Mission & Method of Evergreen: Why Figma Wins - kwokchain

Mission & Method of Evergreen: Why Figma Wins - kwokchain

In today's fast-paced society, where information is constantly being generated and consumed, it can be challenging to find reliable and valuable knowledge. The internet is filled with recycled and repackaged content that captures our clicks but doesn't contribute to genuine understanding over the long-term. This is where Evergreen comes in, aiming to organize the internet's information for personal use. Their belief is that time spent learning thoroughly is well invested, and the most important thing a person can do is help another person know more.

Similarly, Figma has revolutionized the design industry by focusing on a browser-first approach rather than a cloud-first approach. They understand that design is larger than just designers and have built their product to cater to everyone involved in the design process. This inclusive approach has driven Figma's growth and compounding scale, as they prioritize collaboration and productivity across companies.

One of the key factors in Figma's success is their cross-side network effect. By bringing both designers and non-designers into their platform, they have created a network effect that benefits all users. This network effect has been a significant source of their compounding success over the years. Figma's challenge now is to create global network effects that make their platform more useful to all users as it continues to grow.

To achieve this, Figma has introduced plugins and communities as part of their ecosystem loops. Plugins allow designers to augment their workflows and easily share them with others, creating collective progress available to all users. Figma has recognized the importance of a plugin ecosystem and has taken steps to make it more accessible and user-friendly. They have a centralized approval process for plugins, similar to Apple's app store, ensuring safety, usability, and legal compliance.

Figma's heavy focus on ease of plugin creation is another aspect that sets them apart. They have designed their plugin system to enable designers to become developers and create plugins for their own workflows. This approach empowers designers and encourages the growth of the plugin ecosystem.

However, Figma must make careful decisions about the direction and scale of their platform. They need to categorize plugins, determine the criteria for discovery, and decide which areas should be absorbed into their core product. These decisions must be intentional and guided by a meta-framework to ensure the platform's growth is strategic and impactful.

In conclusion, both Evergreen and Figma share a common goal of providing valuable knowledge and tools to their users. Evergreen aims to organize the internet's information, while Figma focuses on revolutionizing the design process. By prioritizing collaboration, inclusivity, and creating a strong ecosystem, Figma has positioned itself for long-term success. To further enhance their platform, Figma should continue to improve their value and spread across companies, foster global network effects, and make intentional decisions about the growth of their plugin ecosystem.

Actionable Advice:

1. Prioritize deep learning: Take the time to thoroughly understand important concepts and avoid shallow consumption of information. Invest your time in learning that will contribute to genuine understanding over the long-term.
2. Embrace collaboration: Whether you're a designer or a non-designer, recognize the value of collaboration in your work. Involve others in the process, share ideas, and create a cross-side network effect that benefits everyone.
3. Foster a plugin ecosystem: If you're involved in product development, consider building a plugin ecosystem that augments your core product. Empower users to create plugins for their own workflows and foster collective progress that benefits all users.