FigJam for brainstorming in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

FigJam is a digital whiteboard tool that helps teams brainstorm ideas together. It solves the problem of scattered thoughts by letting everyone add notes, drawings, and shapes in one shared space.

When your team needs to gather ideas for a new project quickly.

When you want to organize thoughts visually during a remote meeting.

When you need to map out a process or workflow with your team.

When you want to collect feedback from multiple people in one place.

When you want to create a mind map to explore a topic deeply.

Steps

Step 1: Open

- Figma dashboard and click the FigJam tab

A new blank FigJam board opens ready for brainstorming

Step 2: Click

- Sticky note icon in the toolbar on the left

A sticky note appears on the board for typing ideas

💡 Use different colors to categorize ideas visually

Step 3: Type

- Inside the sticky note

Your idea text appears on the note

Step 4: Drag

- Sticky notes around the board

You organize ideas spatially to group related thoughts

Step 5: Select

- Connector tool in the toolbar

Lines appear to connect sticky notes showing relationships

Step 6: Invite

- Share button at the top right

Team members receive a link to join and add their ideas

Before vs After

Before

A blank FigJam board with no content

After

A board filled with colorful sticky notes, connected lines, and organized groups of ideas

Settings Reference

Sticky note color

📍 Toolbar when sticky note is selected

To visually group or prioritize ideas

Default: Yellow

Board background

📍 Right sidebar under Background

To help organize and align content visually

Default: White

Sharing permissions

📍 Share button > Link settings

To control who can add or change ideas on the board

Default: Can edit

Common Mistakes

Adding too many sticky notes without organizing

It makes the board cluttered and hard to understand

Group related notes and use connectors to show relationships

Not inviting team members early

You miss out on diverse ideas and collaboration

Share the board link at the start of the brainstorming session

Summary

FigJam lets teams brainstorm together on a shared digital whiteboard.

Use sticky notes, colors, and connectors to organize ideas visually.

Remember to invite your team early and keep the board organized.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of FigJam in a team setting?

easy

A. To create detailed financial reports

B. To write complex code collaboratively

C. To help teams brainstorm and organize ideas visually

D. To manage project timelines automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand FigJam's core function

   FigJam is designed as a visual tool for brainstorming and collaboration.

2. Step 2: Match the purpose with options

   Only To help teams brainstorm and organize ideas visually describes brainstorming and organizing ideas visually, which fits FigJam's purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To help teams brainstorm and organize ideas visually -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   FigJam = Brainstorming tool [OK]

Hint: FigJam is for visual idea sharing, not coding or reports [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing FigJam with coding tools
• Thinking FigJam manages timelines
• Assuming FigJam creates financial reports

2. Which of the following is the correct way to add a sticky note in FigJam?

easy

A. Click the sticky note icon and then click on the canvas

B. Type addSticky() in the console

C. Drag a shape from the toolbar and rename it

D. Right-click and select 'Insert Table'

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to add sticky notes in FigJam

   FigJam uses a sticky note icon to add notes visually on the canvas.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this method

   Click the sticky note icon and then click on the canvas correctly describes clicking the sticky note icon and placing it on the canvas.

3. Final Answer:

   Click the sticky note icon and then click on the canvas -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Sticky note icon click = Add note [OK]

Hint: Use the sticky note icon, not code or tables [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to add sticky notes via code
• Confusing shapes with sticky notes
• Looking for table insertion instead

3. Given a FigJam board with 3 sticky notes connected by arrows, what does this setup best represent?

medium

A. A list of tasks with deadlines

B. A sequence of related ideas or steps

C. A random collection of unrelated notes

D. A detailed financial chart

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the meaning of connected sticky notes

   Connecting sticky notes with arrows shows relationships or flow between ideas.

2. Step 2: Match the setup to the options

   A sequence of related ideas or steps describes a sequence or related ideas, which fits the connected notes.

3. Final Answer:

   A sequence of related ideas or steps -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Connected notes = Related ideas [OK]

Hint: Arrows show flow or connection between ideas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming connections mean deadlines
• Thinking connections are random
• Confusing notes with charts

4. You tried to connect two sticky notes with an arrow but it didn't work. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. Sticky notes cannot be connected with arrows in FigJam

B. The board is locked and cannot be edited

C. You need to write a script to connect notes

D. You didn't select the connector tool before drawing the arrow

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the method to connect sticky notes

   Connecting notes requires selecting the connector tool first.

2. Step 2: Evaluate the options

   You didn't select the connector tool before drawing the arrow correctly identifies the missing step of selecting the connector tool.

3. Final Answer:

   You didn't select the connector tool before drawing the arrow -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Connector tool needed = Connect notes [OK]

Hint: Always select connector tool before linking notes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Believing sticky notes can't connect
• Thinking scripting is needed
• Not checking if board is locked

5. You want to organize a brainstorming session in FigJam with multiple teams contributing ideas. Which approach best ensures clear collaboration?

hard

A. Create separate frames for each team and use connectors to link related ideas

B. Let all teams add sticky notes randomly on one big canvas without structure

C. Use only text boxes without connectors or shapes

D. Export ideas to a spreadsheet and brainstorm there instead

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify best practices for team collaboration in FigJam

   Using frames to separate teams and connectors to show relationships helps organize ideas clearly.

2. Step 2: Compare options for clarity and collaboration

   Create separate frames for each team and use connectors to link related ideas uses structure and visual links, which supports clear teamwork.

3. Final Answer:

   Create separate frames for each team and use connectors to link related ideas -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Frames + connectors = Clear collaboration [OK]

Hint: Use frames and connectors to organize team ideas visually [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Allowing random note placement
• Using only text boxes without visuals
• Switching tools mid-brainstorm