In response to the increasing prevalence of laptops in classrooms, Figma, a cloud-based design tool, has announced that it will offer free access to its software for all K-12 students in the United States. This initiative is made possible through a partnership with Google for Education. The program was initially launched as a beta last year, providing free access to Figma and FigJam, a collaborative whiteboard, to 50 high schools across the country.
While Figma already offers a free version of its software, it comes with limitations, allowing users to have only three files for each program. However, participating schools will have access to Figma’s most advanced tier, Figma Enterprise, which typically costs $75 per person monthly. This advanced tier includes unlimited files, individual and shared project options, dedicated workspaces, and more sophisticated design features, among other benefits. To utilize the program, schools will need Chromebooks, but they can apply for access even if they have non-Google systems. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 94 percent of schools provided devices such as laptops and tablets to students in need during the 2022 to 2023 school year.
The future of Figma itself remains uncertain following Adobe’s agreement to acquire the company in September 2022 for $20 billion in cash and shares. Regulatory authorities in the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union are currently investigating whether the deal violates antitrust policies. The first obstacle emerged in February when reports indicated that the US Justice Department was preparing an antitrust lawsuit to block the merger. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK followed suit in May by announcing its own inquiry into the agreement. Most recently, it was reported that European antitrust regulators plan to initiate an investigation into the merger later this year.
Nevertheless, the free access to Figma for students holds great promise, with the company highlighting positive feedback from educators who participated in the beta program. Educators are now able to sign up to bring Figma to their schools in the United States. Additionally, Figma is expanding its Chromebook partnership globally, starting with Google schools in Japan.
As technology continues to play a significant role in education, programs like Figma’s offer valuable resources and tools to students, enabling them to engage in tech-centric learning and enhance their digital skills.
