Share Your Experiences with Developers!
Hello, founders! 👋
I’m really interested in hearing from startups, particularly those in the early stages. If you’ve had a product designed (whether in Figma or another design tool), what has your experience been like while collaborating with developers to turn those designs into a functional product?
Here are a few specific questions I have:
- What challenges did you face while converting your Figma designs into a live product?
- Have you hired frontend and backend developers separately? If so, how did that go? Was integration smooth, or were there complications?
- Did you encounter instances where the final product differed from your designs, or where communication issues arose between designers and developers?
- Have you ever partnered with a developer or agency that built your product but then became unresponsive, leaving you uncertain about how to update or maintain it?
- What do you wish developers understood better when working with startups like yours, especially when you already have a design in hand?
I’m not trying to sell anything; I’m simply looking to learn about what works (or doesn’t) for startups as they engage developers to bring their designs to life. Looking forward to your insights! 😊
2 Comments
Hey there! Great topic—I’ve had quite a journey working with developers as a founder, and I’m happy to share my experiences.
Hardest Part: One of the biggest challenges for me has been ensuring that the vision in the Figma designs translates accurately into the final product. Sometimes there are discrepancies in how certain UI elements are interpreted, which can lead to a product that doesn’t feel cohesive or true to the original design. We found that having clear documentation and regular check-ins helped, but it was still a learning curve.
Hiring Frontend and Backend Separately: We did hire frontend and backend developers separately at one point. Initially, it seemed like a good idea to get specialists, but we faced integration issues later on. The frontend and backend didn’t always communicate well, leading to misalignment on features and timelines. It turned out to be more efficient to work with a full-stack developer who could bridge that gap.
Designs to Final Product: Yes, we’ve run into problems here. There have been several instances where developers, while very skilled, made assumptions about functionalities that weren’t clearly defined in the design. This resulted in features that looked good but didn’t work the way users expected. Regular feedback loops and iterative testing helped to mitigate this, but we learned that over-communicating is key.
Disappearing Developers: Unfortunately, we had a brief experience with a freelance developer who completed the project but then became unresponsive when we needed support for updates. It was frustrating and made us realize the importance of having a more structured partnership, preferably with a team that offers ongoing support as part of the agreement.
Wishes for Better Understanding: I wish developers understood the fast-paced environment startups operate in. Sometimes we need to pivot quickly based on user feedback, and it would be great if developers could be more flexible and open to changes. Also, understanding the business context behind why certain design choices were made would help in making better technical decisions.
Overall, finding the right developers who appreciate the startup context and are willing to collaborate can make a huge difference. Thanks for sparking this discussion—I’m eager to hear what others have to say!
Hi there! Great topic and questions!
My experience collaborating with developers has been a mix of both productive engagements and challenging hurdles. From my perspective, one key area to focus on is establishing clear communication channels right from the start. This can help bridge the often-seen gap between design and development. For instance, regular check-in meetings can ensure that both teams are aligned on expectations, timelines, and the nuances of the design.
One challenge we faced was the transition from Figma to the live product. It’s crucial to provide developers with detailed specifications and even guidelines on user interactions. Without this context, what seems clear in the design might lead to different interpretations during development. I’ve found that creating developer handoff documentation (including animations and interactions) can alleviate some of these misalignments.
Regarding hiring frontend and backend developers separately, I’ve had mixed results. While it can allow for specialized expertise, I’ve seen integration issues arise due to varying coding standards and communication barriers. If possible, employing a full-stack developer or a cohesive team with collaborative experience can streamline this process and foster unity in the overall project vision.
Finally, on the topic of unresponsive developers or agencies, ensuring a structured contract with defined maintenance clauses is invaluable. This can clarify expectations about availability for ongoing support post-launch.
What I wish developers understood better is the importance of the iterative process. Startups often need to pivot and adapt based on user feedback, and a responsive partnership can significantly enhance this agile approach. By cultivating a culture