💀 Why Plugins Are Killing You as a Designer · The Bunker #79
Using plugins is fine, but watch out because this is holding you back from the real learning.
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Using plugins in Figma is okay from time to time, and it especially depends on what for.
There's the key.
Using plugins is fine when it comes to:
Speeding up processes that would otherwise be much slower.
Performing actions that the program doesn't allow you to do natively.
However, you shouldn't use plugins for other cases.
Using plugins is like using shortcuts, and we already know what happens when we abuse shortcuts – ultimately, we end up taking more time than if we had done it ourselves.
The problem with plugins is that often you don't know what's happening; errors occur without you realizing.
They automate tasks and give you the final result without you knowing what happened in the middle.
Using plugins is fine, but I would recommend using them only after you know how to do the vast majority of things.
And thus, you use them only to speed up the process you already know.
For example, when trying to create a color palette, many people use color generators, plugins, etc.
And then this gives you the final result, but do you really know what that plugin is doing to deliver that result?
If you didn't have plugins, could you do the same? Do you know what HSL mode is and how to use it?
If I were learning Figma or wanted to learn new things to reach a more advanced level, I am very clear that what I would do is try to do everything as mechanically as possible, and then, if necessary, when I know how to do the task, I automate it.
The best example of all is the Figma to Webflow plugin.
"How easy it is to use the plugin and make what's in Figma automatically transfer to Webflow."
The question here is: Can you do it without the plugin?
If the answer is no, then go to Webflow University and learn how to use Webflow.
When you master Webflow, then use the tool, and that's when you'll realize that plugins and these tools are not perfect, and they are generating errors that you wouldn't otherwise know how to detect.
So using plugins is okay, but be very careful.
Remember that what is easy and fast often ends up being expensive in time and resources. If you're going to invest the time anyway, whether sooner or later, do it at the beginning :)
Still, if you ask me, I would say try to do everything manually. At least, I like to have full control over everything I do and what's happening.
Unless I have to click one button to automate 50 tasks at once, I'm not that foolish.
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