Benefits of having a designer that codes…

Sorry college design graduates… you should have taken a few programming classes before you walked away with your degree. But it isn’t too late… in fact, most of us never got to take those classes either. Although, it would probably be a good idea to head over to the bookstore to begin some new learning.

It is still amazing how many individuals like to separate coding and design into left and right brain activities and that if you are a designer, you are simply right-brained and you better stay away from writing code because you just won’t be any good at it. It is time to realize that we need more designers that write code. 

Design is about usability or rather the enticing of one to use and reuse a certain item or thing. Having a better understanding of what technical capabilities and limitations are with a given system will only enhance the design. As a designer, once you are able to understand a given set of limitations, that is when true inspiration and creativity can take place. 

As a small software shop, we definitely believe that designers should be able to code - even if it isn’t production quality code. The benefits far outweigh the negatives. Below are just a few benefits that we have found.

A designer that knows how to code…

Is more efficient in their design workflow. They are faster at creating their layouts and designs. In fact, every designer I have ever worked with that knew how to do some coding out produced their counterparts that knew no code not just by a little, but by a continual large amount.

Develops designs that resolve potential development headaches before they ever exist.

Allows the designer to “fine-tune” layout code so that the engineers are not “wasting” time. Image designs never fully translate - so get used to it. And if you want it to get close to your original design, either get a really patient developer or learn to code.

Has the ability to design and develop often at the same time - especially with similar and repeatable tasks. 

Understands that design is iterative. Your original design adapts and modifies throughout the process of development.

Is great at helping find bugs in code. Designers by nature have great attention to detail mindsets. 

Learns to use available coding assets and existing proven paradigms. 

Learns how to make developers very happy. (And by the same token… mad.)

Will ultimately develop products of greater value.