How Figma taps into taste, simplicity, and storytelling | Yuhki Yamashita (CPO)

Yuhki Yamashita is the Chief Product Officer at Figma, leading the product and design teams. Previously, he was a product and design leader at Uber, where he orchestrated the redesign of the rider and driver apps. Yuhki was also a product manager at Google (YouTube iOS app) and Microsoft (Hotmail). Additionally, he has taught introductory computer science at Harvard University. – In today’s episode, we discuss: • How Figma approaches new products, prioritization, and storytelling • Product culture at Uber, Microsoft, Google • The difference between “good” and “extraordinary” PMs • Tactical advice for storytelling • The “un-learning” required in new jobs and industries – Referenced: • Figjam: https://www.figma.com/figjam/ • Figma: https://www.figma.com/ • Figma Dev Mode: https://www.figma.com/dev-mode/ • Figma Slides: https://www.figma.com/slides/ – Where to find Yuhki: • LinkedIn:   / yuhki   • Twitter/X: https://x.com/yuhkiyam – Where to find Brett: • LinkedIn:   / brett-berson-9986094   • Twitter/X:   / brettberson   – Where to find First Round Capital: • Website: https://firstround.com/ • First Round Review: https://review.firstround.com/ • Twitter/X:   / firstround   • YouTube:    / @firstroundcapital   • This podcast on all platforms: https://review.firstround.com/podcast – Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction [00:02:50] Figma's early days [00:09:11] Product culture across companies [00:13:42] Knowing when to change things [00:17:40] How business goals impact product expansion [00:21:00] Advice for going multi-product [00:24:30] The skills of a “0 to 1” PM [00:27:36] Identifying entrepreneurial talent [00:29:06] Why aren't there more designer founders? [00:35:22] How Figma launches new products [00:41:19] “0 to 1” versus “1 to 10” talent [00:46:01] The role of storytelling at Figma [00:49:22] How Figma prioritizes product [00:55:11] Advice for product storytelling [00:59:02] “Good” vs “extraordinary” product managers [01:01:21] Why product simplicity matters [01:03:52] The importance of taste in product and design [01:07:56] The biggest influence on Yuhki’s product thinking