Am I becoming a fan? I firmly believe that the Figma event I just witnessed would not have been possible without the innovative proposal that Penpot has presented to the world as a modern, updated, and open design tool. Some features showcased at the Figma event today seem to have been literally pulled from the Penpot application. And while some may prefer not to mention it or even deny it, it’s clear that this tool has set a precedent, demonstrating that the future of design lies in options like ours. The call made by Figma today sounds like a claim for the throne, revealing that they are not intimidated by competitors like Webflow, Framer, and others.
However, I don’t understand the direction Figma wants to take, as it is radically moving away from app navigation and experience creation. In my opinion, they had already claimed their place in market leadership, and this move might indicate they are focusing on a single tool dedicated to design, shutting the door on those seeking alternatives. This does not seem like a casual move, but rather a premeditated one.
This raises my curiosity: Will Penpot change its course in response? Many who criticize Penpot only compare it to Figma, and now Figma presents itself as a completely different beast. Personally, I would prefer Penpot to remain focused on UI/UX and not veer into extreme directions like Figma has. I believe that each tool should have a defined purpose. If we try to do everything in one application, we risk ending up in a digital chaos similar to Canva, which resembles a “jack of all trades.” What do you think?