1. Design Is Expanding, Not Shrinking

With all the AI announcements, there’s a lot of noise about designers being replaced.

Config made something very clear: tools are getting more powerful, but design is getting broader.

AI can:

• Generate layout variations

• Speed up asset production

• Assist with copy

• Automate repetitive work

But it can’t:

• Define the right problem

• Align stakeholders

• Navigate regulatory constraints

• Make judgment calls around safety and ambiguity

If anything, the role of the designer is becoming more strategic. Less pixel pushing. More decision-making.

For someone working in regulated healthcare, that feels especially true.

2. Systems Thinking Is the Real Superpower

The best talks weren’t about individual screens. They were about systems.

Design systems. Cross-platform consistency. Shared language between design and engineering. Scalable component architecture.

As products grow more complex, systems thinking becomes the differentiator.

In medical tech, where multiple surfaces interact (hardware, mobile apps, clinician dashboards), consistency isn’t just aesthetic. It reduces cognitive load and prevents errors.

Config reinforced something I’ve always believed: great design is less about one beautiful screen and more about how everything connects.

3. Prototyping Is Becoming More Expressive

The prototyping improvements were exciting.

Motion, variables, interactions. It’s becoming easier to simulate real product behavior inside Figma. That means fewer assumptions and clearer conversations with engineering.

In healthcare products, this matters.

When you’re designing:

• Alert states

• Edge cases

• Multi-step setup flows

• Dynamic data visualizations

Static mockups aren’t enough.

The closer a prototype behaves to reality, the better we can test clarity, usability, and risk.

4. Collaboration Is the Product

One theme that came up repeatedly: design does not happen alone.

Figma continues to blur the lines between:

• Designer

• Engineer

• Product manager

• Researcher

And honestly, that reflects real life.

In my own experience, the most impactful work happens when:

• Engineers are involved early

• Product understands the “why”

• Research informs requirements

• Documentation connects everything

Config felt like a celebration of shared ownership.

5. AI Is a Tool, Not a Strategy

AI was everywhere. But what stood out was how thoughtfully it was framed.

The most compelling examples weren’t “look what AI can do.” They were “look how AI can accelerate iteration.”

That’s the right framing.

AI should:

• Remove friction

• Reduce repetitive work

• Speed up exploration

But it should not:

• Replace human judgment

• Override safety thinking

• Bypass research

Especially in regulated healthcare, automation must be intentional.

The question isn’t “Can we generate this faster?”
It’s “Should this be generated at all?”

6. Craft Still Matters

Despite all the automation, craft was everywhere.

Typography.
Spacing.
Hierarchy.
Motion.
Tone.

The best product demos still felt intentional.

Design maturity is not about adding more features. It’s about refining the experience so it feels cohesive and calm.

That resonated deeply with me.

In healthcare, calm is not aesthetic. It’s functional.

7. Community Fuels Growth

Beyond the sessions, the biggest takeaway was energy.

Being around thousands of designers, who were all thinking about process, craft, collaboration, and impact, reminded me why I chose this field.

Design can feel isolating inside a regulated enterprise environment. Config reminded me that the discipline is evolving rapidly, and we’re part of something much bigger.

Final Reflection

Figma Config 2024 didn’t just show new features.

It highlighted a shift:

Design is becoming more strategic.
More systemic.
More collaborative.
More accountable.

And as tools get faster, our thinking has to get sharper.

That’s the real opportunity.