As designer, immersed in the world of digital for 1996, I witnessed the rapid evolution of the web: from the first browsers like Netscape et Internet Explorer to digital giants such as Google et Amazon. But what struck me most was the transformation of the digital tools !

In this article, we will explore the evolution of design software for 1996, highlighting iconic tools such as Photoshop, Fireworks, Sketch, Adobe XD et Figma. Each of them has contributed to shaping the landscape of the digital design, adapting to the needs of creators and technological advances.

Evolution of tools since 1990

Photoshop (1990)

Although Photoshop was launched in 1988, it's in the years 90 that it has truly taken off, becoming an essential tool for graphic designers.

En 1996, the software has introduced advanced features such as layers, filters and tools of sophisticated retouching, allowing users to create complex compositions and manipulate images with a unrivaled precision. Its intuitive interface and his great flexibility quickly made Photoshop a reference not only in the field of graphic design and photography, but also in other creative sectors.

With time, Photoshop has established itself as a multipurpose tool, suitable for both print at digital. It has become essential for the design of printed media (posters, brochures, layouts), the creation of visuals intended for the web (UI/UX, banners, visuals for social networks) and even the video post-production, thanks to features ofanimation and color correction. Its constant evolution in fact today a standard for all the content creators, whatever their field.

Fireworks (1998)

I discovered Fireworks in 1998, when Macromedia launched it as a graphic design tool specifically dedicated to web interfaces. At the time, it was a real revolution! Unlike other general design software, Fireworks was designed for the web from the outset. It offered unique features like advanced image optimization, the possibility of creating interactive prototypes, the management of reusable symbols and smooth blend of vector and bitmap graphics.

Thanks to it, I could work much more efficiently on my web projects, juggling between vector and bitmap tools. without restraint. Its interface was much lighter and more intuitive than that of Photoshop, which, at the time, was still perceived as a real gasworks for web design. Fireworks stood out for its simplicity, speed, and efficiency, making creating interfaces much more fluid.

But what made it even more powerful was its complementarity with the Macromedia suiteIncluding Flash et DreamweaverThis trio allowed designers and developers to create much more immersive and powerful web experiences. Fireworks made it easier to integrate graphic elements into Flash animations or HTML pages designed with Dreamweaver, providing a streamlined and consistent workflow.

Unfortunately, with the acquisition of Macromedia by Adobe in 2005, Fireworks has been gradually sidelined. Adobe, which already favored Photoshop et Illustration, never really tried to evolve it. It survived for a few years, receiving only minor updates, before being officially abandoned in 2013.

When I say “abandoned in 2013”, that means that no further updates have been published. This did not stop me from continuing to work with the tool. for two more years, before finally being forced and constrained to return to Photoshop.

A real loss for the web designers of the time, who found themselves with tools that were much less suited to their specific needs. Fireworks remains today a cult software, and many designers who worked in the 2000s keep a nostalgic memory of its simplicity and its effectiveness unmatched for the web.

Sketch (2010)

When Sketch arrived in 2010, he has completely revolutionized interface design! Unlike general tools like Photoshop, which were adapted but never really optimized for the design of applications and websites, Sketch was designed from the start to meet the needs of UI/UX designers.

With his approach 100% vector, it offered unprecedented flexibility to create precise and modular interfaces. Its innovative features such as the symbols, shared styles et plugins allowed designers to design consistent and reusable design systems, thus facilitating teamwork and the evolution of projects over the long term. No more need to multiply files or tinker with complex solutions: Sketch provided a modular and efficient logic to interface design.

In addition to this, his clean interface and its excellent compatibility with other digital workflow tools (Zeplin, Abstract, InVision, etc.) have made it a favorite of UI/UX designers in record time. He quickly established himself as the essential tool, to the point of gradually replace Photoshop for the design of digital interfaces.

