Most designers I know these days use Figma. I’ve grown to love Figma’s capabilities and UI/UX. One of its standout features, the Figma Community, has become one of my go-to resources, and it keeps getting better with time.
The Power of the Figma Community
Similar to WordPress’s plugin directory, the Figma Community is a treasure trove of free resources created by designers for designers, though you might occasionally encounter some freemium offerings among the wealth of completely free options.
Seeing all the value I’ve gotten from the community, I wanted to create something to give back.
The Initial Concept
Last year, I had what seemed like a straightforward idea: create a professional “Powered by WordPress” badge system in Figma. The concept was simple – design a flexible component that would mirror the polish of App Store or Google Play badges, allowing WordPress users to showcase their platform choice proudly.
The design process was fun and I learned about using variants in a clean and effective way. After I was happy with the component, it was time to get approval from the WordPress Foundation.
The Setback
Filled with optimism, I reached out to the Foundation, confident that a free, GPL-licensed resource promoting WordPress would be well-received. However, the initial response was disappointing:
“This use of the WordPress trademark is not permitted… The WordPress name and logo cannot be used as part of a product, project, service, domain name, or company name, or in any way that suggests an affiliation with or endorsement by the WordPress Foundation.”
Well, OK then. That’s a letdown, and there’s no point in arguing. The fact is they own the Trademark, as has been made abundantly clear in recent months. From there, I just let the project sit in my personal Figma directory for many months.
Until…
An Unexpected Turn
The project seemed destined to remain in my private files until a fortunate interaction on X (formerly Twitter). When someone asked Matt Mullenweg about official WordPress badges, I shared my experience.
To my surprise, Matt responded, suggesting I wait for an email.
What followed was unexpected but welcomed—official approval from the WordPress Foundation to proceed with publication. This turn of events breathed new life into a project I had shelved months before.
Launch and Lessons Learned
Today, I’m excited to announce that my first Figma Community project is live. While it might seem like a simple contribution – a single component with thoughtful variants for color and size – it represents more than just a design resource. This journey taught me valuable lessons about persistence, community engagement, and the sometimes unexpected paths that creative projects can take.
Looking Forward
The badge system is now freely available to anyone who wants to showcase their WordPress website with style. It’s a small contribution to both the Figma and WordPress communities but one that I hope will prove useful to others.
Most importantly, this experience has shown me that staying engaged with the community can lead to surprising opportunities even when faced with initial setbacks. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, remember that sometimes good ideas just need time – and the right audience – to find their way forward.
