When should a designer design in code?

When the project is a B2B admin tool or similar product where visual differentiation is not central. Then Cursor or similar AI coding tools can match the outcome faster than a Figma-first process. Keep Figma when you need a clear visual vision or layout exploration before code.

Is Figma actually outdated?

No. Feeds filled with “Figma is dead” posts after Google Stitch, but reality is messier. Figma is still best for certain visual work. New options mean more choice, not that the old tool is useless.

Do designers need to code in 2026?

Not strictly, but understanding how code works helps collaboration with developers and speeds delivery. Aksel built that understanding as the only designer on dev teams. What matters most is knowing when to move to the code side.

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New Tools for Designers in 2026

7 April 2026

This episode is in Finnish. The video below is the original recording; this page provides an English summary for easier reading.

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Summary

Mikki and Aksel compare Figma, code, and AI in 2026: when each tool is the right call, and why "Figma is dead" misses the point.

About The Good Side in this episode

Aksel Suokas on how The Good Side picks tools in practice. A designer’s value is not tied to one app; it is the ability to choose what moves each project forward, whether Figma, code, or AI-assisted prompting.

Key discussion points

Designing in code makes sense especially for B2B admin tools where visual differentiation is not the main bet
Figma stays strong when there is a clear visual vision or you need to explore layout before build
Tools like Cursor and Claude Code change the designer’s role but do not replace judgment
Google Stitch and similar launches fueled a “Figma is dead” narrative that the episode unpacks calmly
Talking to AI instead of only typing prompts helps when ideas do not fit written form
A designer’s value is not in the tools; tools are how design value gets delivered
Hand sketching is still useful when fast concepting matters more than pixel precision

Questions & answers

When should a designer design in code?: When the project is a B2B admin tool or similar product where visual differentiation is not central. Then Cursor or similar AI coding tools can match the outcome faster than a Figma-first process. Keep Figma when you need a clear visual vision or layout exploration before code.
Is Figma actually outdated?: No. Feeds filled with “Figma is dead” posts after Google Stitch, but reality is messier. Figma is still best for certain visual work. New options mean more choice, not that the old tool is useless.
Do designers need to code in 2026?: Not strictly, but understanding how code works helps collaboration with developers and speeds delivery. Aksel built that understanding as the only designer on dev teams. What matters most is knowing when to move to the code side.

Topics: designer tools 2026, Figma, design in code, Cursor, Google Stitch, AI design tools, Aksel Suokas, The Good Side, Behind the Pixels, UX design 2026, design vs code

New Tools for Designers in 2026 | Pikselien Takana | The Good Side