How to think like both a designer & engineer

Design and engineering are often seen as separate disciplines, but the best digital products come from a deep understanding of both worlds. Thinking like a designer and an engineer allows for better decision-making, smoother collaboration, and faster execution.

The Challenges of Bridging the Gap:

• Designers focus on usability, aesthetics, and user experience.

• Engineers focus on performance, scalability, and feasibility.

• The conflict? Designs that look amazing on Figma might be impractical to build, and engineers might overlook UX nuances that designers care about.

How to Think Like Both:

1. Learn the Basics of Both Disciplines:

• If you’re a designer, learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fundamentals.

• If you’re an engineer, dive into design principles, typography, and color theory.

2. Prioritize Feasibility Early On:

• When designing, consider how components will translate into reusable UI elements.

• When coding, respect the design intent and avoid unnecessary compromises.

3. Use Shared Tools & Processes:

• Design tokens bridge the gap between design and development.

• Component libraries in React (Storybook) or SwiftUI make collaboration smoother.

4. Communicate & Collaborate Constantly:

• Engineers should involve designers in implementation discussions.

• Designers should test real builds instead of just handing off Figma files.

The best digital experiences happen when design and engineering work as one team instead of two separate silos. Thinking like both a designer and an engineer isn’t just a skill—it’s a superpower.