I first started by looking into collaborative design tools, I focused on the more well-known ones, what they are, how many users use it (if i can find it) and something unique about them, I may also look for statistics for them as well
Figma is a cloud-based vector graphics editor and prototype tool set up for collaborative and remote interface design. It has all the resources needed for every step of a design project with now even generating code you can export. (1.) It’s used for collaborative design, creating design systems and prototyping.
As of right now over 10 million individual users use Figma, more than doubling from 2022. About 84% of designers report collaborating with developers weekly via Figma, which is a testament to its cross-functional impact. (2.)
Something that interests me with Figma is the browser based access, It means someone like a supervisor who doesn’t have it installed can easily see it, with no hassle
Miro is an online, collaborative whiteboard platform that can be used for remote brainstorming, mind mapping, planning demonstrating concepts. (3.)
Miro reported having over 60 million users as of September 2023. Further, Miro reported that it served 95% of Fortune 100 companies in 2020. Miro specifically targets enterprise teams including product management, engineering, IT, UX and design, consultant, marketing, and sales teams. (4.)
Something interesting that was mentioned, was that Miro is completely inaccessible to anybody using a screen reader and has very limited keyboard navigation options for those who require that as their main mode of interaction with the computer. (3.)
Canva is a free, web-based graphic design tool that allows you to create beautiful designs for your business or personal use. You can use Canva to create images and videos for social media, websites, flyers and more (5.)
Canva as handy as it is sometimes, also allows for collaboration with work, I remember when I was creating my portfolio for ulster, My lecturer could access my slideshow and make changes to anything, as long as I gave them permission. So I felt it was worth looking at as it is free and underused, if companies wanted to save money they could use it!
Adobe Express is a web-based and mobile graphic arts and design app designed to help anyone create a variety of visual content quickly and easily. (8.) You can share your designs and revisions to gather feedback and collaborate by editing files of others or you can add comments to other peoples work. (9.)
37 million people use the many apps of Adobe’s ‘Creative Cloud’ product suite which includes Adobe Express, but the only official figure from Adobe on the number of Adobe Express users is that 43 million teachers and students use the education version of the tool. (10.)
It may not be popular, but it has some collaboration elements, it is similar to Figma in my opinion as it is used for design, collaboration is a feature, Figma however is starting to push their collaborative products though, whereas adobe is not.
I decided to look into the rise of collaborative tools, essentially the history of collaboration. It will help with the essay if I have a timeline of major events, So below is an order of events I feel is worth either mentioning or knowing: