The Current State of Design Workflows
Sales teams have Salesforce. Engineers have GitHub. But designers have always had slim pickings.
Design workflows at major companies are often more art than science. Key processes like approvals, versioning, and cross-team communication frequently occur in Google Drive with numbered files accompanied by a long string of emails. Without a central repository for all things design, these ad hoc processes can rapidly spin out of control at scale.
Introducing Abstract: A Workflow Platform for Designers
Abstract is a workflow platform and system of record built specifically for designers to solve the debilitating frustrations of the design process. The company is targeting Sketch users out of the gate with a round from Cowboy Ventures in the bank and ambitions to accommodate the whole gamut of visual file types.
The Problem with Current Design Tools
Current design collaboration tools, such as Figma, focus on working on the same document at the same time. However, this approach can lead to information loss when files are shared across teams or over time. Abstract is designed to provide historical context and insight into design changes over time.
The Team Behind Abstract
Josh Brewer, CEO of Abstract, told me that the company will eventually accommodate Adobe Illustrator as well as less-feature-rich visual communication tools like PowerPoint and Keynote. The team has a close relationship with Sketch and has shown their work to the developers, who were "really excited" about the project.
Getting Started with Abstract
Starting today, anyone can sign up for Abstract via one of three different plans. Everything is free for individuals, but there are paid options for professional users like freelancers and teams within larger businesses.
Plans and Pricing
Abstract offers the following plans:
- Free: Ideal for individual designers
- Professional: Suitable for freelancers and small teams
- Enterprise: Designed for large organizations
Each plan comes with a range of features, including file storage, collaboration tools, and version control. The paid plans also offer additional features like advanced security and support.
Benefits of Using Abstract
Abstract offers several benefits over current design tools:
- Historical Context: Abstract provides a complete history of all design changes, making it easy to track progress and identify issues.
- Cross-Team Collaboration: Abstract allows teams to collaborate on designs without losing information or having to recreate work.
- Version Control: Abstract offers version control, ensuring that designers can easily revert to previous versions if needed.
The Future of Design Workflows
Abstract is poised to revolutionize the way designers work. By providing a central repository for all things design and historical context for every file, Abstract can help teams streamline their workflows and reduce errors.
As the company continues to grow and develop, we can expect to see even more features and tools added to the platform.
Conclusion
Abstract is a game-changer for designers. With its workflow platform and system of record, it provides everything designers need to work efficiently and effectively. Whether you’re a freelancer or part of a large organization, Abstract is worth checking out.
About the Author
John Mannes is a student at the University of Michigan. He has a passion for technology and innovation, with a focus on design tools and workflows.
You can follow him on social media to stay up-to-date on his latest articles and projects:
- Twitter: @jmannes
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-mannes
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