthusiasts and aspiring creators for an interactive learning experience. Our guest speaker, Ms. Fatrizha Aleja Boongaling, captivated the audience with her expertise as she guided them through the intricacies of Figma, focusing on practical prototyping skills.

A highlight of the session was Ms. Fatrizha’s live demonstration. Step by step, she walked participants through creating a Figma prototype, turning ideas into interactive designs. Her engaging, hands-on approach kept everyone involved, encouraging participants to follow along and inspiring them to apply these skills to their own projects. As the seminar unfolded, it became clear that everyone in attendance was leaving with a newfound confidence to bring their design ideas to life through Figma.

My Role as Technical Support

As the technical lead for the seminar, I had the important task of managing equipment, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring that Figma and other digital tools ran smoothly. Technical preparation became the backbone of this successful event, allowing participants to focus fully on learning rather than being distracted by tech glitches.

One key lesson I took away was the importance of clear communication, both with the speaker and with attendees. Even minor technical issues require quick resolution to keep the seminar flowing smoothly, and in a live setting, this means troubleshooting on the fly. Interacting with attendees also gave me insight into their comfort levels with Figma, enabling me to provide targeted support and contribute to a positive learning experience. It was rewarding to see how smooth technical operations could elevate the seminar, creating an environment where the content took center stage.

The seminar delivered a treasure trove of knowledge, especially in terms of real-time collaboration and prototyping techniques. One of the most valuable features Ms. Fatrizha demonstrated was Figma’s collaborative capabilities, which allow team members to work on prototypes simultaneously, making real-time adjustments and feedback possible. Moving forward, I plan to leverage this feature in my projects to enhance team efficiency and communication, especially during design-intensive phases.

The practical techniques introduced during the seminar, like auto-layout and component variants, will streamline future design projects, ensuring consistency and saving time on repetitive tasks. The hands-on session also inspired me to consider incorporating similar methods into future workshops. By providing live demonstrations and guided design exercises, I can help participants acquire practical skills that they can implement immediately—skills that streamline design workflows and promote collaboration.

The positive response to the seminar was incredibly encouraging. Many participants praised the event's smooth flow and clear structure, which made for a rewarding experience. They especially appreciated Ms. Fatrizha’s comprehensive explanation of Figma’s features and tools, which reassured us that the time and effort invested in planning were well spent. The positive feedback served as a reminder that effective preparation and organization make a world of difference, allowing participants to focus fully on the learning experience.

While the seminar was well-received, there’s always room for improvement. For future events, I suggest we dedicate more time to interactive sessions. Although the live demonstration and Q&A segment were engaging, several attendees expressed an interest in even more hands-on learning opportunities. Adding breakout sessions or guided exercises could allow participants to directly apply what they’re learning in real-time, helping them gain a more practical, in-depth understanding of Figma's tools and design techniques.

The "From Idea to Interface" seminar offered a fantastic learning experience that went beyond just introducing design tools. It emphasized the value of thoughtful design, real-time collaboration, and hands-on practice, leaving participants inspired and equipped to apply their new skills. With the enthusiastic response and constructive feedback received, ByteWise Matrix is excited to refine and expand on this seminar's format for future events, ensuring even more enriching experiences for all.