Figma has become the default design tool for millions of designers, product teams, and developers.
But when it comes to animation, many designers still leave Figma and jump to tools like After Effects, Jitter, or Rive.
For years, that workflow felt normal.
Design in Figma.
Export assets.
Import them somewhere else.
Animate.
Export again.
Repeat.
Recently, I tried MotionKit, and it made me question whether leaving Figma is still necessary for many animation workflows.
Why Animation in Figma Still Feels Limited
Figma's built-in prototyping tools are great for showing interactions and user flows.
But the moment you want more advanced motion design, you quickly hit limitations.
Common challenges include:
- No professional animation timeline
- Limited control over keyframes
- No frame-by-frame animation workflow
- Limited export options
- Difficult vector morphing workflows
- No dedicated motion design environment
As a result, many designers end up maintaining multiple tools just to create animations.
That adds complexity, cost, and context switching.
What Is MotionKit?
MotionKit is an animation plugin built specifically for Figma.
Instead of focusing on a single animation technique, it combines several animation workflows inside one environment.
The goal is simple:
Allow designers to create professional animations without leaving Figma.
At first glance, that sounds ambitious.
After spending time with it, I realized that's exactly what makes MotionKit interesting.
What Makes MotionKit Different?
Most Figma animation plugins solve one problem.
MotionKit solves several.
1. Timeline Animation
For UI animations, onboarding flows, product showcases, and marketing videos, timeline-based animation is often the fastest approach.
MotionKit includes a dedicated timeline system that feels familiar to anyone who has used professional animation software.
You can:
- Create keyframes
- Control timing
- Adjust easing
- Sequence animations visually
This alone covers a huge percentage of common design animations.
2. Frame-by-Frame Animation
This is where things get interesting.
Most Figma animation tools focus exclusively on keyframes.
MotionKit also supports frame-by-frame animation.
That means designers can create:
- Character animations
- Hand-drawn effects
- Custom illustration motion
- Traditional animation sequences
without switching to another application.
Very few Figma animation tools support both approaches.
3. SVG Morphing
Morphing is one of those features that instantly makes animations feel more professional.
Instead of abruptly changing one shape into another, MotionKit can smoothly transition between vector paths.
This is particularly useful for:
- Logo animations
- Icon transitions
- Loading states
- Interactive UI effects
- Brand motion systems
Good morphing can dramatically improve the perceived quality of an animation.
4. Advanced Text Animation
Text animation is often overlooked.
Yet it appears everywhere:
- Landing pages
- Product videos
- Social media content
- SaaS marketing sites
- App onboarding screens
MotionKit provides animation controls specifically designed for text, making it easier to create engaging typography effects directly inside Figma.
5. Export Options That Matter
Creating animations is only half the workflow.
Exporting them is equally important.
MotionKit supports exporting animations into formats commonly used by modern teams, making it practical for real-world projects instead of just prototypes.
Why This Matters for Product Designers
Most designers are not trying to become motion graphics artists.
They simply want a fast way to create:
- Product demos
- Feature showcases
- Landing page animations
- Marketing content
- Interactive prototypes
without constantly switching tools.
The fewer tools involved, the faster the workflow becomes.
That is where MotionKit provides the most value.
MotionKit vs Other Figma Animation Tools
Many animation plugins do a great job solving specific problems.
However, MotionKit stands out because of its breadth.
Instead of specializing in only timeline animation or only prototyping, it combines multiple animation systems into a single workflow.
The result feels less like a simple plugin and more like a dedicated animation studio built inside Figma.
Who Should Use MotionKit?
MotionKit is especially useful for:
Product Designers
Create polished onboarding experiences, micro-interactions, and feature walkthroughs.
Marketing Teams
Build promotional animations and product videos directly from existing Figma designs.
Startups
Reduce the need for multiple animation tools and simplify workflows.
Design Systems Teams
Create reusable motion patterns and animated components.
Content Creators
Produce engaging visual content without leaving the design environment.
Final Thoughts
Most animation plugins help Figma do one extra thing.
MotionKit feels different.
It expands what Figma is capable of.
The combination of timeline animation, frame-by-frame animation, SVG morphing, text animation, and export capabilities creates a workflow that simply doesn't exist in most Figma plugins.
If you've ever searched for:
- Best Figma animation plugin
- How to animate in Figma
- Figma alternative to After Effects
- Motion design in Figma
MotionKit is worth exploring.
The future of animation inside Figma may not be about adding one more feature.
It may be about bringing an entire motion design workflow into the tool designers already use every day.
