The many dimensions of trust in design | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)

Trust is presented as the foundation of open, inclusive design collaboration. Insights from Figma’s Config Europe show that trust grows through human relationships, clear communication, transparent processes, and space for honest disagreement. Teams that invest in these practices can give better feedback, collaborate more effectively with clients, and consider the broader impact of their work.

Building Strong Relationships

• Trust starts with understanding teammates and everyone involved in product development.
• Informal conversations, quick calls, and regular check-ins can build connections more effectively than relying solely on email.
• A foundation of trust makes design critiques more constructive because feedback is interpreted as supportive rather than threatening.
• Teams should assume positive intent and develop empathy by learning about one another’s working styles and challenges.

Embracing In-Progress Work

• Clear communication and agreed-upon operating processes help build trust with both clients and colleagues.
• Real-time collaboration in Figma exposes early design work, which can make designers uncomfortable when ideas are still evolving.
• Teams should establish rules for shared files, including:
  • Clearly marking the stage of the design process with status annotations
  • Indicating whether feedback is currently welcome
  • Specifying the level or type of feedback needed
• Project documents should reflect the current state of the work so clients and internal teams remain aligned.

Opening the Dialogue

• Trust also requires conversations about design ethics, technology, and the broader consequences of products.
• Rakuten Viki designer Shirley Lai created “The Designated Dissenter,” a card game that encourages people of any role or seniority to challenge team assumptions.
• The game assigns one participant to object to proposed ideas and structures discussion around stakeholders, values, and ethical questions.
• Deliberately making room for dissent helps teams develop an open feedback culture and consider consequences beyond immediate project goals.

Building trust takes time, but teams can make steady progress by getting to know one another, defining collaboration norms, keeping work transparent, and encouraging thoughtful disagreement.