Localization Management Tool For Designers

Memsource Design Integrations for Figma and Sketch

Streamline your localization workflow with this guide on how to use Memsource's design connectors for Figma and Sketch.

As a designer, you want to create a seamless user experience, no matter the country or language. You need to carefully consider how localization impacts UI and UX, but because the localization process typically happens after development, it's not always easy to predict how the localized content will look. This can lead to lengthy translations that break the layout, raise costs, and increase time to market as you are forced to send your design back to the drawing board to accommodate other languages.

If you're wondering how to eliminate these localization hurdles, then you've come to the right place. Memsource's Figma and Sketch connectors make it possible for teams to start the localization process while you are in the design phase, instead of waiting for the development phase to be completed.

In our recent webinar, we discussed how you can integrate a design tool like Figma or Sketch with Memsource's translation management system (TMS) to allow seamless design, development, and localization throughout the project lifecycle. Read on to learn more.

First up, what is a translation management system (TMS)?

A TMS is a centralized system that enables you to facilitate, automate, and track your entire localization process. Think of it as a mediator between you and your localization projects. A TMS can help keep track of all of your projects in a single platform, automate workflows and project creation, and utilize translation assets such as translation memories.

By integrating Figma or Sketch with Memsource, you can benefit from a smooth and secure transfer of content between the platforms that will ensure high-quality, consistent translations that you can distribute to your new markets quickly.

Get ahead of localization challenges

We've all been there. You spend hours getting the design just right. Then send a perfectly formatted design to production, only to find that during the localization process your precious copy no longer fits the design. Avoid this common pitfall by localizing early. With Memsource design connectors, localization can begin in the design phase, allowing you to test and validate localized strings before your design is sent to the development team.

Immediate design support with pseudotranslation

Use the pseudo-translate function to quickly test your localized content without leaving Figma. For example, a translation from English to German may expand by as much as 30%.

The pseudo-translate function can replicate this expansion in your translated strings. It's not a finalized translation, and the replicated strings aren't accurate enough for early validation, but it allows designers to get a clear indication of what translations fit the design, and where adjustments may be needed.

Check translation status in real time

You can identify the strings you'd like to translate and send these to Memsource in a few clicks, without ever leaving Figma. It's also possible to check the status of the translation within Figma, eliminating the need to send that extra "Is this ready?" email.

Leverage translation memory and machine translation

Be smart with your translations. Translation memories within Memsource will automatically store all past translations and allow you to reuse them wherever possible, making for faster, cheaper, and more consistent localization. Users can also take advantage of Memsource's extensive support for machine translation through Memsource Translate, which will help cut costs without compromising quality.

What will your integrated workflow look like?

Once the integration is set up, your design and localization process will look something like this:

Push texts for translation from Figma to Memsource

There's no need to leave your Figma account to create translation projects.

Translate in Memsource

Translators can use reference images within the project to create their translations.

Seamlessly pull translations from Memsource back to Figma

With real-time updates, you can check the status of the translations without leaving Figma.

Validate the translations in the design phase

Then use existing translations from the design phase stored in the translation memory for the finished product.