In the realm of entrepreneurship (eship) education, where ideas are the currency and innovation is the goal, having a versatile tool that can shepherd an idea from its nascent stages to a tangible prototype is invaluable. Enter Figma—a design tool that has become a cornerstone in my entrepreneurship classes — particularly ones centered around technology. Its utility spans from brainstorming sessions using Bill Moggridge’s butterfly test to crafting wireframes and building high-fidelity prototypes of applications (that can even run on a phone or tablet!). The beauty of Figma lies not just in its capabilities, but in its simplicity; students only need to master one tool to accomplish a multitude of tasks.
From Conception to Prototype
The journey from an idea’s conception to a working prototype is often fraught with challenges. Traditionally, this process might involve a suite of tools—each with its own learning curve and idiosyncrasies. However, Figma consolidates these steps into a single, cohesive platform. This streamlining is crucial in an educational setting, where time is limited and the focus should be on nurturing creativity and entrepreneurial thinking, not on navigating complex software ecosystems.
Brainstorming with the IDEO Butterfly Technique
One of the first steps in the entrepreneurial process is brainstorming, and the butterfly test (invented by Bill Moggridge and highlighted in the book Change by Design) is a favorite in my classes. This method encourages expansive thinking, allowing students to explore a wide array of ideas before narrowing them down. Tim Brown describes it in Change by Design:
“”Invented by Bill Moggridge, design thinker extraordinaire and one of the pioneers of Silicon Valley design, the butterfly test is a thoroughly unscientific but amazingly effective process for extracting a few key insights from a mass of data. Let’s imagine that by the end of a deep research phase, numerous brainstorming sessions, and endless prototypes, an entire wall of the project room has been covered with promising ideas. Each participant is then given a small number of small Post-it “ballots” to attach to the ideas they think should move forward. Members of the team flutter about the room inspecting the tableau of ideas, and before long it is clear which ones have attracted the most “butterflies.” Of course, all kinds of issues come into play, including politics and personalities, but that is what reaching consensus is all about. Give and take. Compromise and creative combination. All these and more play a part in reaching the end result. The process is not about democracy, it is about maximizing the capacities of teams to converge on the best solutions. It’s chaotic, but it works surprisingly well and can be adapted to the peculiarities of many organizations.””
Figma facilitates this process beautifully with its collaborative features. Students can simultaneously contribute to a shared canvas, sketching out ideas and building on each other’s concepts in real-time. One great tool that students can use during this phase is Jambot.
Jambot, an AI-powered assistant integrated within FigJam (a part of Figma), offers a range of functionalities that can significantly enhance brainstorming sessions like the butterfly test. This AI tool leverages OpenAI’s technology to assist users in generating ideas, organizing thoughts, and refining concepts. Imagine a student group has 50 post-it notes of business ideas, and then they’re able to connect seemingly disparate post-it thoughts together and ask an AI to brainstorm business ideas for them. Other ways to use Jambot:
- Idea Generation: Jambot’s “AI Idea Engine” can be particularly useful during the expansive phase of the butterfly test, where the goal is to generate a wide array of ideas. By inputting a concept or prompt, Jambot can provide a diverse set of suggestions, helping participants explore various possibilities and directions.
- Visualization and Organization: During the convergent phase of the butterfly test, where ideas are narrowed down and organized, Jambot can help visualize concepts using diagrams and sketches. This aids in clearer communication and helps participants see connections between different ideas, facilitating the selection of the most promising ones.
- Summarization and Refinement: After the brainstorming session, Jambot can quickly summarize the sticky notes and ideas generated. This feature is useful for wrapping up the session and ensuring that key insights are captured and can be further refined or developed
Ultimately, this fosters a dynamic environment where creativity can flourish, and ideas can evolve organically.
Wireframing: The Blueprint of Ideas (Low-Fidelity Prototyping)
Once the brainstorming phase yields a viable concept, the next step is wireframing. Wireframes serve as the blueprint for any application, outlining its structure and functionality. Figma excels here, offering a range of tools and templates that allow students to create detailed wireframes with ease. Its intuitive interface means that students can focus on the design and functionality of their application, rather than getting bogged down by technical hurdles. Moreover, Figma’s ability to create interactive prototypes from these wireframes provides students with immediate feedback, enabling them to iterate quickly and efficiently by developing a quick and dirty prototype to show to stakeholders and — sometimes, even — users. The quickness of this process also means that students aren’t as married to their product idea yet — if it only took 15 minutes to make, no big deal if you need to throw it away.
Building High-Fidelity Prototypes
The final stage in the prototyping process is the creation of high-fidelity prototypes. These prototypes are crucial as they provide a realistic representation of the final product, complete with visual design and interactive elements. Figma’s robust design tools and extensive library of components make it possible for students to bring their ideas to life with precision and creativity. The ability to test these prototypes in a simulated environment (on, say, an iPad or iPhone) allows students to refine their designs and ensure they meet user needs before moving to production.
Figma even has templates for various devices — computers, phones, tablets, and so on — that allow students to create polished-looking experiences. More than that, Figma has a library of demo applications that students can take and retool for their own needs.
A Unified Tool for Diverse Needs
What makes Figma truly remarkable is its ability to serve as a one-stop-shop for the entire design process. This is particularly beneficial in an educational context, where the goal is to equip students with practical skills they can apply in real-world scenarios. By mastering Figma, students gain proficiency in a tool that is widely used in the industry, enhancing their employability and preparing them for the challenges of the entrepreneurial world.
But Figma is more than just a design tool; it’s a catalyst for innovation and creativity in the classroom. By simplifying the design process and fostering collaboration, it empowers students to transform their ideas into reality. As an educator, there’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing that transformation, and Figma plays a pivotal role in making it happen.
If you’re looking to get started with Figma, check out this great four part series they’ve put out.