Front-end developer role in the UI/UX workflow

Have you ever used an app that was created so wonderfully you wanted to use it over and over again? You felt reassured that whatever you did on the app would be executed perfectly, so you wouldn’t have to wonder if you needed to follow up. Have you ever encountered an app that is so visually appealing that you find yourself wanting to visit it repeatedly? Visualize in your mind the best experience that you have ever had while using an app or visiting a website. Now, imagine that you are chosen to be part of the team to create it. As a junior front-end developer, you might wonder where do I fit on the team and how in the world do I build that. This article will cover the process for creating beautiful, functional apps, the roles involved in the process, the key responsibilities of front-end developers during this process, the impact front-end developers have on the process, and finally, the tools and skills needed to fulfill their responsibilities.

How are apps or websites developed?

To understand how apps are created, it is essential to understand the product lifecycle. Girish Nalawade, in his blog “The Product Lifecycle: Digital Product UX/UI Design,” explains that “The product lifecycle represents the journey of a product from its inception to its eventual retirement.” A company or an individual identifies market needs. The company researches user behavior to create the groundwork for addressing the target audience's needs. Once the groundwork is laid, conceptualization or ideation begins. During this phase, ideas are discussed and an approach is determined. The next phase is design and prototyping. Once the approach is chosen, wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes are created to simulate the product. After the design and prototyping phase is completed, the product enters the development and testing phase. At this time, the product is tested and refined based on user feedback. Finally, the refined product is launched.

What is the role of the frontend developer in the product lifecycle?

To discuss the role of the front-end developer, we must first discuss UI/UX design. User experience (UX) refers to the overall experience a customer or user has when interacting with a product, system, or service. User interface (UI) refers to the visual appeal of an application. UI/UX designers design the product. Web developers create code that breathes life into the product.

What are the primary responsibilities of the developer throughout the product lifecycle?

The primary responsibility of a front-end developer is to translate the design into functional code. To achieve this, the front-end developer collaborates with the UI/UX designer at every stage of the process.

Initial stage: The company has identified the market need and is brainstorming ideas for the product. The front-end developer determines the feasibility of a prospective design based on the UX designers' proposed specifications and the project’s development process during the initial stage of the product.
Research/Analysis stage: UX/UI designers assess user needs by conducting surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, and in-person interviews
The front-end developers assist with research by suggesting questions to address features that will appear as part of the product. They may suggest questions to determine the hierarchy of user needs.
Design and prototyping phase- UX/UI designers sketch the wireframe, make design choices, and create interactive prototypes based on research findings. The front-end developer will review and initiate trials with the wireframes to ensure they are technically feasible. Front-end developers also provide feedback on designs that are practical and maintain a high-quality user experience.
During the testing and development phase, Research has been completed, prototypes have been made, tested, and revised, and the final design has been determined. Coding commences. The front-end developer creates the final user interface and builds and executes the designs according to them. Front-end developers use user feedback to improve the product. They determine the technical viability of any necessary adjustments from the UX/UI design team.
Finally, during the launch, front-end developers continuously monitor user interactions and feedback to inform future improvements. They modify sections as needed.

What are the impacts of front-end developers on the UX/Ui workflow?

According to Mark Coulstring, in his blog, "Do developers influence the UX more than designers?"
Designers create the look and feel of a website or app, but the developer makes the final decision. If something doesn’t meet the existing guidelines or the design is too complex, a developer will ask for an alternative.
Developers have the last say when it comes to building a mobile or web application.
If certain elements are too complex to incorporate, the developer will inform the designer that an alternative design must be created.
One of the many ways that developers can directly improve the experience is by creating user-centric design forms.
Developers influence the UX because they place restrictions on the elements that designers can use. Specific components will not function as the designer had envisioned, so an alternate must be chosen.
The developer usually determines mobile and web app animations incorporated into the user workflow, but not always.

What tools and skills are necessary for a front-end developer?

The list below is a summary of the basic skills that a front-end developer should have to execute their responsibilities in the UI/UX workflow

Front-end developers need to be aware of the newest libraries. Knowledge of the latest libraries allows developers to inform the design team about the complexities of specific design elements.
Wireframing- Front-end developers need to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed design and request alternatives.
Prototyping- Front-end developers help designers refine prototypes with their inputs.
CSS - CSS describes how HTML elements are to be displayed on screen, paper, or in other media
HTML is the standard markup language for creating Web pages. HTML describes the structure of a Web page
JavaScript or some programming language - JavaScript is a scripting or programming language that allows you to implement complex features on web pages

Takeaways

Creating beautiful, functional apps and websites is possible. To achieve this, front-end developers should be aware of the product's lifecycle, also known as the UX/UI workflow. They should be mindful of their role in this process and its impact on the product's outcome. Lastly, end developers should possess a working knowledge of the tools and skills required to execute their responsibilities within the UI/UX workflow.