A look back at Config 2022 | Figma Blog
Config 2022 brought together more than 100 speakers for 24 hours of talks on ambitious, urgent design work. The event covered topics ranging from Web3 and research strategy to design systems and emerging technologies. A central message was that designers can create meaningful local or global change by designing more inclusively and acting with urgency. ## Designing for Different Digital Experiences - Yuan Qing Lim discussed designing for Chinese users who moved directly from limited PC use to widespread mobile internet. - Three themes shaped the discussion: - **“More is More”**: Chinese digital products often embrace rich, maximalist experiences. - **Super apps**: Users expect broad functionality within unified platforms. - **Community**: Digital experiences should reflect strong social and communal behaviors. - The goal is to better serve China’s roughly 1 billion internet users by accounting for local expectations rather than applying Western design assumptions. ## Designing for New Internet Users - Rahul Goradia focused on people who are new to the internet, a group often overlooked by mainstream UX practices. - This population is especially significant in India, where internet access is expected to grow rapidly. - Designers should use usability testing to make e-commerce approachable for newcomers. - Products must account for changing behaviors, particularly as users adapt to a post-pandemic digital environment. ## A Broad Program of Design Topics - Other Config 2022 sessions explored: - Decentralizing design through Web3 - Turning research findings into strategy and product development - Design systems and their limitations - UX writing and product copy - Design tokens and collaboration - Dark-mode implementation - Multi-platform design systems - Designing super apps for Southeast Asia’s cultural diversity The event’s practical takeaway is to design for a wider range of users, challenge assumptions about “standard” digital behavior, and use research and collaboration to make products more accessible and effective.
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