As a web designer, you have to collaborate with web developers and clients to create engaging and functional websites. But how can you work better with them and avoid common pitfalls and frustrations? Here are some tips to help you improve your communication, workflow, and feedback processes.
The first step to working better with web developers and clients is to understand their goals and needs for the project. What are they trying to achieve with the website? What are their expectations and preferences? What are their technical and budget limitations? By asking these questions and listening to their answers, you can align your design vision with their requirements and avoid misunderstandings and conflicts later on.
One of the best ways to communicate your design ideas to web developers and clients is to use wireframes and prototypes. Wireframes are simple sketches or diagrams that show the layout, structure, and functionality of the website. Prototypes are interactive mockups that demonstrate how the website will look and behave. By using these tools, you can show how your design will solve the problems and meet the goals of the project, as well as get feedback and approval before moving on to the development stage.
I have found this phase to be the most important. The more thoughtful you are here to brainstorm every possible way especially with a user journey map, the more clarity it gives for both developer and client. What you layout here really defines the direction and efficiency of the whole project. Also, this phase is the most appreciated stage that the client and developer would appreciate because this is where it gives both parties clarity in their own roles, whether it’s development or business/product operation.
Another tip to work better with web developers and clients is to follow web standards and best practices for web design. Web standards are guidelines and rules that ensure the compatibility, accessibility, and usability of the website across different browsers, devices, and platforms. Best practices are recommendations and techniques that enhance the performance, security, and SEO of the website. By following these principles, you can make your design easier to implement, maintain, and update by web developers, as well as more satisfying and effective for users and clients.
Communication is key to any successful collaboration, especially between web designers, web developers, and clients. You should communicate clearly and regularly throughout the project, from the initial briefing to the final delivery. You should use appropriate channels and tools, such as email, phone, video call, chat, or project management software, to share information, updates, questions, and feedback. You should also use respectful and professional language, avoid jargon and assumptions, and clarify any doubts or issues as soon as possible.
What I've found to be key in this area is knowing how to "speak developer" without necessarily knowing how to speak said programming languages— For instance: - understanding the logic of "if, else" rules - being able to use tools such as Photoshop to create temporary mockups or hyper-realistic screenshots, in order to get the idea across - throwing in the occasional "java" coffee joke or reference ????
Finally, to work better with web developers and clients, you should be flexible and open-minded. You should be willing to adapt your design to the changing needs and expectations of the project, as well as to the feedback and suggestions of your collaborators. You should also be open to learning new skills and technologies that can improve your design and make it more compatible with the development process. You should remember that web design is not only about aesthetics, but also about functionality, usability, and user experience.
Always remember to bring engineering early into the conversation. A lot of exploration can be accomplished in parallel. Starting at the same time and having different team members bring ideas to the table allows for more perspective early on. This also allows the engineers to start thinking of the project’s long term vision which will allow, if possible, to build some that scales and is adaptable for future iterations.