What do you expect from the designer who gives you the design files for your website development?

Question

As a web developer, you receive the design files from your designer.

A lot of times, it becomes a struggle to follow through those design files because of the way they are built.

What do you exactly expect from your website designer and his/her design files (on Figma?

Mani Teja Noone · Accepted Answer

Hey @vertikanigam,
I wouldn't say that they designers are limited by their intention/laziness or not capable to use their tools. It could be because of tight deadlines, underestimating the efforts, not having a defined process or not having proper communication channels with the devs.

Mani Teja Noone · Answer

@vertikanigam, Sounds great, I would definitely be interested in exploring the design system. Please drop a note to me when you launch it.

Additionally from developer perspective, some key things are,

1. Providing design tokens/variables early on for colors, typography, spacing, etc. This allows developers to implement a consistent design system from the start.

2. Sharing interactive prototypes or design specs that showcase interactions, animations, and micro-interactions. This clarity upfront prevents rework later.

3. Collaborating on a shared design system/UI library can ensure consistency across projects and enable reusable components.

4. Regular check-ins and open communication between designers and developers throughout the project lifecycle.

Having these elements in place can significantly improve the efficiency of the development process while ensuring a seamless translation of designs into functional, high-quality web experiences.

Mani Teja Noone · Answer

A well-structured and detailed design handoff is crucial for efficient collaboration.

Some key things that can streamline the process:

1. Clear naming conventions and file organization
2. Detailed design specs (fonts, colors, spacing)
3. Responsive design considerations
4. Reusable components and styles
5. Annotations/comments for context

Open communication between designers and developers is key.

Answer

Digital Nova Core is a company that provides innovative digital solutions and services designed to help businesses grow. They specialize in areas like web development, digital marketing, and custom software, aiming to enhance online presence and streamline operations for their clients. By integrating cutting-edge technology and tailored strategies, Digital Nova Core supports businesses in achieving their goals efficiently in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Chuck Alvarez · Answer

- Clear and detailed designs communicating layout, functionality, and styling
- Use of correct file formats (e.g., PSD, Sketch, Figma)
- Inclusion of assets like images and fonts
- Openness to collaboration and feedback throughout the development process

Vertika Nigam · Answer

@manitejanoone Sounds like designers have been limited by their intention/laziness etc and/or by the capability to use their tools properly.

Why do you think designers sometime fail to do any of these you mentioned?

Vertika Nigam · Answer

@manitejanoone Well said and that's a nice checklist for any designer reading here.

Also, my design system is launching soon, and these specific issues will be solved forever.

From a developer perspective, anything else that you'd like to add that can help make your dev process easier?

Vertika Nigam · Answer

@chuck_mvpbuilder Well noted. So, why do you think designers sometime fail to do any of these you mentioned?

What do you expect from the designer who gives you the design files for your website development?

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