Is the ability to code essential to succeed as a designer?
Today’s designers are under intense pressure to achieve unicorn status. Create a podcast now. Learn to be a “thinking leader,” whatever that means. Designers must acquire new abilities to succeed in today’s competitive design industry. Coding is a skill that is in high demand.
A lot of people are concerned about this. If you type “should designers” into Google, that’s the best indicator. Six of the most popular search queries address the question of whether or not designers need to know how to code.
The ability to write code is optional to be a successful digital designer. But, you should be familiar with the processes behind the creation and upkeep of digital products. Paints may be mixed to create new hues, and artists have this skill down well. Professional cooks have an arsenal of spices at their disposal. Any digital designer worth their salt will have a deep working knowledge of the technologies they use.
What do we mean by "code."
There is a tendency to generalise all programmers in the same way that one may generalise all designers. Developers can differ significantly in how they approach problems, their chosen processes, and the areas in which they may have developed expertise.
If you’re a designer working with developers, you must have a firm grasp of what they do and the environment in which they operate.
What goes on behind the screen?
Developers need to break out the parts of a design to learn how to put it together.
There are many steps between approving our ideas and seeing the finished output from the developers. When compared to humans, their thought processes are distinct. Yet, we can still have a conversation with them.
I’ve managed to avoid learning everything there is to know this far. I’m sure I’ll always be an expert on everything related to technology, as there are so many areas in which I need to be more knowledgeable. Because I want to keep things straightforward, I’ll go through the most memorable and helpful bits. There are essentially only three factors at play here:
- How does our interface gets built?
- What happens when the user pushes a button?
- Where the information we put into our interfaces comes from?
Components of the system
When we surf online, there is a lot of communication happening across the Internet between various devices worldwide.
The data we collect is stored on hundreds of servers in dozens of countries. Information may be transmitted worldwide in seconds using towers and satellites in Earth’s orbit. Thousands of miles of underwater cable carry gigabytes of data per second.
Unfortunately, we can only take in the world through our screens. That’s fine, by the way.
We aren’t engineers, so we aren’t usually the ones that handle it as designers to worry about how these relationships work. All that matters to us is providing helpful information to our customers as quickly and painlessly as possible.
In my career as a digital designer, I’ve gotten by with the following knowledge:
Interface design is our domain—location of controls, choice of aesthetic palette, and responsiveness to input. We have the right to make and enforce these policies. When we give developers our designs, they turn them into code.
Clients are what you use to construct and show user interfaces to end users. This is a catch-all phrase for any computer an individual uses. Mobile devices, computers, and electronic tablets. Devices of this type have adequate power to do some fundamental tasks but need help under greater demands. Try putting your phone into “Airplane” mode to see how ineffective it is, and you’ll get the idea.
Servers can be viewed as the “brains” of a product. These devices are large and robust enough to do complex tasks. To access data, client devices must communicate with servers over the Internet. A client will contact a server for resources when it needs them. Servers also have an advantage in speed when it comes to sophisticated tasks.
Information exchange between client and server must occur over the Internet. With the help of machines like yours, data can be transferred quickly around the globe.
The technology stack
The "stack" of a product is its collection of interdependent parts. Its environment is vast and intricate.
Among the best analogies I’ve come across from The Software Guild is to picture the IT stack as a burger. A burger must have specific ingredients, but the rest of the sandwich can be customised to the eater’s preferences. The burger in your product might have onions on it, or it might not. The patties were made by one programmer and the cheese by another.
Many technologies may make up the stack used by your design team. One example of a “design stack” might be the programmes Sketch, Framer X, Zeplin, Abstract, Adobe Illustrator, and Origami. You may replace Sketch with another programme, such as Figma. You may use Adobe XD to pool the talents of multiple designers.
Different kinds of developers
From a designer's perspective, there are only a few types of developers we are likely to meet in our day-to-day operations:
Maintaining a system like this requires several different kinds of people with a variety of talents between them. Most developers are the most comfortable working on a single component of the system, which gives them all different titles and roles.
Front end developers
Every one of us is collaborating with at least one front-end developer. These front-end technologies construct our layouts locally on the client’s machine. They share our enthusiasm for interfaces and are often trying out new approaches.
Developers for both desktop and mobile platforms are responsible for creating compelling user experiences. Even though they speak different languages and specialise in different areas, they all want the same thing.
If you’re a designer and someone asks if you know how to code, they’re probably looking for someone with this degree of proficiency.
Back end developers
People with this title will build the structure and logic of the system. They usually hold computer science or engineering degrees and are enthusiastic about robust and logical solutions. The parts of the experience that are separate from the interface usually belong to back-end developers. Things like quick loading times, secure data transfer, and robust data architecture.
We don’t work directly with them, but their work can directly impact what we can design.
Full stack developers
Developers can work on both the front and back ends of a system. They’re equal to our UX/UI designer role. Good ones are rare and highly sought after.
