The Mechanism of Sensibility: Effort as Entertainment

Hatched by Glasp
Jul 22, 2023
4 min read
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The Mechanism of Sensibility: Effort as Entertainment
Effort and enjoyment are not often thought of as going hand in hand. However, when it comes to developing a sense of skill or talent, the key is to find something you love and make the effort feel like a form of entertainment. Even though it may appear to others as hard work, to the individual, it is an enjoyable process. This mindset allows for continuous effort and the honing of one's sensibility. In essence, the saying "practice makes perfect" holds true here. While results are essential in work, those who genuinely enjoy what they do find fulfillment in the process itself. The absence of a fear of failure that comes with genuine passion is a significant advantage. Passion cannot be forced upon someone, and it cannot be bought with money. Ultimately, the intangible aspects of our pursuits hold the most value.
Why Figma Wins: The Power of a Browser-First Approach
Figma, a design tool, has made significant strides in the industry. One of the critical factors behind its success is its browser-first approach. Unlike other design tools that primarily focus on cloud storage, Figma has prioritized the browser experience. This decision was made possible by leveraging new technologies like WebGL, Operational Transforms, and CRDTs. By being browser-first, Figma enables designers to collaborate seamlessly and eliminates conflicts when editing designs. This collaborative aspect sets Figma apart from its competitors, as it allows for real-time collaboration and faster feedback loops.
Additionally, Figma has recognized that design is not limited to designers alone. They have built a cross-side network effect by involving both designers and non-designers in their platform. This approach has been crucial in driving Figma's growth and success. By bringing non-designers into the design process, Figma has created a more inclusive and productive environment. This cross-side network effect has been a significant contributor to Figma's compounding success over the years.
Furthermore, Figma has focused on building an ecosystem through plugins. Plugins allow designers to augment their workflows, gain new abilities, and easily share them with others. The availability of plugins not only enhances the user experience but also contributes to the growth of the platform. Figma has taken inspiration from the success and struggles of other design tools, such as Sketch, to develop a robust plugin ecosystem. They have implemented a centralized approval process for plugins, ensuring safety, usability, and legal compliance. Figma's emphasis on ease of plugin creation has also empowered designers to become developers themselves.
The Future of Figma: Building a Global Network Effect
While Figma has achieved success within companies, its next challenge lies in creating a global network effect. To break through the limitations of being valued and spread only within companies, Figma must expand its reach and impact across the entire design ecosystem. They have already taken steps towards this goal by launching Figma Plugins and Communities. These initiatives push the boundaries of collaboration and productivity across companies. By including the entire design process in their platform, Figma offers a better abstraction layer and allows recipients to see the underlying components, assets, and interactions within a design.
To truly become a platform, Figma must continue to evolve and adapt. They need to make intentional decisions regarding plugin categories, discovery, and the overall framework of their ecosystem. The choices they make now will shape the future trajectory of the platform. Additionally, Figma must align product and core distribution loops to catalyze growth. This alignment will ensure that Figma's value and spread extend beyond individual users and benefit the entire ecosystem.
Actionable Advice:
- 1. Embrace the process: Find something you love and make the effort feel like entertainment. Enjoying the journey and being passionate about what you do will lead to continuous improvement and a honed sensibility.
- 2. Prioritize collaboration: Whether you're a designer or not, recognize the value of involving various stakeholders in the design process. Embrace a cross-side network effect to foster a more inclusive and productive environment.
- 3. Foster an ecosystem: If you're building a platform or product, focus on creating an ecosystem that goes beyond individual use cases. Encourage plugin development, ensure safety and usability, and provide a centralized approval process. By doing so, you can leverage collective progress and drive compounding growth.
In conclusion, the mechanism of sensibility relies on turning effort into entertainment. When we find something we love, effort becomes a source of enjoyment rather than a burden. Figma's success stems from its browser-first approach, cross-side network effect, and plugin ecosystem. By embracing collaboration and building a global network effect, Figma has the potential to become a powerful platform in the design industry. As individuals, we can apply these principles to our own pursuits and strive for continuous improvement.
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