Versatile software engineer with a background in .NET consulting and CMS development. Working on regaining my embedded development skills to get more involved with IoT opportunities.
I am mostly a backend dev, but am running into more and more situations where I need to mock-up content. I love pen and paper, but some people insist on something rendered. Is there a specific tool you would recommend for a developer with very limited design knowledge? Now I typically just write a site in HTML and throw some JS interactivity in, but I feel like thi is not a very efficient way.
Hi Scott, you are doing it already like I would. HTML, css and some javascript. If, and only If you want something more design-like, you can try Figma or Sketch and look for component libraries to drag and drop. But Nothing beats an usable prototype (html, css and javascript).
When I mockup for presentations, I usually follow this two options:
A) I always try to present mockups without styles, to focus on functionality and avoid people get distracted and start throwing opinions about colors and all that.
B) When point A doesn't work because, you alredy know, I use the exact technic but using clients photos and copy pasted texted from their webs, but I use crafted components to do a very quick actionable prototype.
The important thing is explaining before the presentation what's the purpose of what you are going to show / talk and what they are looking it's not final work by any means.
It's tricky but easy once you get the drill.
Freelancing is both very satisfiying and terrifying at the same time.
Versatile software engineer with a background in .NET consulting and CMS development. Working on regaining my embedded development skills to get more involved with IoT opportunities.
That made a lot of sense, thank you! I think I was hoping to find a magic tool where I wouldn't have to do work...front-end design is definitely not my favorite topic. All I can do is do it right the first time so I don't get stuck in remediation hell for half the project.
For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse
We're a place where coders share, stay up-to-date and grow their careers.
I am mostly a backend dev, but am running into more and more situations where I need to mock-up content. I love pen and paper, but some people insist on something rendered. Is there a specific tool you would recommend for a developer with very limited design knowledge? Now I typically just write a site in HTML and throw some JS interactivity in, but I feel like thi is not a very efficient way.
Hi Scott, you are doing it already like I would. HTML, css and some javascript. If, and only If you want something more design-like, you can try Figma or Sketch and look for component libraries to drag and drop. But Nothing beats an usable prototype (html, css and javascript).
When I mockup for presentations, I usually follow this two options:
A) I always try to present mockups without styles, to focus on functionality and avoid people get distracted and start throwing opinions about colors and all that.
B) When point A doesn't work because, you alredy know, I use the exact technic but using clients photos and copy pasted texted from their webs, but I use crafted components to do a very quick actionable prototype.
The important thing is explaining before the presentation what's the purpose of what you are going to show / talk and what they are looking it's not final work by any means.
It's tricky but easy once you get the drill.
Freelancing is both very satisfiying and terrifying at the same time.
I hope this answer helps! good luck!
That made a lot of sense, thank you! I think I was hoping to find a magic tool where I wouldn't have to do work...front-end design is definitely not my favorite topic. All I can do is do it right the first time so I don't get stuck in remediation hell for half the project.