This document discusses bridging the gap between designers and developers. It notes that designers and developers have different priorities, languages and approaches. The key issues are a lack of empathy, communication and collaboration between the roles. It recommends designers learn more about development processes and technologies. Likewise, developers should learn design principles and processes. Stronger collaboration is needed, such as designers joining wireframing sessions and developers contributing earlier. Tools like style guides, atomic design and project management platforms can also help bridge gaps. The overall message is both roles need to better understand each other to work as a cohesive team.

1. Bridging the
designer-developer gap
BY NICOLE SAIDY
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2. Bridging the designer-developer gap @nicolesaidy
@nicolesaidy
UI/UX Designer
Design Teacher

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Creative
Artistic
Persistent
Optimistic
Designer
Technical
Analytic
Pragmatic
Patient
Developer

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Time spent
Discussing requirements
Waiting for mockups
Attempting to implement
Explaining problem to designer
Actually implementing

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What causes problems?

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Different priorities
Lack of commitment
Budget constraints
Miscommunication
Timeline constraints
Different philosophies

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What do we all want?
To make the user happy

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Designers and developers
are divided teams
LACK OF EMPATHY

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Designers and developers
are not on the same page
LACK OF COMMUNICATION

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End result after production
is different from design
LACK OF COLLABORATION

11. Empathy

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Learn each other’s language

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Work closely with the designer
Learn design principles & typography
Go to conferences and read books

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Designers should learn how to code

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Develop an eye for design

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Design is not art.

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Browse design inspiration
Practice looking
Develop your taste for design

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Understand the design process

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Brief and objectives
Requirements, plan, user objectives
and business objectives of the project.
STEP 1

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Research
Brainstorming ideas, compiling
inspiration and competitor analysis
STEP 2

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Wireframing
Information architecture, element
placement, functionality & interactivity
STEP 3

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Style guide
Brand guidelines, UI components,
typography, dos and don’ts
STEP 4

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Prototype
Design mockups, interactive
prototypes, testing
STEP 5

25. Wireframing
Objectives Research
Style guide
Prototype

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Know the types of designers

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28. Communication

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Be involved early on

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Join the design process
Define goals together
Work together closely

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Think responsive from the start

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Start by the smallest and largest
Discuss layout breakpoints
Have an image asset strategy early

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Use management tools

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38. Collaboration

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From
UX UI DEV
UX
UI
DEV
To

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Join the wireframing sessions

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Balsamiq Mockups

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Interactive wireframes

44. Photo credit:
ArtifactUX

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Marvel demo

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Know the scope of project
Start coding the components and database
Avoids time wasting on code
Stakeholder and user testing

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We’re not designing pages, we’re
designing systems of components.
Stephen Hay

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“A set of guidelines to the design
language of a digital product.”
Style guide

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Atomic Design
by Brad Frost

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Why atomic design?
Flexibility
Consistency
Scalability

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Pattern Lab

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Customize your framework

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Collaboration tools

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Source: João Guerra

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Empathy
Communication Collaboration
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Learn the principles of design
Develop an eye for design
Understand the design process
Be involved early on
Think responsive from the start
Use management tools
Create wireframes
Collaborate with style guides
Think atomic design
Use collaboration tools
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Wrap up

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Inspiration
Designer & developer communication - Google I/O 2016
Learning to speak Designer - Google I/O 2016
5 ways to bridge the designer-developer gap on responsive web projects - Nick Schaden
7 ways to bridge the gap between design and development - Stephanie Hager
Designers vs. Developers: 5 Tips to Give Peace a Chance - João Guerra
How To Effectively Communicate With Developers - Ryan Scherf
Bridging the divide - Jon Yablonski
Front-End Style-Guides - Page Laubheimer

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Thanks!
joind.in/20225
nicolesaidy.com