R079 - Open Source Product, with Pablo Ruiz-Múzquiz

The Open Source movement is transforming the way we create technology, driving more open, sustainable, and collaborative business models. What started as a philosophy to freely share knowledge is now revolutionizing entire industries. But how is this change really impacting companies and users? Can open software compete against traditional professional tech giants? And above all, what can we learn from those leading this new way of creating value?

Today we talk with Pablo Ruiz-Múzquiz, CEO of Penpot, the open source platform that unites design and development to drive innovative digital products.

R079 - Open Source Product, with Pablo Ruiz-Múzquiz

Why is open source important?

Open source is important because it promotes a more open and democratic model of building technology. It's not just an ethical or philosophical matter; it allows more people to access better tools and technologies. In my case, it's a way to build technology in society, so that everyone can contribute and benefit from advancements without restrictions.

How do you see the cultural differences between open source companies and traditional ones?

Although some open source companies can be just as toxic as traditional ones, generally, there is a more collaborative and direct working culture with the community. There isn't such a large separation between those who create the software and those who use it. This generates greater transparency and honesty, as the community can directly question the decisions and work being done. However, there is also opportunism within some open source companies that use the model for commercial benefits without truly sharing the open culture.

Open source allows more people to access better technological outcomes and create better tools, technologies, and products.

What is the real world to you?

For me, the real world is one that makes me learn something or feel something. A day feels more real if I've managed to have at least one of those two things happen. There are days when, if I feel and learn, I feel like I've had a very real day. It's a very tangible sensation of interacting with something that truly affects and teaches me.

What excites you?

I'm probably excited by the basic exercise of human empathy. How humans negotiate otherness in a positive way seems fundamental and exciting to me.

Do you consider yourself addicted to learning?

Yes, I have a problem with that. The passion for learning sometimes leads me to follow fractal paths and get stuck in them. Some people who know me have misunderstood this passion, but it's something I deeply enjoy.

How was Penpot born?

Penpot emerged from an internal decision at Kaleidos, the company we founded in 2011. Initially, Kaleidos was a services company, but we wanted to transform technology into a product. After creating Taiga, an open source product for agile project management, we decided we needed a design tool that also involved developers.

Penpot is the result of that need: an open source tool that facilitates collaboration between designers and developers in the design process.

Open source is a way to build technology in society more akin to science, therefore more open and democratic.

What does it mean that Penpot is "the Open Source Figma"?

We don't mind being called that for now, because it helps us position ourselves in people's collective imagination. However, Penpot goes far beyond Figma, as it incorporates principles of declarative design and facilitates greater integration with the development world. The important thing is that we are not a copy of Figma; we are seeking a different approach to solving collaboration problems between designers and developers.

Declarative design establishes what should happen, but not exactly how it should happen. It's like traffic signals.

What is declarative design?

Declarative design is the approach where what should happen with an interface is established, without specifying exactly how. It's like traffic signals: they tell you what needs to happen, but not how you'll achieve it.

In design, this allows interfaces to better adapt to different contexts and devices, without losing their functionality.

Challenges of Penpot

How was the transition of Kaleidos from a services company to a product company?

The transition happened organically. For years, Kaleidos was dedicated to services, but as we developed products like Taiga and Penpot, we realized we wanted to focus more on our own product. In 2019, we made the decision to transform Kaleidos into a completely product-oriented company. It was an internal redefinition process that culminated in 2020 with full dedication to Penpot.

With Penpot we are seeking a different approach to solving collaboration problems between designers and developers.

What challenges does Penpot face in the near future?

The main product challenge is to confirm that our vision of the alliance between design and development is correct. Penpot has to demonstrate that it can be a serious alternative to traditional design tools. We are also exploring new business models, like Open Nitrate, which offers the complete product in open source and charges for control and governance functionalities for larger organizations.