But despite its meteoric rise, I couldn't adopt it right away... and it was frustrating! Sketch was not available than on Mac, and in the agency where I worked at the time, we were exclusively on PCI saw other designers switching to this revolutionary tool while I remained stuck on less suitable solutions. A real frustration, especially when you know how much Sketch simplified the lives of designers!

Figma (2015)

Launched in 2015, Figma marked a real turning point in the collaborative design. Fully cloud-based and running in SaaS mode, it allows teams to work together in real time, regardless of their location. Thanks to its advanced features of interactive prototyping, vector design and component management, he quickly established himself as a essential tool for modern designers.

One of its major assets is the possibility of easily share projects, to collect instant feedback and iterate quickly, without having to manage multiple versions of files. This fluid and collaborative approach allowed Figma to establish itself on the market, competing directly Sketch and other design tools.

Our experience as beta testers

When Figma came to market in 2015, our agency had the opportunity to be a beta tester for two yearsThis allowed us to experiment and work on the tool. for free, all in regularly reporting to Figma developers based in the United States suggestions for improvements and problems encountered.

Unlike Sketch, which was exclusively available on Mac, Figma worked equally well on Mac and PC. This universal accessibility has played a key role in its rapid growth, allowing him to catch up and even overtake Sketch in a few years.

This experience strangely reminded me of my beginnings with Fireworks… But this time, we had bet on the good horse ! When you look at Figma's rapid growth and massive adoption by design teams around the world, you can't help but notice how much it has transformed the way we design and collaborate.

The rise of Figma in collaborative design:

Evolution of Figma compared to competitors:

Today, Figma has become the go-to for interface design and real-time collaboration.. Adopted by thousands of companies and design teams around the world, it has established itself as the central tool for UI/UX designers, developers and project managers. Its 100% cloud approach continues to appeal, enabling seamless and collaborative work without platform or installation constraints.

With ever more advanced features – such as variables, dynamic layouts, advanced integration with development tools and enhanced prototyping capabilities – Figma continues to innovate to meet the demands of digital professionals. The acquisition of the tool by Adobe in 2022 raised questions about its future, but for now, Figma remains independent and continues to evolve at its own pace.

Its active community, numerous plugins and expanding ecosystem make it today much more than just design software : it is a real collaborative hub that redefines how teams design and develop digital products.

 

Adobe XD (2016)

Launched in 2016, Adobe XD aimed to meet the growing demand for solutions dedicated to user experience design. At a time when designers were juggling multiple tools for the wireframing, prototyping and collaboration, Adobe offered an all-in-one solution, integrated into its creative ecosystem.

The advantages of Adobe XD

Adobe XD quickly won over audiences thanks to several key features:

Interactive prototyping : A fluid approach to creating dynamic experiences without code.

Real-time collaboration : A co-editing mode allowing teams to work simultaneously on the same file.

Integration with the Adobe suite : Native compatibility with Photoshop, Illustrator and other creative tools, facilitating designers' workflow.

With these innovations, XD has positioned itself as a serious alternative to established tools like Sketch.

Increased competition with the rise of Figma

Despite its strengths, Adobe XD quickly had to contend with Figma's growing popularity. Furthermore, its development lagged behind, remaining in beta for four years. This waiting period allowed competitors like Figma to get ahead and overtake it.

What future for Adobe XD?

En 2022, Adobe announced the acquisition of Figma for $20 billion, raising many questions about the future of Adobe XD. If this acquisition goes through, it could mean the end of active development of XD in favor of Figma.

While XD remains functional and still used by some teams, it's clear that the interface design ecosystem has largely shifted to Figma.

Conclusion

The evolution of digital tools since 1996 is a testament to the constant innovation in the design field. Each tool has provided unique solutions to the challenges faced by designers, while adapting to new technologies and user needs. Today, tools like Figma continue to redefine the way designers collaborate and create, opening the door to new possibilities in the world of digital design.

It can be said that Figma has outdistanced all its competitors and has become a reference tool, essential for any designer.

 

 

Fabien de Gezelle, UI Designer at UX-Republic