Sketch 56

Update: Sketch officially teased the version 56 features in a blog post.

The creator of Sketch presented at Layers by showcasing new features coming in Sketch 56. The atmosphere in the theater was giddy. The designers at the conference were ecstatic to see their favorite design tool make massive leaps forward. Here's a sneak peek of what's coming from photos/videos from audience members.

New @sketch features presented by the founder and creator himself, @pieteromvlee #layersconf pic.twitter.com/XVIVmXmYwx

— Shyanne (@theShyzzz) June 4, 2019

This illustration beautifully captures the power of the new features coming soon, without going into detail too much. Really there's 4 major new features, since Sketch Cloud is getting totally overhauled for versioning, shareable prototypes.

More sketchnotes from #LayersConf and a gutsy live demo of new Sketch features by Pieter Omvlee pic.twitter.com/NbyYIADXpG

— Ben Norris (@sketchnotable) June 4, 2019

Sketch Updates talk by Pieter Omlvee the founder and CEO. They have a cool video with the updates .#sketchnotes #wwdc #wwdc2019 #layersconf #sketch #design #ui #ux @layersconf @pieteromvlee @sketch pic.twitter.com/ZNpv22nWmo

— Andy McNally (@andymcnally) June 5, 2019

Instead of using a clunky plugin, Sketch can now do simple (and complex) resizing for components. All you need to do is specify if it's a horizontal or vertical stack, and Sketch intuits the rest. Simple. I think designers have wanted an elegant solution to this problem for years, maybe as long as graphical user interfaces have been around.

Sketch new features. 2. Components Buttons etc #layersconf pic.twitter.com/Qx0kyYn991

— Namba (@victornamba) June 4, 2019

After seeing how complex real design systems have become, Sketch has entirely rethought how you manage libraries.

Sketch new features. 2. Components #layersconf pic.twitter.com/dl9AgtcsMT

— Namba (@victornamba) June 4, 2019

There's now a components sidebar for easy dragging and dropping components from a library into your document. It also lets you categorize your symbols with drag-and-drop rather than having really long and complex symbol names.

Really cool new features coming up for @sketch Components, flexible layouts for symbols and an update for sketch cloud □ #layersconf pic.twitter.com/BSwSZanSTr

— Erik Heddema (@eheddema) June 4, 2019

The new Distribution (and Tidy) features let you easily adjust the spacing between lots of objects at the same time. It also lets you do cool Pinterest-like layouts — it doesn't have to be a strict grid.

I ❤️ dynamic distribution
What a simple pleasurable thing I want for my life

(Hooray, using computers for what they’re good at)

Somebody please put in all the presentation tools next

(or tell me where they are if I’ve missed them)#layersconf pic.twitter.com/lfod75iRDk

— may-li □ khoe (@mayli) June 4, 2019

Another example of Smart Distribute, where you can quickly adjust the spacing for the whole layout in a matter of seconds.

Sketch new features. 1. Smart Distribute presented by @pieteromvlee #layersconf pic.twitter.com/Sg3JLaFip6

— Namba (@victornamba) June 4, 2019

The very cool Pieter Omvlee of @sketch talking about the up and coming features! #layersconf @layersconf pic.twitter.com/haaDQl0TRU

— Araxie Miller (@andzayn) June 4, 2019

Sketch Cloud for Teams allows you to share prototypes internally and externally. It has built in version controls with in-line comments. It's really powerful, and makes Sketch Prototypes nearly as flexible as InVision prototypes.

Sketch new features. 3. Sketch Clound Team #layersconf pic.twitter.com/tl5CEN0E3h

— Namba (@victornamba) June 4, 2019

Great presentation from @pieteromvlee about new components and layout possibilities with @sketch. Thanks for the beta insights! □□ #sketch #sketchbeta #layers #layersconf pic.twitter.com/jLttZvQrPv

— Laura Rösler (@lauraroesler) June 5, 2019

Altogether, Sketch 56 is a huge update. Additions like versioning and collaborating in Sketch Cloud are huge for the overall workflow of design. Public links for Sketch prototypes means you can easily get stakeholder feedback. A new way to manage components, auto-resizing for buttons and complex components… it's all here and it's super cool.

​As someone who uses Sketch day-in-and-day-out, it's clear the Sketch team is firing on all cylinders and pushing the ball forward, which is essential since competition from InVision, Adobe XD, Figma, and other ramp up their products.