Data scientists
Designers can use analytics to see how our users are behaving, and data scientists are the ones who make this possible. They’re experts in condensing large amounts of data into critical insights using mathematical methods.
What should designers care about?
This is a lot of information, and I understand that. Your inquiry: "what is the minimum of this material I need to know to be useful?" sound familiar to me.
Your goal is to learn something to improve your work performance. Making a service or product to sell online? Practised use of CSS grids is essential. Keeping confidential data for your project? Learn the difference between public and private keys. Instead of becoming proficient in every conceivable field, focus on developing the skills and mindset that will allow you to succeed in various situations.
In retrospect, the following are among the most formative insights I’ve gained:
HTML
Programmers write web pages in a markup language called Hyper Text Markup Language. This allows users to have complete control over the look and feel of their websites by defining their preferred page structure, section roles, section contents, and element styles.
As an example, think about the text you just read. When this page loads, it looks like the image on the right when viewed in a web browser. The red information indicates mandatory data and metadata the client and server require to render this page correctly. Everything that makes us unique is listed in the orange box. In this day and age of abundant, freely available online materials, HTML may be quickly learned.
A solid understanding of the fundamentals is essential if you want to dabble in web design. The ability to practise on your machine using a programme like Brackets makes the process much more manageable.
CSS
We create a shared visual language for our goods during design, and developers do the same during development. To manage the appearance of their elements, they employ Cascading Style Sheets. Try viewing some websites with the CSS turned off to demonstrate the information’s importance.
With the example mentioned above, adding some CSS and making the page look fancier is simple. You can build a shared visual vocabulary for your page’s components with just a few lines of code.
Learning CSS can help you understand how challenging it is to make things look as fabulous as your designs. Sketch makes it simple to do what would be challenging to implement.
Javascript
JavaScript is a language that may be used in various contexts and is simple to learn. From developing a Sketch add-on to making web games, I’ve utilised Javascript for everything. To construct their portion of the product, some back-end developers even turn to Javascript frameworks like React and Angular.
For client-side work, Javascript’s primary function is to automate the process of making changes to HTML and CSS.
So, let’s review the last case. When I click the header, I want to be notified. Therefore I inserted an event there. The items on your page can respond to user interaction with just one line of code.
Javascript is covered in various courses, but the most straightforward approach to understanding how it fits in with HTML and CSS is simply playing around with it. Look at the results of other people’s trials and see what you can learn from them. Break down a few instances.
Mobile app development
I’m grouping together all aspects of app development under one umbrella for two reasons. First, I can only offer helpful guidance if I have experience in this area. Second, they are all very similar from the standpoint of a designer with no prior expertise.
App code rendering on mobile devices is distinct from web code rendering. The wide variety of modern technologies makes maintaining consistency far more challenging. Moreover, more complex user behaviours (such as swiping and gyroscopes) are now at your disposal.
Daily challenges can be overcome by tailoring your designs to each platform independently. You should familiarise yourself with the rules for both Android and iOS as soon as possible.
What do I need to know?
Designers who don't code only need to understand how to make things easier for their developer teammates
Ultimately, coding isn’t for everyone. If you’re exposed to this stuff in your daily workflow, you can remember it. There are a couple of shortcuts you can take to be able to think like a designer/developer without touching a single line of code:
Be empathetic towards developers.
Collaboration improves results and provides opportunities for mutual education. Designers and developers work together to accomplish the same goal. Getting the most out of your team is as simple as making a few adjustments to your usual procedures:
- Build in time for developers to contribute to the design process. Developers have some of the best ideas I’ve ever heard. Please include them in design reviews, brainstorming sessions, and user testing results as much as possible.
- Attend to their advice. When a programmer tells you they can’t implement your concept, it isn’t because they don’t like it. Some things are challenging to construct. Have a constructive attitude and collaborate to find a solution.
- Fight for them and win. The process of handing off your designs continues; you still need to be there for your team while they realise your vision. If adjusting just one detail may improve their lives, then it’s a no-brainer.
Try out some different tools.
Creating digital things is rarely as simple as our “drag and drop” workflow. When you’re coding, your hands seldom leave the keyboard since that’s how you construct everything.
Sometimes, we need tools to bridge the gap between our workflow and engineers.
- Webflow. You don’t need to know how to code to use this online tool, as it will generate your designs as a live HTML page. You can construct your website with pre-made components and customise its appearance as you see fit. If you want to learn more about CSS styling and components, this is the right tool.
- Origami. A Facebook-made prototyping app. It works well with Sketch, but I’m recommending it primarily because it will alter your approach to designing user interfaces. You won’t see them as patterns but rather as a structure of smaller parts.
- Framer. Just another prototyping tool that requires you to know your way around structure and code. It’ll take some getting accustomed to, but practising making your ideas into reality is excellent.
So what do I do now?
We may streamline our processes by learning the fundamentals of the tools we create interfaces for.
One thing that annoys me about expecting designers to make production-ready code is that it needs to cater to designers’ unique needs. If you want to make mobile apps, knowing HTML is a must. No one thinks you have to memorise this information; you can still use it if you don’t know how to fix your car’s engine. How would you use your knowledge of React as a print designer?
