Exploring AI through play
Playground files are a unique part of Figma's product culture: guided sandboxes that help users learn new features through hands-on exploration rather than documentation. When Figma AI launched, I co-created the AI Playground file with the product and AI teams to help users across all skill levels build confidence with generative tools without fear of breaking anything.
3 things shaped the work:
- Contextualising what AI can do: I designed examples that helped users understand each feature's potential in their actual design flow, not in the abstract.
- Teaching the importance of prompting: I showed users how prompt quality directly affects AI outputs, making the relationship between input and result feel transparent.
- Creating space for safe experimentation: Hands-on instructions let users try, preview, and iterate without consequences, reducing the intimidation around generative tools.
Throughout development, I worked closely with the product and AI teams to contextualise complex updates into approachable learning moments, while gathering insights that fed back into future iterations.
The file contributed to 30% feature adoption within the first month of launch across Figma's global user base.
I also helped localise a keynote for Config APAC 2024, presented by Yuhki Yamashita (CPO of Figma) and Jordan Singer, and demoed an AI feature live at the event, translating global product narratives into something that landed for a regional audience.
Could have not done it without these people: Mallory Dean, Miggi, Jordan Singer and other Figmates 🙂