Communication between two people, two teams, and two web design and development companies is good when both parties understand the content, context, and interpretations of each other’s messages.
For a web design and development agency, good communication is imperative between the same team members, seniors, and their subordinates and between different teams. UI and UX, designing and development teams, are the ones that usually work hand-in-hand and back and forth for projects. So, good communication between these teams is one of the pillars that make the website design and development project successful.
While UX and UI designers work independently, even in the best web design agencies, to accomplish the client’s UI and UX design requirements, their work is a stepping stone for the developers. UI UX design handoff to the development team done in the right way reduces the time consumed in repeat back-and-forth communication. It ensures the efficient and timely delivery of the project.
How do you hand over UI UX designs to developers & other stakeholders?
How to deliver UI UX design to developers?
There are multiple ways to prepare a UI UX design handoff for the developers. The idea is to make two teams communicate well. Their method doesn’t have to be universally acceptable. But, some general rules that are tried and tested in the industry are an excellent way to begin.
Checklist
Developers or project managers maintain a checklist for the UI UX designers to tick all the boxes. This makes sure that nothing gets missed or skipped in the process. Knowing you have everything allows you to focus on arranging assets in the flow.
Arranging the Assets
Each website page has its set of functionalities, assets, and mockups. Each page is connected to other pages through functionalities implemented on CTA buttons, ‘read more’ text or a menu item. See the connection between the functionalities, assets, and workflow. And if the entire page elements are not systematically arranged for the development team, they are confused. Much time is spent in back-and-forth communication with the UI and UX design team to know what’s what and where’s where.
The Flow
Sharing static mockups are good for single-page websites. But, when dealing with multiple pages, sharing random page mockups without the flow is incomplete sharing. The developers should have clarity on the connection between the pages. A collection of independent screens doesn’t do a good job.
Use UI UX Design Tools
Using UI UX design tools to align the company’s in-house processes is wise. It may take some time for the new members to learn the tool. However, with time, even the difficult-to-use tools become easy with continuous usage. Using tools to automate the UI UX design handoff process saves time. The tools ease the work for both teams. Some of these UI UX design tools are; Webflow, UXPin, Avocode, and Savah, among others.
Be Detailed
If the designs contain a complex function and visual effects that cannot be described through an asset, then be as detailed as you can for those effects. Share a GIF file for reference if you find a relevant one.
Remove The Clutter
UX UI designers build multiple versions for one page. They should send the finalized mockup design. Don’t leave room for ‘if’ for the developers. Send them only those assets that are used on the page. Giving them options and allowing them to decide will be time-consuming.
Naming the File
Home page final 1, Home Page Final 1-1, Home Page Final Last – a UX designer’s design walks through many file names until it is handed over to the development team. UI designers should name the file name correctly for easy understanding.
Does it matter what UX design tool a designer uses? What's the difference between using Figma, Sketch, Photoshop, XD?
Of all the features the UI designing tools offer, the UX developers use the limited ones relevant to their task to convert the page UI UX design into HTML CSS. Yet, they have their preferences based on the ease of use and what they expect from the UI/UX designing tool.
- Figma is OS-friendly, as it is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. The sketch is available for Mac and Adobe XD for Windows 10 and Mac.
- Figma and Sketch offer code export and sharing; however, Adobe XD doesn’t.
- Comments on the UI design for details are pinned on the design itself in Figma, on the preview in Sketch, and in Adobe XD.
- PNG, SVG, JPG, and other file types are exported in all the tools.
- Prototyping is integrated with Figma and Adobe XD but not with Sketch.
Let us know how you hand over UI UX designs to developers in your custom web design agency. Or what is your UX UI design handoff process in your custom web design company?
