In the digital design world, tools like Figma are incredibly powerful for detailed design and prototyping. But when it comes to visual planning, is Figma the best tool for the job? In many teams, Figma handles everything from structure planning to the final design stages, but is it really optimized for every phase of the workflow? Enter Claritee, a tool designed specifically for the planning stage before diving into the design process.
Why Visual Planning Matters
Before starting any design project, teams need to align on several key elements:
• Content structure
• User flows
• Functionality
• Stakeholder input
If any of these are unclear, you risk costly revisions, time wasted in back-and-forths, and even project delays. That’s why planning matters. The clearer the vision at the start, the smoother the design process will be.
Figma: Great for Design, Not So Much for Planning
Figma excels when it comes to detailed design and prototyping. It’s an industry leader in creating pixel-perfect designs and interactive prototypes. However, it wasn’t built with high-level planning in mind. When teams try to organize their structure, prioritize content, or collaborate on the overall vision in Figma, they may find it challenging. Here’s why:
• Lack of focus on content-first approach: Figma is primarily a visual design tool. While you can map out a design, it’s harder to focus solely on content, hierarchy, and functionality without getting distracted by visual details.
• Complex for non-designers: Developers, project managers, and stakeholders who aren’t designers can find it overwhelming to collaborate in Figma during the early stages.
• Revisions and miscommunication: Without a clear, well-defined plan, it’s easy to encounter miscommunication between team members. The lack of early alignment often leads to more revisions during the design process.
Claritee: Visual Planning Done Right
This is where Claritee comes in. Claritee was created specifically to fill the gap between ideation and design, giving teams a clear and structured way to plan before starting to create in tools like Figma. Here’s how Claritee differentiates itself:
• High-level planning: Claritee allows you to plan and map out the project’s structure before you even start designing. It’s like creating a blueprint that helps you organize and prioritize content, user flows, and features.
• Content-first approach: While Figma is visual-first, Claritee puts content and structure at the center. It lets teams organize the hierarchy of information and create a strong foundation that ensures clarity in later design stages.
• Collaboration made simple: Claritee simplifies collaboration by offering a tool that is intuitive for both designers and non-designers. Stakeholders, developers, and project managers can easily contribute without being bogged down by complex design interfaces.
• Seamless alignment: Because Claritee enables teams to align early on the overall vision, there’s less chance of miscommunication and fewer revisions during the design process.
• Efficient transition to Figma: Once the blueprint is finalized in Claritee, the design process in Figma becomes much smoother. Designers can focus on creating visually stunning experiences without wondering if the structure and content are correct.
• Time and cost savings: By addressing potential issues in the planning stage, Claritee helps reduce costly revisions and miscommunications in both design and development. When teams have a clear roadmap, they can execute faster and avoid unnecessary expenses during the development phase.
Final Thoughts
While Figma is essential for the detailed design and prototyping stages, it’s not optimized for the planning and alignment phase. Claritee was designed to tackle this challenge, offering a content-first, high-level approach that ensures everyone is on the same page before moving into detailed design. Together, Claritee and Figma make a powerful duo, each playing its role at different stages of the design process.
For teams looking to reduce revisions, save time, and streamline collaboration, Claritee is the ideal tool to bridge the gap between ideation and design. So, before you jump into Figma, make sure your team is aligned with a well-thought-out visual plan in Claritee!
