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We have passed years of innovations in tools, technologies, and processes. Still, the struggles and conflicts between developers and designers have not faded away. Processes, methodologies, and tools- everything has undergone a radical transformation. But, the age-old conflict that will continue forever is- Should a designer apply code for designing purposes? The vast design and development community has stuck in a debate over designing with code.
Some designers feel scared of touching codes, whereas others look for advanced tools. Some hunt for versatile professionals (who can do both design and development), while others claim that it can never happen.
Moreover, there are designers who think that they should collaborate with developers. However, each of them must stick to his own discipline. Some of us find no issue with professionals who can put multiple hats on their heads. So, let us now clarify the topic in detail to remove your queries.
Should professionals start designing with code?
Before delving deep into the topic, we need to mention that both designing and coding are complementary to one another. Thus, why do UI designers learn the fundamentals of coding? Why should only developers engage in coding?
In both domains, professionals need to be creative and understand users. Without coding skills and knowledge about coding structure, a design can prepare a half-baked cake.
Not designing with code? Common constraints with the standard design tools–
Design tools are sometimes inefficient, and they are the major pain points to designers. There is an evolution of innovative design tools. However, they are not much useful for close the gap between development and design.
Design tools are available with diverse models and different technologies. Some of them work like graphic editors. The way of building and processing the layouts is different from what we find with programming languages (JavaScript and CSS).
While using vector graphics to develop User Interfaces, you need to do guesswork. You have to think of how you would apply code in the future.
In some cases, designers lament their own creations when they find the design not implemented properly. Their effort to create pixel-perfect designs does not solve the complications. Thus, design tools may not be able to deal with common issues.
There are also some technical limitations and constraints. A web designer without prior development knowledge cannot consider technical factors-
- Predicting the performance outcomes of his work
- Understanding the browser compatibility limitations
The guesswork resulted from these challenges is not desirable.
However, a web developer often depends on guesswork. User Interfaces created with graphics editors cannot answer questions like-
- Do we have a particular component?
- Do we need to consider it as a separate entity?
Moreover, team leaders, stakeholders, and managers also struggle much to have a good grasp of the final product.
CSS and HTML knowledge- How does it benefit designers?
Designers are not sure of the need to cross the boundary and step into the web developer’s territory. By gaining front-end knowledge (HTML and CSS), designers will find some benefits. It is easy to learn these basic languages, as there is no complicated programming logic. In HTML, the letter M represents Markup, and it indicates the coded setup of the page elements- the major foundational blocks for your pages. JavaSCript and CSS with HTML can create the best triad of technologies.
Metaphorically, HTML develops a page’s skeleton, whereas CSS stands for other aspects. The code structure is not complicated, as it influences color, typography, dimensions, and positions.
Coding skills promote collaboration and relationships with developers–
It is something about the benefit we get from reading each other’s minds. By understanding the developers’ thoughts and capabilities of doing something, a web designer will become an asset to the team.
Moreover, it is a good approach to ensure better internal communications in the web development company USA. Every member of a team can learn what he should anticipate from others. Thus, it will keep both designers and developers in a better position. They can provide robust solutions very easily.
Designers with coding knowledge find better job opportunities–
With some coding knowledge, designers can make a difference in their owner careers. Several organizations look for professionals with hybrid profiles. Especially, startups prefer someone who can manage both front-end development and web design.
But, interestingly, there are programmers and designers who do not like to interfere with each other’s specialty. Some of them feel it to be threatened and challenged, while others are lazy to do it. The most important thing is to analyze both options to increase the success potential.
Professional web designers can claim that they have no time to learn coding and other technical details. However, knowing CSS and HTML will open up the path for a flourishing and lucrative career. By refining their knowledge, designers can become more established in the job world.
Integrations of codes and designs–
While design systems have caused headaches, you can find a new series of solutions. Concepts like design tokens have gained traction. You can sync some designs with the state of codes. Thus, it will help you to get values directly from your design files.
These concepts have gained popularity in recent years. However, the automatic translation of designs into codes is still challenging for different scenarios. You cannot transfer the coded components into tools.
The best designers should understand the challenges, potential, and feasibility of a design. This truth is also applicable to developers. While developers have learned diverse scenarios of the users, troubleshooting, user experience, and solution, it will make things efficient and simplified.
We have summed up the reasons for which designers have to learn both designing and coding skills.
- Better control of the overall look and feel of a website and any digital product–
The developers and designers should understand the design process and the procedure of design analysis. By adopting the right design ideas, professionals will have better control of the final product design. Consequently, it will result in the faster accomplishment of the project.
- Understand the target users for a better design–
With a better understanding of the website and application from the user’s perspective, professionals can find the potential to create something better for users. They can identify the users’ responses to different color schemes, typographies, and button styles.
- Successful adaption of the design–
It is essential to know coding as a web designer. While he learns how the product is to be structured at the time of development, he can refine the design. It will add efficiency to the designs. Likewise, developers will save effort and time in the development process.
Conclusion–
Should web designers learn coding? It is a hotly debated topic in the digital world. The most important thing is that designers and developers must have a shared understanding. Plus, with a bit of knowledge about coding, a designer cannot become a coding master. However, he will understand the design from the developer’s perspective.
The User Interface is the playground for designers. But, when they consider nothing but UI design, they can create only the façade of the structure. Thus, multi-skilled designers with high professionalism can be the perfect solution to a web development project.
Author Bio:
Rushabh Patel is Founder and CEO of Siddhi InfoSoft, a web and mobile app development company focused on creating experiences that connect, perform & inspire. We believe in delivering perfect business solutions by adopting the latest.
