TL;DR
Figma AI says it’s here to make your design workflow smarter — not just faster.
With instant wireframes, auto-layouts, and smart content generation, it sounds like a creative co-pilot.
But we had to ask: Can it think like a designer — or just arrange shapes?
We ran it through the Neuro Roots Index™ (NRI) — Forest’s 10-pillar framework for evaluating the real-world depth and readiness of AI tools.
Verdict: It’s helpful — but still acts like a smart intern, not a strategic partner.
Wait… AI in Figma?
Yup. And it’s loud right now.
Figma AI can:
Generate UI screens with prompts
Summarize research notes
Auto-label components
Suggest copy and structure
But here’s the honest question: Can it enhance design thinking — or just speed up drawing boxes?
Meet the Neuro Roots Index™ (NRI)
Not every AI tool deserves your budget — or your trust.
Forest's NRI
NRI tests one thing:
Does it help you build what actually matters?
1. Strategic Fit = Does it align with business goals or user needs?
2. UX Flow Logic = Is the journey intuitive, usable, and goal-driven?
3. Modularity = Can you reuse and scale what it builds?
4. Copy Quality = Does the writing feel clear, human, and on-brand?
5. Visual Design = Is the layout visually intentional and legible?
6. Data Awareness = Can it adapt to context, input, or audience?
7. Brand Sensitivity = Does it reflect tone, voice, or identity?
8. Collaboration Fit = Can real teams iterate, or is it solo-only?
9. Usability & Editing = How easy is it to refine and update?
10. Use Case Match = Does it work for serious builds, or just quick demos?
Framer AI’s NRI Scorecard
Total NRI Score: 57 / 100
Better than we expected — but still more assistant than architect. Smart — but not strategic.
When Figma AI Works
✅Great for:
Idea sketching and layout prototyping
Drafting early wireframes
Summarizing messy research notes
Generating mockups for internal demos
❌Where It Falls Short:
Crafting thoughtful product flows
Scaling component-based design systems
Expressing brand tone or visual identity
Supporting full team collaboration
Real Scenario: What It Got Right (And Wrong)
We asked Figma AI to generate:
What it gave us:
Clean card layout
Generic graphs
CTA buttons like “See More” and “View Report”
Colors: blue, gray, white
What was missing:
No user hierarchy or data prioritization
Button labels had no goal-specific clarity
No component reuse — just a static layout
Brand? Nowhere to be found
It looked fine — but felt forgettable.
Like design by default. Not design by insight.
Why This Matters
Design is not decoration. Design is context, friction removal, and decision-making.
Figma AI helps you move — but not necessarily think. It’s an amazing tool if you already know what to do. But if you’re looking for a co-strategist? Not yet.
Forest’s POV: Great Start. Still Needs a Brain.
Figma AI is a strong early assistant. But it doesn’t ask the questions that shape good products. It doesn’t know your user, your pain points, or your goals.
At Forest, we ask:
Who are we designing for?
What decisions need to happen here?
How do we reduce friction and maximize value?
Good design is a process of clarity, not shortcuts.
The Forest Way
We build smarter:
Insight First – Research leads every project
Execution with Confidence – Modular, sprint-based delivery
Credibility by Sharing – Tools, benchmarks, and honest scorecards
Style That Connects – Bold, distinct, and human
👀 Up Next in the NRI Series:
We’re feeding Notion AI real research, prompts, and content tasks.
Can it synthesize insight — or just shuffle words?
This one might surprise you.
Forest is a research-powered product studio. We help teams move fast — with intention.
Let’s stop building blindly. Let’s ship with clarity.
