Beyond Figma

In recent years, Figma has become the undisputed center of the UI/UX design workflow. Its real-time collaboration, browser-based accessibility, and component-driven structure reshaped how teams design digital products. But while Figma dominates interface design, Adobe tools remain essential—not as competitors, but as powerful extensions that elevate the quality and depth of UI/UX work.

The UI/UX process is not just about assembling screens. It’s about visual storytelling, brand expression, motion, detail, and craft. And this is where Adobe still excels.

1. Adobe Provides Depth Beyond Interface Layouts

Figma is exceptional for structure, systems, and collaboration, but Adobe tools offer specialized creative depth:

• Photoshop → pixel-level control, advanced retouching, texture creation, matte painting, compositing

• Illustrator → precise vector illustration, iconography, complex branding graphics

• After Effects → high-end interaction animations, motion studies, micro-interaction prototypes

• Adobe Animate / Premiere → product videos, onboarding animations, marketing visuals

These tools help designers create visual assets and motion studies that Figma alone cannot replicate with the same fidelity or power.

2. Branding Workflows Still Depend on Adobe

A strong digital product is built on a strong brand identity. Brand systems—logos, typography, illustration styles, marketing materials—are often still crafted using Adobe tools, especially:

• Illustrator for logo design

• InDesign for brand books

• Photoshop for visual exploration

• After Effects for brand animations

Figma offers consistency, but Adobe offers craft.

This craft becomes the foundation of the visual language designers bring into UI.

3. Motion Design Is a Core Part of UX—And Adobe Leads It

Microinteractions and motion principles are now essential to good UX. They communicate hierarchy, guide navigation, reduce cognitive load, and create emotional resonance.

While Figma’s motion capabilities are improving, they cannot match:

• After Effects’ timing curves

• advanced easing control

• complex layer-based animation

• transitions that simulate real app behavior

Motion prototypes built in After Effects often become the blueprint for development.

4. Adobe Encourages Exploration Beyond Constraints

Figma is systematic, structured, and highly efficient—perfect for product teams.
Adobe tools, on the other hand, allow designers to explore freely:

• experimenting with unusual compositions

• pushing visual boundaries

• developing brand-led concepts

• creating high-fidelity hero visuals

• exploring different atmospheres and moods

Adobe is where designers can think beyond components—a space essential for creativity.

5. Marketing, Campaigns, and Product Visuals Still Run on Adobe

Digital products aren’t only screens—they also require:

• landing page visuals

• social media campaigns

• app store graphics

• product videos

• promotional animations

These materials demand a level of polish and production quality that Adobe’s suite is built for.

Figma designs the product.
Adobe designs the story around it.

6. Professional Pipelines Still Integrate Adobe

Large teams—especially at agencies, tech companies, and global brands—still rely on Adobe for:

• preparing visuals for print and digital marketing

• cross-functional collaboration with motion, marketing, and 3D teams

• exporting assets in advanced formats

• building visuals that require precise color management

Adobe’s ecosystem is still the “common language” across multiple creative disciplines.