How Figma became my gateway to physical product design
- Theme:Design craft
- Topic:Hardware
- Topic:Prototyping
- Topic:Brand
Timothy Achumba
Principal Design Director
Microsoft
Timothy Achumba always dreamed of designing physical products, but with a background in software design, it felt out of reach. When he discovered mechanical keyboards, his instinct was to create his own keycaps. Without experience in industrial design, he turned to Figma—the tool he knew best. What started as a few rough ideas quickly became a real product, leading him to build an entire brand around his designs. In this talk, Timothy shares his journey from software to physical product design, how Figma enabled him to explore, prototype, and manufacture physical products—proving that the tools we already have can take us further than we ever imagined.
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Timothy Achumba
He/himPrincipal Design Director
Microsoft
Timothy Achumba is a Principal Product Designer at Microsoft, leading a prototyping team exploring innovative AI interactions. With over a decade of experience in product design, including roles at Meta and Wunderlist, he specializes in designing AI-driven tools that enhance creativity and productivity. He also runs Akuko Labs, where he designs mechanical keyboards and keycap sets that blend art, design, and technology.