Penpot

Penpot: Open Source Design and Prototyping

Penpot is a web-based open-source design tool that bridges the gap between designers and developers.

It allows designers and developers to collaborate on design projects in a single platform.

Penpot expresses designs natively as CSS, SVG and HTML.

This allows developers to see the code behind the design and ship and scale designs faster.

Key Features

1. Design and Prototype:
   • Penpot allows you to create stunning user interfaces (UI) and interactive prototypes.
   • Design screens, components, and flows seamlessly within the same platform.
   • Test your designs by adding interactions and transitions.
2. Real-Time Collaboration:
   • Work together with your team members simultaneously on the same project.
   • Collaborate in real time, making design reviews and feedback efficient.
3. Developer-Friendly:
   • Penpot speaks the language of the web:
     • Use native CSS for styling.
     • Incorporate SVGs directly.
     • Express design elements using HTML.
   • Developers can easily understand and implement designs.
4. Components and Libraries:
   • Create reusable components to speed up your workflow.
   • Maintain consistency across designs using shared libraries.
5. Flex and Grid CSS Layout:
   • Build responsive interfaces following CSS standards.
   • Achieve pixel-perfect layouts with ease.
6. Interactive Prototyping:
   • Add triggers and actions to your designs.
   • Showcase user flows and interactions.
7. Open-source and web-based: Penpot is free to use and accessible from any web browser, making it a convenient option for distributed teams.
8. Integrations: Penpot integrates with existing developer toolchains, making it a seamless addition to many workflows.

Use Cases

• Open-source design: Penpot isn’t locked away behind a paywall. Anyone can access, use, and even contribute to the codebase. This fosters a collaborative community and keeps the software fresh.
• Design with code in mind: Penpot lets designers create interfaces that are essentially pre-written in code. This saves developers the trouble of translating designs into functional applications, streamlining the entire design-to-development pipeline.
• Plays well with others: Penpot integrates with existing developer toolchains, making it a breeze to adopt within many workflows. Big names like Blender, Mozilla, and MIT are already using Penpot.

Best Suited For

• Design teams looking for an open-source option: Ditch the expensive design software and explore the possibilities of Penpot’s collaborative and code-friendly environment.
• Development teams frustrated with handoff delays: With Penpot, designers can create code-ready prototypes, minimizing the time it takes for developers to implement the design vision.
• Freelancers and small businesses: Penpot’s free tier makes it an attractive option for those working with budget constraints.