O Friends of Figma RJ é uma comunidade local independente, apoiada pela Figma, que busca fortalecer o ecossistema de design no Rio de Janeiro. Organizamos eventos, rodas de conversa e experiências que conectam pessoas em torno do design, da colaboração e da criatividade.
INDUSTRY
Technology
ROLE
Volunteer of the People team
Context
As a volunteer of Friends of Figma - Rio de Janeiro, I work in the People front managing the Whatsapp and Discord communities. In addition to creating topics that stimulate conversation in the Design community, I also curate content and recommendations, such as courses, events, mentorships, job openings, and study groups.
In addition to this main role, I also participate in organizing events, serving both as a presenter and backstage.
Problems
When I entered the community, I realized that those who attended the in-person meetings missed a closer connection with the Design scene in Rio de Janeiro. Since I was already actively participating in these events and in Design groups on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Discord, I ended up being invited to join the People team as a volunteer.
Approach
Creation of a community on Whatsapp and Discord.
Management of engagement groups, such as: giveaways, job openings, mentorships, surveys, study groups, etc.
Creation of design and creativity topics to generate conversations and technical discussions in the group.
Applied Solutions
Mentoring with senior professionals to help those who are starting in the field or transitioning careers.
Closer contact with the Rio de Janeiro Design community.
Creation of new event formats, focused on networking, such as meetings in cafes, happy hours, and picnics.
Discounts on courses, events, and technical books.
Partnerships with large institutions, events, and companies.
Opening Class of the Veiga de Almeida University (UVA)
I was invited, as an alumnus and representative of Friends of Figma – Rio de Janeiro, to participate in a roundtable alongside prominent professionals from the market. The theme was “Job Market – Current Scenario and Possible Paths,” at the opening class for the Design, Advertising, Cinema, and Journalism courses at Veiga de Almeida University (UVA).
THE WAVE TOUR - Friends of Figma Rio de Janeiro 2025
In this meeting where I was one of the Hosts, Juno — designer and leader of Friends of Figma Atlanta — brought together Brazilian brands of different sizes and sectors to showcase how they are applying the new Figma ecosystem in their daily operations. From startups to large companies, the cases demonstrated how Figma is redefining workflows and fostering more collaboration among designers, developers, PMs, and other stakeholders.
CONFIG WATCH PARTY 2025 - Rio de Janeiro
We gathered our community to watch, exchange ideas, laugh, network, and cheer together for the Figma launches. It was a night full of inspiration, connection, and that feeling of being among people who truly understand the power of collaborative design.
Concrete Results
1,892 followers on Instagram.
1,000 followers on LinkedIn.
300 members in the WhatsApp community.
11 groups with specific content.
3 fixed mentors.
An average of 1 in-person event per month.
Strengthening the community of Designers in Rio de Janeiro.
Learnings
Being at Friends of Figma - Rio de Janeiro made me understand up close what it means to care and be in community. I learned to initiate conversations without forcing, to deal with different ways of participation, and to connect people who were looking for similar things. I also discovered how laborious and, at the same time, rewarding it is to organize an event, whether presenting on stage or working behind the scenes.
Smooth Scroll
This will hide itself!
This will hide itself!
Smooth Scroll
This will hide itself!
This will hide itself!