The live stream from Figma's Release Notes series highlighted several new features and updates aimed at improving user experience and collaboration in Figma Design, Fig Jam, and Figma Slides. Key updates include the introduction of Fig Pals, which are customizable creatures that can accompany users during their work. Accessibility improvements were made with new color contrast information in the color picker, enhancing design inclusivity. The annotation feature now allows designers to add annotations in design mode, not just in dev mode, and introduces annotation categories for better organization. In Figma Design, new features like collapse layers and inline corner radius controls were introduced to streamline workflows. Autoflyouts for fills, effects, and layout grids reduce clicks, enhancing efficiency. The ability to reorder modes and collections without breaking dependencies was also added, providing more flexibility in managing design systems. Figma Slides saw significant updates, including the ability to import/export PPTX files, play videos in the editor, and create components for consistent content across slides. Additionally, new cloud architecture icons were added to Fig Jam, and Figma's UI is now available in Spanish, expanding accessibility.

The discussion centers on the design system 'Spindle' used by Ameba, a brand with multiple services like Ameba Blog and Ameba News. Spindle is a toolset and guideline collection aimed at creating a consistent 'Ameba-like' experience across all services. It includes design tokens, icons, illustrations, and components, primarily built for React but also available in HTML. The system ensures accessibility and usability, with components like color palettes and icons designed to maintain brand consistency. The development process involves proposal, requirement definition, and documentation before implementation, allowing for flexibility and collaboration among designers and developers. Spindle is open-source, promoting both internal and external branding, and includes tools like Figma plugins for efficient design-to-code transitions. The system is maintained by a core team and contributors, balancing between individual project needs and overall brand consistency.

The stock market is facing a downturn, with stocks falling more than 20% from their previous peak, indicating a potential bear market. The CBOE Volatility Index, a measure of market fear, is rising due to escalating tensions between the US and China, leading to pessimism about the economic outlook. Investors are concerned about a possible recession and the growth outlook for the US economy, which has been strong until now. Additionally, bond yields, particularly the 10-year treasury yields, have not decreased as typically expected during economic fears. Normally, fears of a recession would lead to expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, causing bond yields to drop and reducing competition for stocks. However, the 10-year yield remains around 4% and has even increased slightly, suggesting that markets anticipate the Federal Reserve might need to maintain a restrictive monetary policy in the future despite potential rate cuts.

The Trump administration expedited the imposition of tariffs by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), bypassing the traditional lengthy process involving economic analysis, public comments, and hearings. This approach allowed for immediate tariff implementation by declaring a national emergency, as seen with tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. However, this method is legally questionable since IEEPA was not originally intended for such broad tariff applications. The administration calculated tariffs based on trade deficits, simplifying the process but raising concerns about legal vulnerabilities and potential challenges. This move has prompted bipartisan opposition in Congress, with some members seeking to reclaim trade authority from the executive branch. The Senate passed a resolution challenging the President's use of IEEPA, highlighting growing discontent with the aggressive tariff policy.