How an adaptive onboarding experience could empower designers and accelerate theirgrowthIllustration byAuthorImagine opening Figma for the first timeyoure eager to start designing, but as soon as the interface loads, youre confronted with a dense array of tools and hidden featureslayers, components, auto layout, prototyping options, and plugins. That initial excitement quickly turns into hesitation.Where do you evenstart?As a university-level instructor teaching design software, I see this struggle often. And its not just Figmathis is a universal challenge for those using professional design tools for the firsttime.Overloaded interfaces can overwhelm, while minimalist UIs can be just as frustrating, with essential features buried in obscure menus. In both cases, the cognitive load shifts from creating to simply figuring out how to navigate the software.But what if onboarding felt less like trial and error and more like guided discovery? Imagine unlocking tools gradually, earning achievements as you master featureslike leveling up in agame.Instead of a blank slate and an overwhelming toolbar, novice designers could follow a structured, gamified learning path that builds confidence while keeping the sense of discovery alive.Figmas Current OnboardingBefore diving into gamification, its worth noting Figmas current onboarding process. It primarily relies on a short introductory tour, fundamental tutorials, in-app tooltips, and, of course, the Figma community. While helpful for some, these methods often fall short for designers seeking a structured learningpath.https://medium.com/media/6eaa2f5c898f5f1f3faadb8dae3cb1ee/hrefDesigners are often left to explore and learn at their own pace, which can lead to frustration when facing complex features. This unstructured approach highlights the potential for a more guided onboarding experience.Gamified Progression for FigmaUsersRather than presenting every tool upfront, what if Figma offered an adaptive UIone that progressively introduces features based on how designers interact with the software?Envision a system integrating:Progressive UI ModeAdvanced tools like Variants and Interactive Components remain hidden until designers opt in or naturally reach a point where they need them, keeping the interface focused.Feature Unlocks by InteractionKey tools like Auto Layout and Components become available as designers successfully work with foundational elements like frames and text, ensuring a smooth learningcurve.Skill Progression & RewardsProgress indicators and achievement badges track mastery of core tools, providing motivation while keeping the experience streamlined. Designers can optionally share milestones with the Figma community or teammates.Guided, Hands-on LearningInteractive challenges and guided prototypes reinforce feature discovery directly within real Figma files, allowing designers to learn bydoing.This wouldnt be a restrictive gamification model. Instead, it would align complexity with a designers skill level, rewarding proficiency with deeper functionality.While progress indicators and achievements arent new in software tools, their value comes from being thoughtfully integrated into the workflow. By aligning feature access with proficiency, Figma can enhance usability, retention, andmastery.A similar, though less gamified, onboarding method is used with production software like AutoCAD (tailored workspaces), Blender (gradual tool introduction through tutorials), and Notion (progressive feature disclosure).Even design tools like Adobe offer customizable workspaces. However, their UIs do not dynamically evolve based on user skill level or achievements.Adobe Illustrator workspace optionsBy combining gamification with progressive feature unlocks, Figma could create a UI that adapts with the designersurfacing tools at the right time to optimize both learning and efficiency.The Power of GamificationResearch shows that gamification boosts engagement, knowledge retention, and learning outcomes through game-like elements such as points, badges, and leaderboards.Some critics warn that gamification, while effective for engagement, can sometimes encourage compulsive behavior, where users become more focused on earning points or badges rather than developing meaningful skills.Nonetheless, many studies indicate that structured learning paths, progressive feature unlocks, and gamification elements help novice users by providing clear guidancemaking skill development more intuitive, and adding an element of enjoyment to the learningprocess.Image source: https://raccoongang.com/blog/designing-efficient-elearning-gamification/While specific, public data on Figmas onboarding satisfaction is limited, anecdotal evidence from online forums and design communities consistently points to the challenges of learning complex features without sufficient guidance.Gamification in Professional PlatformsGamification isnt just for consumer apps such as Duolingo or Fitbitmany professional platforms already use it to encourage learning:Salesforce Trailhead: Interactive modules reward users with badges and skill progressions, while still keeping all features accessible.Microsoft Learn: Structured learning paths use points and achievements to encourage engagement.HubSpot Academy: Certification models guide users through complex tools in a structured manor.These approaches dont restrict access but instead create pathways for users to engage at their ownpace.Image source: https://medium.com/trailhead/what-is-trailhead-79595b07e549Balancing Control and ExplorationOf course, any structured or gamified onboarding system must avoid feeling like a limitation. In my experience teaching design software, some students thrive with step-by-step guidance, while others prefer immediate, unfiltered access.A hybrid approach could strike the right balancean optional, guided learning path with achievements and unlocks for those who want structure, while keeping the full feature set immediately available for those whodont.It is also important to consider edge cases, and ensure that should a user need a hidden feature immediately, that they have a clear path to accessit.Image source: https://www.appsflyer.com/blog/trends-insights/app-gamification/Learning That Feels LikeProgressUltimately, the goal of professional software, especially design tools, isnt to restrict but to empower users at every skill level. A well-designed onboarding system that incorporates gamification and progressive access wouldnt replace organic learning but instead provide supportive scaffolding that users can step away from when they feelready.What do you think? Would a tiered gamification system make Figma more accessible, or do you prefer full access from thestart?When you first started using Figma, how did you learntrial and error, tutorials, or something else?Share your thoughts in the comments!Dont miss out! Join my email list and receive the latestcontent.Should Figma utilize gamification to help designers level up? was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.