Exploring Variables Through Team Design Workshop
Team Engagement and L&D
Yext Design Services | October 2025
To strengthen our team’s skills with Figma variables while fostering collaboration and creativity, I created a custom workshop to build a "monster generator" with variables.
OVERVIEW
To strengthen our team’s skills with Figma variables while fostering collaboration and creativity, I ran a hands-on workshop called “Monster Generator.” Using Figma community resources, I created a custom monster generator that allowed designers to experiment with variables in a fun, interactive way.
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The goal was two-fold:
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Give the team practical experience applying variables in ways directly relevant to client work.
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Build team engagement and enjoyment through a themed, creative activity.
THE PROBLEM
Not all designers on the team were confident with Figma variables, and there were limited opportunities to explore them in a collaborative, low-pressure environment. We needed a workshop that was educational, practical, and fun, providing takeaways that could immediately improve efficiency in client projects.
THE SOLUTION
I designed a Halloween-themed workshop that incorporated real-world learning and hands-on application, combining learning, creativity, and team ownership.
Preparation
Found a custom avatar design file from the Figma community as the reference for the monster generator.
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Pulled monster graphics from another Figma community file to populate the variable options (e.g., bodies, eyes, legs, accessories).
Hands-On Learning
Each designer took ownership of a variable or part of the monster (e.g., one designer set up body options, another eyes, another accessories).
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Designers applied Figma variables to make each element swapable, practicing techniques directly transferable to client work.
Collaboration & Creativity
Designers experimented with different combinations, tested the variable system, and iterated in real-time.
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Encouraged sharing tips and tricks, highlighting creative approaches while reinforcing system design principles.
Learning Takeaways
Documented approaches and best practices in a shared Figma file for future reference.
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Highlighted how the same variable techniques could improve efficiency and scalability in multi-brand client projects.
IMPACT
Develop New Skills: Experimented with variables in a stress free environment to build confidence in the leveraging the feature in future work.
Team Bonding: This was an engaging team activity in the spirit of Halloween. We supported each other and troubleshooted.
Spark Joy Across the Department: I shared the "Monster Generator" with the engineers and product managers in our department for everyone to participate in the fun.
REFLECTION
This workshop reminded me how effective creative, low-pressure learning can be for building real skills. By turning Figma variables into a playful “Monster Generator” activity, the team gained hands-on experience, collaborated naturally, and built confidence with a feature that directly improves our client work. It strengthened both our craft and our connection as a team, proving that structured play can drive meaningful learning and engagement.
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