Figma and Contra Announce $100,000 Figma Make-a-thon on September 3

Figma, a leading design software company, has announced a "Figma Make-a-thon" with a substantial $100,000 prize pool, scheduled to take place on September 3. The event, powered by the commission-free freelance platform Contra, aims to challenge participants to build innovative projects using Figma's new AI-driven "Figma Make" tool. The announcement was made by Figma on their social media, stating, "> Who’s ready to Make things? $100k Figma Make-a-thon, powered by @contra, September 3."

The Make-a-thon centers around Figma Make, an AI-powered, prompt-to-app tool that enables users to create functional prototypes and web applications from ideas or existing Figma designs. This tool, now generally available to users with a Full seat on paid plans, allows designers and product builders to rapidly iterate and bring interactive experiences to life without extensive coding knowledge. It facilitates turning static designs into dynamic, interactive prototypes.

Contra, the powering partner for the event, is a freelance network known for its commission-free model, allowing independent creatives to keep 100% of their earnings. The platform connects a global community of designers, developers, and other creative professionals with clients seeking project-based work. Contra also provides tools for portfolio creation, project management, and invoicing, emphasizing support for the independent workforce.

The $100,000 prize, including a $50,000 grand prize, is a significant incentive designed to attract top talent and foster innovation within the design and development community. Such a substantial reward underscores the growing importance of AI in creative workflows and highlights the potential of Figma Make for rapid prototyping and application development. The collaboration between Figma and Contra also signifies a strategic alignment to empower freelancers and independent creators with cutting-edge tools and lucrative opportunities.

This Make-a-thon represents a key initiative to showcase the capabilities of Figma Make and strengthen its adoption among designers and developers. By leveraging Contra's network, Figma aims to reach a broad audience of creative professionals, encouraging them to explore the boundaries of AI-assisted design. The event is expected to generate a wide array of innovative projects, further demonstrating the practical applications and transformative potential of AI in the design industry.