As creatives, we should only be satisfied with being the best at what we do. If something requires some research and development, that’s great. And if you don’t, that’s fine, too. If there is something you feel you need to know but don’t, go out and get it.
Top 10 Design Tools That Will Simplify Your Design Process
Accept nothing less than the best
It’s natural to pause at the year’s end and think about what we’ve accomplished and learned. Now is the time to reflect on our progress thus far and think about ways to enhance our efforts moving forward. Similarly, I’ve been contemplating the many design tools that have improved my workflow and forced me to think outside the box.
Thanks to these tools, which range from user-friendly software to carefully crafted templates, I’ve approached my work with a newfound level of sophistication and nuance. These programmes have given me the means to skillfully and precisely implement my ideas, whether working on an illustration or a comprehensive branding strategy.
In addition to their utility, these resources have also sparked a sense of curiosity, encouraging me to explore new design methodologies and techniques.
So without further ado, Let’s dive in.
xTiles
It is a fantastic tool that allows you to create a visual workspace for your ideas and projects. I created my dashboard in xTiles, which combines all my plans for the year/month/week, work projects, and all the notes I need to return to later. I appreciate the quick notes feature. It instantly syncs my notes from the mobile app to the web version. It’s perfect for people who need extra context and want to see the bigger picture to support their thinking, writing, or creativity.
Creatives love it for its simplicity and flexibility. So whether you’re a writer, artist, designer, or just someone with many ideas floating around in your head, xTiles is the perfect tool to help you stay organized and on track
Built for mars
Built for Mars are a renowned UX consultancy and a wealth of knowledge. With over 10000 hours of research compiled into 54 case studies, it is like a UX university without the fees.
They cover a wide range of topics and provide in-depth analysis from experts in the field.
They delve into the design and user experience elements contributing to the app’s high ratings and popularity. One example of their case studies is their analysis of an iOS app with an average rating of 4.9 stars after 500,000 reviews. So, they broke down what makes this app so successful.
Reading these case studies, you can understand what it takes to create a successful product and apply those lessons to your work.
Absurd Illustrations
If you want to add some whimsy and quirkiness to your projects, absurd illustrations are just what you need.
Their surrealist vector artworks are perfect for livening up websites, presentations, apps, and articles. These illustrations bring a touch of paradox and playfulness to any project.
Whether you want to add some quirk to your landing page or inject humour into your app, our absurd illustrations will surely fit the bill.
3D Transformer
As the name suggests, 3D transformed lets you turn any image into a beautiful 3D mockup with just a few clicks. It also comes with a Figma plugin, so you can quickly turn any frame into a stunning 3D mockup.
Design systems for Figma
This is a collection of popular design systems from all over the world, each backed by code for easy implementation.
Featuring design systems from top companies like Spotify and Uber, you can access tried and tested templates and guidelines to ensure consistent branding and design across your projects. And if you need extra guidance, they have a fantastic blog with a wide range of discussions on design systems.
Userbrain
Userbrain cloud-based platform is designed to help businesses measure and validate customer experiences through continuous feedback. With features like issue tracking, tagging, access control, and task management, you’ll have everything you need to ensure your customers have the best possible experience.
It also allows you to target specific audiences based on demographics like gender, age, and location and create custom test scenarios to get a feel for how your customers use your product.
If you need more than that, it also lets you automate your user testing schedule and even conduct periodic tests to ensure your customer experience is always top-notch.
Kickass UX
Kickass UX’s mission is to reinvent UX design education and give you the skills and resources you need to thrive in your career.
Their team is dedicated to helping you excel at overcoming stakeholder subjectivity so you can make a significant impact in your field.
In their UX library, you’ll find a wealth of helpful articles and case studies to help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices. They also offer free templates to help you fast-track your work and save time.
And that’s not all — they also have UX kits and other helpful resources to make your journey to becoming a top-notch UI/UX designer easier.
A stream of brands - ASOB
Are you a brand designer or someone who loves staying up-to-date with the latest visual identities? ASOB is a collection of unique visual identities. They curate the best creative works into carefully documented galleries.
But ASOB isn’t just for staying in the know — it’s also a comprehensive brand design library meant to inspire the creatives shaping the brands of tomorrow. You can use it to explore the library of visual identities, find inspiration for your next project and discover new typefaces,
Superflow
Superflow has a vast library of styled Webflow components.
With Superflow, you can easily copy and paste a component into your project and customize it to fit your branding. No more wasted time on cloning templates — choose from their massive selection of components and work on creating the perfect website for your business.
Apple & Banana
It is a publication dedicated to making every UX research study more easily incorporated into your projects. They understand that research in the real world can be messy, so they provide practical guidance to help you navigate it.
And the best part? Their publication is loved and recognized by researchers all around the globe, from big tech companies to small teams. So join the thousands of others and make your research fruitful with Apple & Banana.