Bridging the Gap: Key Terms and Concepts for Effective Designer-Developer Communication
As a UX/UI designer, it’s essential to communicate effectively with developers to ensure that our design is accurately implemented. This process requires a good understanding of the terms used in software development, as well as the process from design to implementation. In this article, I’ve compiled the key terms and concepts that I commonly encounter in my daily communication with engineers. By gaining a better understanding of these terms and process, we can bridge the communication gap and speak the same language with developers.
Let’s use a scenario to explain the design and development process in software development and the terms we used.
Image we have completed the design for a new feature for a messaging app. The feature will allow users to send and receive voice messages.
We create a screen that includes [UI Elements] of a header, a message input field, a send button, and a list of voice messages.
The dev team receives the design screen and the instructions. They begin by setting up the [back-end] of the feature, which includes creating an [API] to handle the recording and playback of voice messages.
Once the API is set up, the [front-end] developers begin working on implementing the design screen. They create the header, message input field, send button, and list of voice messages. They also integrate the API to enable the recording and playback of voice messages.
Once the feature is complete, the dev team thoroughly tests it to ensure it functions as intended and meets the design specifications. Any issues or bugs that are discovered are fixed before the feature is released to users.
The design, front-end, back-end, and API all work together to create a functional messaging app. The design serves as a reference for the front-end developer, who implements the UI using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The back-end developer creates the necessary infrastructure to handle the messaging functionality and provides API endpoints that the front-end developer can use to communicate with the back-end.
It’s worth noting that API may not be a familiar term to everyone, so I think it can be beneficial to delve deeper into what it means.
API: Application Programming Interface, an API is essentially a set of protocols and tools that allows different software applications to communicate with each other. In the context of web development, APIs are used to connect the front-end (what users see and interact with) to the back-end (the server that processes requests and stores data). In simple terms, an API is like a middleman that allows two different computer programs to communicate with each other.
An API acts as an interpreter between two computer programs. For example, if you’re using a weather app on your phone, that app is using an API to get the weather data from a server. The app sends a request to the server via the API, and the server sends back the requested weather data through the API.
Developers usually choose an API based on the requirements of the application they are building. They may look for APIs that provide the necessary data or functionality needed for their app, such as weather data, mapping, or social media integration.
Effective communication between designers and developers is essential for creating successful products. It’s important to work closely with developers throughout the development process to address any issues that arise and make sure your designs are translated into a functional product.
Consolidate the key terms and concepts in a single sentence:
UI Elements: UI Elements refer to the various visual and interactive elements that make up a user interface. These elements include buttons, forms, text fields, menus, and other interface components that users interact with to accomplish tasks.
Front-end development: The process of building the user interface and user experience of a website or application using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Back-end development: The process of building the server-side functionality of a website or application, such as databases, servers, and APIs.
API: Application Programming Interface, a set of protocols and tools for building software applications.
