Behind the Plugins: Tiffany Chen, UX Designer @ Microsoft | Figma Blog (opens in new tab)

Tiffany Chen, a Microsoft UX designer, is developing an accessibility-focused Figma plugin that automates the manual work of annotating designs for accessibility. She sees plugins as a way to fill gaps in design tools, make inclusive design more accessible, and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to enter the design field. Her broader work combines technical feasibility with creative experimentation.

Accessibility-Focused Plugin

• Chen’s plugin is an “accessibility-focused order annotator.”
• It automates much of the manual process involved in creating accessibility annotations for designs.
• The plugin was planned for release to the Figma community on August 1, 2019.

Why Chen Builds for Figma

• Figma’s plugin system and APIs are easy to use, allowing her to focus on creating rather than debugging setup issues.
• Plugins let designers build missing features themselves instead of waiting for design-tool companies to add them.
• She describes the Figma community as supportive and enjoyable.

Expanding Access to Design

• Chen wants to help people begin nontraditional design careers, including those from psychology, anthropology, international relations, and computer science.
• She believes diverse professional backgrounds bring valuable perspectives and knowledge to design.
• Her computer science background influences her designs by balancing technical feasibility with novelty.
• She views accessible, powerful tools such as Figma as a way to lower barriers to becoming a designer.

Combining Technical and Creative Work

• Chen’s proudest project began by asking people unusual questions, such as what lies they were told as children.
• She transformed their responses into illustrated stories for an art-directed website.
• Layering and parallax effects helped her combine storytelling, visual design, and technology.

Designing with Broader Impact in Mind

• Chen admires the principles of B Corporations, which require companies to consider effects on workers, customers, suppliers, and the environment.
• She believes the design industry needs both greater awareness of inclusive product experiences and more accessible paths into the profession.

Chen’s work demonstrates how plugins can support accessibility while also empowering designers to customize their tools. Her recommendation in practice is clear: use approachable, flexible design technology to make inclusive design easier and broaden participation in the field.