Figma Make: the illusion of done

Figma introduced Figma Make as a way to turn ideas into apps without writing a single line of code. You just describe what you want, and the tool generates a functional prototype. Sounds amazing, right? And yes, it’s impressive. Seeing an interface move, switch screens, and respond to clicks gives you that “wow, this is done” feeling. But that’s exactly the problem: it makes you think you’ve finished when, in reality, you’ve only just started.

Figma Make has good things. It’s fast you can go from an idea to an interface in minutes, perfect for exploration or quick concept testing. You don’t need to be a programmer; anyone can create something functional and show it. It uses your existing design libraries, so the results stay consistent with your brand. And editing is easy: you can point at a button and ask it to make it bigger or change its color, and the AI does it instantly. Up to that point, everything seems perfect, but that’s exactly where the illusion begins.

When you see a prototype moving and working, your brain tells you, “Perfect, the job is done.” But no, it’s not. A nice-looking prototype doesn’t mean it’s usable, accessible, or coherent. Figma Make can generate something that looks good, but that doesn’t mean it works well. Behind every design there are hundreds of small decisions that AI still doesn’t understand the logical order of an action, the contrast needed for everyone to read, the visual hierarchy that guides a user without thinking. None of that is guaranteed by a prompt. That’s why, if you don’t review your design carefully, you end up with something visually appealing but empty in meaning.

There are limits nobody talks about. Many designs generated by Make look the same colors change, but the structure stays identical. It doesn’t understand complex flows or business rules. If your product has specific steps, Make won’t guess them. It also depends on your plan, since some limits come from AI credits or account type. And most importantly, the fine design work is still yours. Spacing, microinteractions, tone, accessibility none of that is handled by Make. What you get is a draft that looks like a finished product. And that can be dangerous if you take it for more than it really is.

The problem isn’t Figma Make itself, but how we use it. The issue appears when we confuse speed with quality. Making a prototype in minutes is impressive, but designing a good experience still takes time. Make can help you start faster, but it can’t think for you. The tool doesn’t know what the user feels when using your product. It doesn’t understand frustration, confusion, or delight. That’s still human work.

Figma Make is useful, but it can be deceiving. It makes you feel the job is done when it’s really just a starting point. The difference between a good design and an empty one lies in what happens after the AI finishes. That’s where the critical eye, user testing, and attention to detail come in. Make can build the house, but you decide whether it becomes a home or just a pretty facade.