Collaborative design and constant iteration are essential in the development of digital products. Figma offers a branching feature that allows teams to work in parallel without affecting the main file. we will explore how to effectively utilize branching in Figma, focusing on its application in design systems, real-world cases encountered by the Galatea team, and the benefits it provides.
What are Branches in Figma?
Branches in Figma are parallel versions of a design file that enable experimentation and changes without impacting the main design. This functionality is ideal for team collaboration and safe experimentation.
Necessary Plans to Use Branches
To utilize branches in Figma, you must be on the Organization or Enterprise plan. This feature is not available on the Professional plan. Additionally, users need a paid seat within the organization or workspace to access branching capabilities. This ensures that only those responsible for the design system files can create and merge a branch.
Benefits of Using Branches in Design Systems
1. Enhanced Team Collaboration
Branches allow multiple designers to work simultaneously on different aspects of a project without interference. This is crucial in large teams, as it facilitates communication and continuous feedback, maintaining an efficient and organized workflow.
Real-World Example: The design team had to work with new specifications, including external designers over a year-long period. To avoid granting editing access to all external designers while ensuring that the design and final results remained under the control of the design system managers, branches were created, granting permissions only in those specific branches.
2. Facilitated Experimentation
Testing new ideas and concepts is fundamental in design. Branches provide a safe space for experimentation, allowing for the exploration of new functionalities, different visual styles, or A/B testing without compromising the main design. This fosters creativity and innovation within the team.
Branches in Figma are particularly useful for usability testing, as they allow evaluators to interact with prototype versions without the risk of accidental modifications by other collaborators. This functionality ensures that the design remains consistent throughout the testing process, facilitating a more accurate and controlled evaluation by users.
3. Version Control and Change Management
Branches offer effective version control. You can see exactly what changes were made and who made them, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the design system. Ensuring that all changes are reviewed and approved before being implemented in the main file is essential to avoid errors and maintain design consistency.
Practical Example: In the context of a design system, suppose there was a need to study how to improve tokenization. Thanks to branches, the team could experiment with different tokens and assess their real impact on the components safely, without affecting the global system. This allows for adjustments and optimizations before changes are visible to all users, ensuring that only effective improvements are implemented in the final design.
4. Risk Reduction
Working in a branch minimizes the risk of introducing errors or inconsistencies into the main design. If something goes wrong, you can always revert to the original file without losing time or work. This is especially useful during the development phases of new functionalities or significant redesigns.
5. Documentation and Traceability
Branches allow for clear documentation and traceability of changes. You can document the purpose of each branch, the changes made, and the results obtained. This creates a detailed history that can be very useful for future reference and onboarding new team members.
Real-World Example: Thanks to this documentation and the creation of branches, our design system was able to maintain better control over component versions for QA and development. An Excel sheet was created to explain exactly what was done in each branch and version, allowing for detailed and efficient tracking of iterations and their impacts before applying them to the main design.
How to Use Branches in Figma
Creating a Branch
To create a branch, select the option from the main file menu. This generates an exact copy of the file in its current state.
Working in the Branch
In this parallel copy, you can make changes, add new functionalities, or experiment with different designs without the risk of interfering with the main file.
Note: Keep in mind that anything changed in the main file must be updated in the branch before merging. Therefore, it is advisable to minimize work in the original file once branches are in use.
Review and Approval
Once changes are ready, request a review. Team members can review and comment on the changes within the branch, facilitating collaboration and ensuring high-quality changes.
If the branch requires additional adjustments, the reviewer can suggest changes directly in Figma. These suggested changes will appear to the designer, which is extremely helpful when it is still uncertain whether to merge the branch. This process helps ensure that only thoroughly reviewed and agreed-upon modifications are integrated into the main file.
Use Cases for Branches in Figma
Development of New Features
When working on a new feature for an application, branches allow designers and developers to collaborate without disrupting the ongoing work in the main file. For instance, if a team is tasked with creating a new dashboard component, they can branch off to develop and refine the design, conduct user testing, and gather feedback. Once the feature is polished and approved, it can be merged back into the main file, ensuring that all changes are documented and traceable.
A/B Testing
Branches are also ideal for A/B testing different design variations. Designers can create separate branches for each version of a UI element or workflow, allowing stakeholders to review and compare options side by side. This approach makes it easier to gather feedback and make data-driven decisions about which design to implement in the final product.
Client Feedback
In scenarios where client feedback is needed, branches provide a straightforward way to present multiple design options. A designer can create a branch for each option, allowing clients to review and comment on their preferences. This method streamlines the feedback process and ensures that client input is integrated efficiently into the design.
Key Takeaways
Figma's branching feature is a powerful tool that enhances collaboration, experimentation, and version control within design systems. By allowing teams to work in parallel, it minimizes risks and fosters creativity while maintaining the integrity of the main design.
Implementing branches in your design workflow can lead to more organized processes, clearer documentation, and ultimately a higher-quality product. As design teams continue to grow and evolve, leveraging tools like Figma's branching will become increasingly vital in delivering exceptional user experiences.
