Blokdots Brings Code-Free User Interface Creation to Arduino Projects with New Figma Plugin

Users of the Figma design platform now have a new way to build graphical user interfaces for Arduino projects with the blokdots block-based programming environment, intended to allow for prototype creation without writing a single line of traditional code.

"With this plugin you can connect Figma to the blokdots app, making it possible to use hardware components like sensors and buttons to control and manipulate elements right in Figma," blockdots explains of its freshly-released plugin. "This means it is now possible to bridge the gap between hardware and UI prototypes!"

The plugin supports the desktop version of the Figma design platform and allows for hardware components connected to an Arduino microcontroller to control aspects of a Figma user interface design — including setting text labels, color, size, rotation, and position of layers. An example given is using readings from a temperature sensor to control an on-screen temperature gauge in Figma.

"Our goal is for everyone to be able to build their ideas for a better future," claim blokdots founders Olivier Brückner and Christoph Labacher, who originally aimed to develop dedicated hardware for the platform before switching to Arduino compatibility. "We help them do this by enabling them to quickly prototype complex, high-quality hardware interactions."

The blockdots Figma plugin can be download from the Figma Community site; those looking to use it will also need an Arduino or compatible microcontroller and the blockdots app, available from the official website.