Smarter Week

How to automate it

How to automate “design screens, flows and mockups”

Here are 2 ways to spend less time on this, best first. Each comes with steps you can follow today.

120 min
typically, every day
30%
of the time can be automated
Easy
to set up

Fix 1 of 2

Software featureBest fix

Use Figma's AI features for first drafts and busywork

Figma's AI can generate first-draft layouts, fill realistic content, rename and organize layers, and find similar components, which removes much of the repetitive work around the real design decisions.

Typically saves about 25% of the time15 min to set up
  1. 1Check that Figma AI is turned on for your organization.
  2. 2Use it to generate a first layout or variants, then redesign from there with your system components.
  3. 3Use rename layers and replace content with realistic data in one click.
  4. 4Use plugins for bulk resizing and export of assets (or Figma's export presets).

Tools: Figma AI · Figma Make · Figma plugins

Fix 2 of 2

Process fix

Design from a shared component library with variables and variants

When the common pieces are components with variants and variables, screens assemble faster, assets export consistently, and developers get fewer questions.

Typically saves about 25% of the time16 h to set up
  1. 1Audit the ten most-used patterns in your files.
  2. 2Turn them into components with variants and use variables for color, spacing and type.
  3. 3Match names with the code components and document usage in the library.
  4. 4Make the library the default for new files and review drift monthly.

Tools: Figma libraries and variables · Storybook · Zeroheight

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Have you used Figma's AI to generate a first layout, fill in content or rename layers?
Figma's built-in AI can draft layouts, fill realistic content and tidy up layer names in one click, which clears away a lot of busywork.

Who does this task

Roles in our library that list this as one of their common tasks. Each guide covers the rest of that role’s week.

HourLeak · the 8-minute work audit

How many hours does this cost you?

The free 8-minute check works out where your week goes and gives you your top fixes. The team scan does the same for everyone and adds it up, so you know which leaks to fix first.

Answers are anonymous. Leaders only see team totals.

Other common tasks for UX / UI designers