As a UI designer, your toolbox is constantly evolving. New tools and plugins are released all the time that can help streamline your Figma workflow. While it may seem tempting to try every new plugin under the sun, some standouts have become essential for any seasoned designer. Here are five Figma plugins that I believe every UI designer should have in their toolkit.
Dimension
The first plugin is Dimension. As the name suggests, Dimension displays the pixel width and height of any component in your Figma file. This sounds simple, but it’s incredibly useful when you need to ensure elements are precisely sized for mocks or prototypes. I’m always tweaking things at the last minute, and Dimension saves me from having to manually check dimensions over and over. It integrates seamlessly into Figma’s interface and takes almost no effort to use once installed.
Auto Rename
Next on the list is Files Auto Rename. For any designer working on multiple versions of the same design system or project, this plugin is a lifesaver. With a single click, it automatically renames all your Figma files based on customizable naming conventions you set. No more having messy filenames like “homepage_v4_final_final_lastchance.fig” – you can establish clear structures like “Project Name – Sprint 3 – Homepage.fig” instead. It only takes minutes to set up the rules, and then your file organization is handled for you as projects evolve.
Auto Layout
If you design for multiple screen sizes like responsive web or mobile apps, the Third plugin is crucial: Auto Layout. It intelligently positions and scales layers based on breakpoints you define. Making consistent changes across all devices is simplified considerably versus manually resizing elements one by one. Like Dimension, it’s non-intrusive and works seamlessly in the background until you need it. The paid version even allows specifying responsive text sizes, which can be a real time saver on long form content like articles.
Figma to Framer
prototyping is fundamental to the design process, and Enter the fourth indispensable plugin – Figma to Framer. With a single click, it exports all layers, components, and interactions from your Figma file directly into a new Framer project. No more copying and pasting elements or manually reconstructing designs – the handoff is seamless. Developers get a head start on builds while you continue refining in Figma. The free version works well but Pro upgrades allow automatic remapping of components on export. For serious prototyping endeavors, it’s worth the investment of a few dollars per month.
Sketch Measure
Lastly, a newcomer plugin that’s already become a staple is Sketch Measure. As someone who spends half their time in Sketch and Figma, I appreciate being able to see layer dimensions translated between the two apps. Measure bridges this gap by displaying measurements in the opposite format of whichever program you’re using at the time. It’s satisfying to no longer have to do mental math conversions when sharing specs between Sketch and Figma. The developer is also very responsive to feature requests, which bodes well for continued enhancements down the line.
In summary, these five essential Figma plugins – Dimension, Files Auto Rename, Auto Layout, Figma to Framer, and Sketch Measure – represent workhorses that enhance my productivity on a daily basis. No UI designer’s toolkit is complete without them. I’d be lost without some of these plugins automating repetitive tasks so I can focus my energy on the creative work. What other Figma plugins would you add to this list of must-haves?