Design's Fork: How AI Forces the Return to Code

This analysis exposes a fundamental architectural weakness in Figma's dominance: its complex, proprietary format excludes it from the training data that now powers AI design tools. As large language models trained exclusively on code become increasingly capable, the elaborate system Figma built to systematize design—components, variables, modes—becomes a liability rather than an asset. The implication is profound: code will reclaim its position as the true source of truth in design, rendering much of contemporary design infrastructure obsolete.