Fort Myers Web Design: Tips on Bridging Gaps Between Designers and Developers
March 9 2011
Designers and developers often work in vastly different ways, with the former following the artistic impulse and the latter focusing on logic. A lot of projects, however, may require that they work together and adjust to each other’s different styles. When doing this, it is important to remember that both sides of the partnership are equally important. Designers and developers alike play essential and indispensable roles in the creation of a website, and a harmonious, symbiotic relationship between them is crucial to the project’s success. Here are a few pointers to help make the adjustment smoother and easier.
Portrayal of Ideas
One way to bridge the gap between these separate but interdependent fields is by sharing ideas with each other. This will help make sure that you’re all on the same page, with common goals and a clear idea of what the final outcome should be.
Communication enables the entire team to work cohesively, and it will propel you faster toward your objective. Designers are used to making visual presentations of what’s going on inside their imaginations, but it can be much harder for developers, who are working with codes and markup language that non-technicians may find difficult to understand. One way to get around this roadblock is for programmers to use flowcharts and diagrams to help the designers get a better grasp of the developers’ vision for the website. That way everyone can align their efforts with each other and avoid the frustrations of miscommunication.
Carefully Plan Deadlines
Deadlines seem to have an unpleasant reputation as a source of pressure and stress. But with the right attitude, deadlines can be your friend and not your enemy. When you know just how much time you have to work with, you can prioritize your tasks and avoid cramming, thus making sure that you’ll have enough time to polish the results.
Deadlines are especially important when you’re working with somebody else. If one person is late in accomplishing the task assigned to him, it affects the group’s over-all schedule. Not only that — it decreases the work performance as well, because everyone would have to rush to make up for lost time. Staying on schedule shows that you respect your colleagues, and it gives your clients a good impression as well, thus increasing the likelihood that they will hire you again.
Group Morale!
Whenever you bring two different groups of people together, there is a tendency for the “them versus us” mentality to develop. For a team composed of developers and designers to work together in harmony, this attitude must be avoided at all costs.
In forging a partnership between designers and programmers, it is important for each group to appreciate the value of the other’s contribution. An easy camaraderie in the workplace will create an atmosphere of openness where each one feels he or she can make suggestions or ask questions without being seen as silly or dumb. This will pay off in increased motivation, commitment, and enthusiasm for the job at hand. On the other hand, blame games and attitudes of superiority and selfishness will slow down the work and hinder the group from achieving excellence.
Ask Questions
A lot of misunderstandings can be avoided if only people asked for clarifications instead of blithely assuming that they already know the answer. Whether you’re working with just one partner or in a large group, keep in mind that the best and simplest way to get answers you need is to ask for them.
People sometimes hesitate to ask questions out of pride, shyness, or perhaps a reluctance to bother others. But remember — open communication dispels confusion and keeps the project moving at the right pace. How often have you experienced having to redo an entire stage of a project just because of a misunderstanding? This kind of snags helps no one, and can easily be avoided if things had only been cleared up from the start. So ask questions — ask your client, ask your coworkers, your consumers. You’ll be glad you did.
Be Respectful of Workspace Time
Each individual has his or her own preferred pace while working. Some would like to get started early and finish quickly, others start at a good speed then eventually slow down, while still others want to let their ideas simmer first before beginning the job. As long as they are able to complete the task by the agreed deadline, it is important to allow everyone, designers and developers alike, the proper amount of time to do their work.
Respecting your colleague’s workspace time means not hurrying him or her with her job just so you can start on your task. Remember to treat every part of the team with utmost professionalism, and when in doubt, it is better to err on the side of tact and diplomacy. An attitude of consideration shows that you value your colleague’s contribution to the project.
Related posts:
