Adobe XD Discontinued: What This Means for Creatives & Employers

In a recent move, Adobe has chosen to remove its design tool, Adobe XD, as a standalone app from its Creative Cloud launcher. This comes as a pending acquisition of the Figma platform is in the works.

This decision has left many creatives and employers wondering what this means for their UX production.

Adobe XD has been a trusted and relied-upon application for many UX/UI design professionals, so it is essential to recognize what a potential switch to Figma could mean for those in the creative space, as well as employers who need knowledgeable professionals with proficient Figma skills on their teams.

What is Adobe XD?

Adobe XD is a vector-based design tool specifically designed to provide UX professionals with the tools they need to create interactive prototypes and designs.

It also featured integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud products, allowing for easy collaboration between departments.

What is Figma?

Figma is a browser-based design and prototyping tool, much like XD. It’s focused on streamlining the design process by bringing collaborative tools to the forefront of its interface.

It also allows for real-time collaboration between designers, developers, and stakeholders, making it easier than ever to stay up to date with projects in progress.

What does Adobe XD removal mean for employers?

The potential discontinuation of Adobe XD could mean new hiring considerations, additional training costs, and project delays for employers.

Project delays

The transition from Adobe XD to Figma may also cause project delays, as teams work to become comfortable with the new platform.

This could mean additional time and resources spent on getting projects back on track, so it is important for employers to recognize this possibility and plan accordingly.

Hiring considerations

Employers looking to hire UX/UI professionals may need to adjust their hiring criteria to include those who are proficient in Figma, as Adobe XD will no longer be an option.

This could mean that employers may have to look for candidates with a solid understanding of the platform’s interface and features, or they may need to invest in upskilling their existing teams.

Training costs

If a company’s UX/UI teams have been using Adobe XD as their primary tool, they may now have to invest in training for their employees to become proficient in using Figma.

This could mean additional costs for the company in training programs or training consultants.

What does Adobe XD removal mean for creatives?

The removal of Adobe XD from the Adobe Creative Cloud launcher could mean a possible transition to Figma, a new learning curve, and additional costs for creatives.

Possible transition to Figma

The removal of Adobe XD could mean that creatives may need to transition their skills over to the Figma platform.

Figma has been Adobe XD’s biggest competitor, and many creatives argue that this web-based tool is a more flexible and powerful tool for prototyping designs.

Figma learning curve

The main challenge that creatives will need to overcome is the learning curve associated with Figma, as it may require some substantial time and effort to transition from Adobe XD.

Learning a new design tool can be challenging, but there are plenty of resources available to help creatives make the most of their experience — such as online tutorials and support forums.

Adobe Creative Cloud cost implications

It’s important to note that those who didn’t secure an XD subscription prior to its removal can still access the app via the Creative Cloud All Apps plan.

However, this plan offers a package of over 20 Adobe apps and begins at $54.99 per month — a significant increase from the $9.99 per month cost of the standalone Adobe XD app.

Adobe Figma acquisition regulatory challenges

Adding a level of complication to the deal, European officials are set to investigate Adobe’s $20 billion acquisition of Figma due to concerns that it might reduce competition in the tech sector.

This inquiry, which could last several months, may potentially block the deal.

Despite this hurdle, Adobe has already phased out Adobe XD as a standalone product, indicating its move towards integrating Figma.

This situation reflects the regulatory challenges big tech faces while still progressing with strategic changes to stay competitive.

Transitioning from Adobe XD to Figma

While no official announcements about Adobe XD’s discontinuation have been made, Adobe’s decision to remove Adobe XD could have an impact on both creatives and employers.

Creatives may need to invest time in learning the new platform, while employers may need to consider changing their hiring criteria or investing in upskilling existing employees.

Ultimately, this decision could bring some much-needed innovation to the UX/UI design space — but it is essential for everyone involved to recognize the implications and have a solid strategy in place.

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