--- title: Keyboard Shortcuts UX Designers Should Memorize (From Top Design Programs) description: Our UX Designer shares the keyboard shortcuts you should memorize across Figma, Sketch, Adobe PS, and Adobe Illustrator. image: https://blog.metrostar.com/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20(121).png --- [![MetroStar Systems Logo](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MetroStar_Jan2021/images/Logo-2021.png?width=413&name=Logo-2021.png "MetroStar Systems Logo")](https://www.metrostar.com/) - Who We Are - [Meet MetroStar](https://metrostar.com/who-we-are/) - [Leadership](https://metrostar.com/leaders/) - [Partnerships](https://www.metrostar.com/partnerships/) - [Innovation Lab](https://www.metrostar.com/innovation-lab/) - [Contract Vehicles](https://www.metrostar.com/contract-vehicles/) - What We Do - [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.metrostar.com/ai-and-government/) - [Digital Experience](https://www.metrostar.com/digital-experience/) - [Application Modernization](https://www.metrostar.com/application-modernization/) - [Enterprise IT](https://www.metrostar.com/enterprise-it-services/) - [Products + Solutions](https://www.metrostar.com/federal-government-products-solutions/) - Who We Serve - [National Security](https://www.metrostar.com/national-security/) - [Defense](https://www.metrostar.com/defense-customers/) - Insights - [Blog](https://blog.metrostar.com/) - [Case Studies](https://www.metrostar.com/case-studies/) - [News + Events](https://metrostar.com/news-events/) - Join Us - [Careers](https://www.metrostar.com/join-us/) - [Open Roles](https://www.metrostar.com/jobs/) - [Cleared Jobs](https://www.metrostar.com/cleared-jobs/) - [Veterans](https://www.metrostar.com/veterans/) - [Internships](https://www.metrostar.com/internships/) - [Contact Us](https://metrostar.com/contact-us/) - Who We Are - [Meet MetroStar](https://metrostar.com/who-we-are/) - [Leadership](https://metrostar.com/leaders/) - [Culture](https://metrostar.com/culture/) - [Partnerships](https://www.metrostar.com/partnerships/) - [Innovation Lab](https://www.metrostar.com/innovation-lab/) - [Contract Vehicles](https://www.metrostar.com/contract-vehicles/) - What We Do - [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.metrostar.com/ai-and-government/) - [Digital Experience](https://www.metrostar.com/digital-experience/) - [Application Modernization](https://www.metrostar.com/application-modernization/) - [Enterprise IT](https://www.metrostar.com/enterprise-it-services/) - [Products + Solutions](https://www.metrostar.com/federal-government-products-solutions/) - Who We Serve - [National Security](https://www.metrostar.com/national-security/) - [Defense](https://www.metrostar.com/defense-customers/) - Insights - [Blog](https://blog.metrostar.com/) - [Case Studies](https://www.metrostar.com/case-studies/) - [News + Events](https://metrostar.com/news-events/) - Join Us - [Careers](https://www.metrostar.com/join-us/) - [Open Roles](https://www.metrostar.com/jobs/) - [Cleared Jobs](https://www.metrostar.com/cleared-jobs/) - [Veterans](https://www.metrostar.com/veterans/) - [Internships](https://www.metrostar.com/internships/) - [**Contact Us**](https://metrostar.com/contact-us/) [blogs](https://blog.metrostar.com/) > [Human-Centered Design](https://blog.metrostar.com/tag/human-centered-design) # Keyboard Shortcuts UX Designers Should Memorize (From Top Design Programs) 2 MIN READ 10/12/2021 | [Human-Centered Design](https://blog.metrostar.com/tag/human-centered-design) ![keyboard shortcuts graphic of a laptop ](https://blog.metrostar.com/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20(121).png) With so many options out there, from free to paid programs for design and online collaboration, it can be a bit overwhelming to think you can stay on top of all of them and keep up with their individual updates. I’ve learned you only need to know a few key actions in each program to get yourself started and efficiently switch between different programs. Shortcodes, or keyboard shortcuts, are beginning to become streamlined across newer prototyping tools. Compared to a few years ago, when shortcodes for the same actions had nuance differences between applications. These streamlined codes have been really helpful!  ## Basic Keyboard Shortcuts to Know  1. Arrow 2. Shapes – especially the rectangle and circles 3. Duplicate 4. Group 5. Text Tool That’s it. Five total shortcuts to get you started and impress everyone over screen share at how quickly you move (wink). Now that you know which shortcuts you need, let's review them in different design programs.   ## Figma + Sketch: ![Figma and Sketch shortcuts](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20(115)-1.png?width=886&name=MicrosoftTeams-image%20(115)-1.png) ## Adobe PS:  ![Adobe Photoshop shortcuts ](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20(114).png?width=886&name=MicrosoftTeams-image%20(114).png) ## Adobe Illustrator:  ![Adobe Illustrator shortcuts ](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20(113)-2.png?width=886&name=MicrosoftTeams-image%20(113)-2.png) For the one or two programs you use daily, I would recommend spending more time practicing their shortcuts and learning their functionality. For example, setting up your components (Figma), symbols (Sketch), or elements (Adobe CC libraries) can help you work faster and smarter. These repeatable elements keep your work consistent and are the backbone of setting up a design system. Did you find these tips helpful? Marie offers more UX design and tech advice bi-weekly on our podcast, Mock IT.  [![listen to Mock IT](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7196770/66caebe9-eb7a-4c48-850f-91793bc51f1c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/7196770/66caebe9-eb7a-4c48-850f-91793bc51f1c)   ![Picture of Marie Pierce](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(11).png?width=150&name=Untitled%20design%20(11).png) Written By: [Marie Pierce](https://blog.metrostar.com/author/marie-pierce) Associate Design Manager ### you might like these too ### [Accelerating UI Development with MetroStar's Comet and AI](https://blog.metrostar.com/ui-development-comet-figma-github) ##### AI/ML | Human-Centered Design | Innovation Lab ### [Delivering Real-Time Insights for Faster DoD Mission Planning](https://blog.metrostar.com/merlin-dod-mission-planning) ##### MetroStar Culture | Human-Centered Design | Innovation Lab ### [Five 2024 GovCon Tech Trends: Perspectives from Six Industry Experts](https://blog.metrostar.com/five-govcon-tech-trends-from-six-industry-experts) ##### Enterprise IT | Feature | Cyber | AI/ML | Human-Centered Design [view more](https://blog.metrostar.com/tag/human-centered-design) ## want to stay in the loop? Never miss a thing by signing up for our newsletter. We periodically send out important news, blogs, and other announcements. Don’t worry, we promise not to spam you. [![MetroStar Systems Logo](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MetroStar_Jan2021/images/MetroStar-Footer-Logo.png?name=MetroStar-Footer-Logo.png "MetroStar Systems Logo")](https://www.metrostar.com/) - [Services](https://www.metrostar.com/#digital-services) - [About Us](https://www.metrostar.com/company/) - [Jobs](https://www.metrostar.com/jobs/) - [Contract Vehicles](https://www.metrostar.com/contract-vehicles/) Creating dynamic digital solutions is kind of our thing - we've been transforming and accelerating government missions since 1999. [say hello](https://www.metrostar.com/contact-us/) [![MetroStar Systems Logo](https://blog.metrostar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MetroStar_Jan2021/images/MetroStar-Footer-Logo.png?name=MetroStar-Footer-Logo.png "MetroStar Systems Logo")](https://www.metrostar.com/) [employee login](https://stargate.metrostarsystems.com/) © 2026 MetroStar Systems, LLC - All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://www.metrostar.com/privacy-policy/) Go to Top